How To Become a Paraprofessional
If you’re interested in becoming a paraprofessional, there are a variety of ways to do so. You can start by getting an associate’s degree or certificate from a community college or vocational school. After you’ve completed this program, you’ll be qualified for many entry-level positions in the field.
If you want to advance your career, you may want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in education or another related field. This will give you more opportunities for advancement and higher pay as well as the ability to teach students at all levels.
Some states require paraprofessionals to have certain qualifications before they can work with children or adults with disabilities or mental illnesses. These qualifications vary by state but typically include having an associate’s degree or certificate from an accredited program and passing a background check and drug test.
How To Become Paraprofessional
Paraprofessionals assist qualified and licensed professionals in their role. They typically work in the education industry in a role such as a teaching assistant or in law as a paralegal. If you’re interested in working in the education field but don’t want to spend the time and money to earn a teaching qualification, becoming a paraprofessional may be a good career option for you. In this article, we answer the question, ‘What is a paraprofessional?’ and share more information about these types of roles, including their job duties, skills, salary information and how to become one.
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What is a paraprofessional?
A paraprofessional is someone who doesn’t meet the qualification requirements to practice in their field at the highest capacity. Paraprofessionals typically work alongside and assist other professionals who have the full credentials to perform advanced roles in their field. Teaching assistants are among the most common type of paraprofessionals. Teaching assistants work closely with students and teachers and help manage classrooms, but don’t necessarily have a teaching degree.
What do paraprofessionals do?
Paraprofessionals in the teaching industry may perform various job tasks depending on the needs of the teachers and students. Generally, teaching assistants complete the following tasks:
- reinforcing lessons by reviewing the set material with students individually or in small groups
- helping teachers with conducting lessons and developing materials
- enforcing the school’s rules and regulations
- helping teachers track attendance and mark tests
- setting up equipment or getting material ready to help teachers prepare for lessons
- supervising students throughout the school day or on field trips
- assisting teachers in tracking students’ progress during the school year and creating reports to let parents understand what their children are learning
- empowering students through programmes that help them enhance their social and academic achievements
- acting as an encouraging and nurturing influence for students during lessons
- monitoring the classroom and minimising distractions and disruptions
Paraprofessionals in the education industry might also provide support for specific students with behavioural issues or disabilities. This can help ensure that the child has access to the necessary materials and assistance to succeed in class.
Related: 9 common teacher assistant interview questions and example answers
How to become a paraprofessional
Here is a suggested route to becoming a paraprofessional in education:
1. Finish secondary school
The educational requirements for paraprofessionals can vary. Paraprofessionals are typically required to have at least completed their GCSEs. While in secondary school, you may benefit from taking relevant subjects such as psychology or observing in special needs classes. This can help you explore topics you might encounter as a teaching assistant and prepare you for the job.
To succeed in your chosen field, it’s helpful to begin training as soon as possible. Tutor or work with students in small groups to become familiar with the job’s most vital tasks. You may also consider looking for local volunteer opportunities, which may be found at libraries or nurseries.
2. Complete a college education
Though many paraprofessional opportunities don’t require a university degree, earning one can help you gain an advantage in the job market. Foundation degree programmes can prepare you for a range of supportive roles in the classroom. Many undergraduate paraprofessional programmes focus on primary and secondary education, though some provide training in early childhood education. You could also seek education and training in areas such as childcare or nursery management.
The educational requirements to be a paraprofessional can depend on your location and the type of industry in which you want to work. Because of this, it’s important to consider where you’d like to work and research the specific requirements of that employer.
Related: How to become a special education teacher
3. Obtain training or experience
Most paraprofessional positions require you to undergo on-the-job training, as it’s necessary to become familiar with the operations, protocols and requirements of where they work. Teaching assistants may also be asked to learn the pedagogical practices of the teachers they assist.
If you want to work as a special education paraprofessional, you may be required to complete specialised post-secondary training. You might want to obtain a bachelor’s or foundation degree in paraprofessional education for students with special needs. Areas of study in these programmes may include counselling techniques, overcoming mathematical difficulties, speech and language development, clinical practice and child psychology. Many of these programmes also require you to undertake some field or clinical experience.
What skills do paraprofessionals need?
Successful paraprofessionals have many qualifications and skills. Flexibility, patience and genuinely caring for students and their success are all necessary qualities for paraprofessionals. As they help lead teachers with lesson planning, development of learning materials and equipment setup, they are required to be familiar with the content standards for all subjects at the level they teach.
Read more: 14 essential teacher skills
Benefits of becoming a paraprofessional
There are several benefits to becoming a paraprofessional, including:
Fewer education requirements
Because paraprofessionals don’t have professional licenses, you can follow this career path without having to pursue extensive educational requirements. Even though you may want to earn additional certifications, many people can work as paraprofessionals with a foundation degree or Higher National Diploma (HND). Having fewer education requirements may be a more cost-efficient option for beginning your career, as a two-year degree or diploma programme typically costs less than a full bachelor’s.
Individualised approach
Becoming a paraprofessional in the education industry allows you to have a more individualised approach to education. This is because as a teaching assistant, you can focus on the students who need additional assistance in their learning. In some cases, you may only work with one student in the case of a disability or behavioural issue. This can allow you to form a deeper connection with the student and it provides you with the opportunity to develop a personalised learning plan for them.
Faster career start
Because there are typically fewer educational requirements, you can become a paraprofessional more quickly than you would become a full professional. This can help you increase your earning potential by joining the workforce earlier. This may be of most benefit for those who are eager to start their career and don’t want to pursue a job with a lengthy training period.
Less responsibility
As a paraprofessional, you have multiple job duties and can have a large impact on the people you work with without having the responsibilities of a full professional. This can help reduce job-related stress and allow you to have more freedom with your work. As mentioned, teaching assistants typically work with fewer students and have help available if they’re responsible for larger classes. This can help your job duties as a paraprofessional feel more manageable.
How much do paraprofessionals earn?
According to Indeed, paraprofessionals earn an average salary of £30,462 per year. A paraprofessional’s salary can depend on a variety of factors, including their location, educational background, experience level, employer and job title. Typically paraprofessionals who hold more qualifications, such as a bachelor’s degree or a specific certification, can earn more than those who don’t. To help you understand the range of earning potential you can expect as a paraprofessional, consider the salary data for these similar job titles:
- Paraeducator: £14,240 per year
- Instructional assistant: £47,981 per year
- Teaching assistant: £71.71 per day
- Teacher’s aide: £23,318 per year
Other career fields for paraprofessionals
Paraprofessionals are categorised by the field in which they work. Although teaching assistants are the most common type, paraprofessionals may also work in industries such as:
Law
Paraprofessionals who work within the legal profession are known as paralegals. A paralegal assists lawyers and other professionals within the field research laws and helps provide additional insight into cases. Paralegals don’t take a bar examination and can’t practise law by themselves, but find work in law firms. They usually have a bachelor’s degree and can specialise in a certain type of law work, including areas such as environmental, family and criminal law.
Related: How to become a paralegal
Health care
Paraprofessionals within the healthcare industry may hold various job titles, such as a home health aide or an orderly, but mainly perform the same tasks. These paraprofessionals assist nurses and doctors by handling care tasks, such as bathing, feeding and comforting patients. They may also help supervise patients and assist medical professionals in administering medications. Health care paraprofessionals can have a range of qualifications. Many have certifications in medical topics such as first aid. Some positions only require you to have completed secondary school.
