Paraeducator Roles and

Responsibilities Guidebook
 Index:

Five pieces of advice for defining roles and responsibilities with your para-educators
Para-Educator Survival Kit (And explanation)
Potential Interview questions for prospective para-educators
Desired para-educator qualifications
Guidelines for working with non-effective para educators
Weekly Training Schedule
Five pieces of advice for defining roles and
responsibilities with your paraeducators

1. Know your daily, weekly, monthly, yearly responsibilities

2. It is okay to not always know what to do, ask your support system.
3. You are part of a team, people rely on you.
4. Adhere to all laws (FERPA, LRE, and student privacy)
5. Choose to be kind.
Para-Educator Survival Kit (And explanation)

1. Starburst
When you need a burst of energy!
2. Toy Sailboat
Sometimes doing the right things means rocking the boat!
3. Rubber band
Stay flexible, life is so much easier that way!
4. Eraser
Its okay to make mistakes, life WILL go on!
5. Stickers
Welcome to the team, we stick together!
Potential Interview questions for prospective
paraeducators

How do you view education and its role in a persons life?

How is learning and teaching part of your personal life?
Do you prefer to work in a team or on your own? Explain.
What are the steps you take to resolve something that is bothering you in your work
environment?
How do you view students who struggle to learn or struggle to behave in socially
acceptable ways?
Guidelines for working with non-effective
para educators

Notify the principal immediately if there is any possible abuse.

Verbalize unacceptable behavior to para-educator.
Lessen possible negative student impact by removing para-educator from working directly
with students until a plan of action is set into place.
Create a plan of action (i.e. termination, probation, warning, goals to improve).
Follow through with plan of action and be consistent in its implementation to ensure the
best care for students.
Desired paraeducator qualifications

Exemplary communication and interpersonal skills.

A degree or certification in education or related field.
Display a modern understanding of the role of special education.
Ability to carry out designated tasks and expectations.
Alter ones teaching according to the needs of a student or group of students.
Training Week 1

Becoming Part of the classroom

Classroom procedures (schedules, rewards systems,
rules, chain of command)
Student/Teacher observations and what to be looking
for.
How to build relationships (Students/co-workers)
Who to ask what questions to and when.
Training Week 2

Responsibilities/Expectations
Student well-being/Privacy/FERPA
How to carry out a lesson plan as specified.
Teach with care (i.e. give strategies for what works with students in
your classroom)
Training Week 3

Continue to Grow
Create a personal mission statement
Setting career oriented goals
Any and all remaining questions/comments