- Provide instructional reinforcement of lesson plans under the direction of the classroom teacher
- Serve as a positive, nurturing guide that empowers students through their academic and social development
- Support teachers in delivering high-quality education by assisting with classroom management and lesson delivery
- Attend to students' physical, personal, academic, and emotional needs with compassion and professionalism
- Model professional and ethical standards when interacting with students, parents, staff, and community members
- Contribute to student success by tracking progress and communicating effectively with parents and school officials
Objectives
Responsibilities
- Assist teachers with conducting lessons, managing the classroom, and developing instructional materials
- Co-teach lesson components by leading small-group and individual discussions and reviewing classwork
- Work with students individually and in groups during lessons to reinforce learning concepts
- Organize classroom and teaching materials, and minimize distractions and disruptions during instruction
- Supervise students in and out of the classroom, including during extracurricular activities and school functions
- Track student progress during the school year and create reports to communicate learning outcomes to parents
- Perform clerical duties such as tracking student attendance, typing, filing, photocopying, and grading tests and homework
- Work with computers and specialized AV equipment to make resources available during lessons
- Participate in lesson planning sessions and communicate with parents and school officials when necessary
- Ensure the upkeep of educational materials, equipment, and supplies
- Assist teachers in counseling parents on the requirements and development of their children
- Review and implement student Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) when working with special needs students
Required Skills & Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED
- Associate's degree or successful completion of the ParaPro PRAXIS test
- Experience working with children in an educational setting
- Strong verbal and written communication skills with adults and children
- Understanding of basic principles of childhood development
- Ability to demonstrate patience, compassion, and empathy when dealing with students
- Excellent organizational and classroom management skills
- Flexibility and adaptability to changing classroom demands and daily tasks
- Professionalism when representing the school and interacting with the school community
Preferred Skills & Qualifications
- Associate's degree (or equivalent) in Early Childhood Development, Education, or related liberal arts program
- Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Development, Education, or another liberal arts program
- Experience working with special needs students
- Previous teaching experience for elementary school students
- Experience as a substitute teacher for K-6 students
- Current teaching license or comparable certification
- Recent first aid and CPR certifications
- Familiarity with learning management systems and other educational software
- Experience with language translation services for multilingual learners
- Willingness to proactively look for ways to support teachers and students
Download Free Paraprofessional Job Description
Get a professionally crafted job description template for paraprofessional roles. Our comprehensive PDF includes objectives, responsibilities, and required qualifications.
What Does a Paraprofessional Do?
A paraprofessional assists teachers with classroom instruction, supports students with their learning needs, manages classroom materials, and supervises students to help create an effective educational environment. They work closely with licensed teachers to reinforce lesson concepts, provide individualized attention to students, and ensure classroom activities run smoothly throughout the school day.
Organizations need paraprofessionals because teachers cannot always provide the individualized attention that diverse learners require. Paraprofessionals bridge this gap by working with small groups or individual students, particularly those with special needs or language barriers, while the teacher focuses on whole-class instruction. They also handle administrative and organizational tasks that free teachers to concentrate on curriculum planning and instruction.
An effective paraprofessional needs strong communication skills to interact with students, parents, and staff, along with patience and compassion for working with diverse learners. They must also possess organizational abilities to manage classroom materials and clerical duties, flexibility to adapt to changing daily demands, and a solid understanding of child development principles to support students appropriately.
What Are the Responsibilities of a Paraprofessional?
The responsibilities of a paraprofessional are to assist teachers with instruction, support students' learning and development, and maintain organized classroom operations.
Paraprofessional duties include co-teaching lessons by leading small-group discussions, working one-on-one with students who need extra support, and supervising students both inside and outside the classroom. They also handle administrative tasks such as tracking attendance, grading assignments, organizing materials, and preparing progress reports that communicate student development to parents.
Understanding these core responsibilities helps hiring managers ask relevant interview questions that identify candidates who can effectively support teachers, nurture student growth, and contribute to a productive learning environment.
Next Step
Get Paraprofessional Interview Question Templates
Expert-crafted questions to evaluate paraprofessional candidates effectively