Jordan Going

PARAEDUCATOR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

PARAEDUCATOR SURVIVAL KIT

Table of Contents

Classroom Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . so you have your procedures handy

School rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . so you know the school rules
Other classroom rules . . . . . . . . . . . . always good to know
Emergency: What to do. . . . . . . . . . . so that you are never surprised or panicking of
what to do
If your absent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .so you know what to do when you need to be
gone
Daily Schedule & Responsibilities . . .so you know your role in the classroom
Daily/Weekly Forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . to know what you need to fill out
Student Classroom Profiles . . . . . . . . so you will know the students you will be
helping to learn
School & Teacher Contact Info. . . . . . so you know who to ask your questions to

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
* Why do you want to be a paraeducator?
* What are the most important responsibilities that a paraeducator has?
* What kind of challenges do you believe you will face as a paraeducator, and how could you handle
them?
* Do you believe teamwork is required as a paraeducator?
* What do you know about behavior management?
* Tell me about a time you handled a stressful situation with a student or an emergency.

QUALIFICATIONS
* Positive Attitude
* Quick to follow directions
* Patient and willing to work with students on a variety of academic levels
* Helpful
* Flexibility with schedule and teaching

PARAEDUCATOR TRAININGS

I think part of the beauty of us being teachers being able to work with paraprofessionals, is we can work
and train with them according their needs, our needs, and classroom needs. With that being said, I
believe a good basis for training would be to have a specific weekly meeting time to go over all questions
and concerns and progress, as much can change in a classroom with week to week. Where there is time
and is appropriate for training, here are ten trainings I think would be most beneficial for a paraeducator
in a Special Education classroom:

1). Their role/responsibility and how to fulfill it.

2). School policies and specific classroom policies.

3). Using time wisely.

4). Paperwork responsibilities

5). Professionalism.

6). FERPA/Confidentiality within schools & IDEA.

7). How to get a sub.

8). Getting to know/working with students.

9). Assisting in teaching.

10). OTHER

ADVICE FOR PARAEDUCATORS

1. Like the kids - unconditionally

2. Be calm
3. Be organized
4. Be a team player
5. Be creative
6. Be knowledgeable
7. Know when to back of
8. Know when to step in
9. Have a positive attitude
10. Be as helpful as you can

A paraeducator is a teacher aide, teaching assistant, and classroom teacher. They should keep
communication flowing about what specifically their teacher wants them to do, and any meetings they
need to know about or attend. They should be familiar with the procedures the teacher uses in the
classroom, and also use those procedures and consequences as shown by the teacher. They should also
be familiar with the school and school rules. It is also very important for them to get to know their
students. These are the steps to being a successful paraeducator!