What is a paraeducator?
Paraeducators work alongside LPS teachers assisting students throughout the school day.
Who might be a good fit to become a paraeducator?
Anyone with a genuine passion for supporting others in an educational setting! We’ve had paras who have been stay-at-home parents, retirees, aspiring future educators, college students and independent contractors.
What are the responsibilities of paraeducators?
- Help with academic and social-emotional learning.
- Assist students one-on-one or in small groups with lessons.
- Help students reach academic goals and grade-level standards.
- Provide care and support for students with disabilities.
- Communicate with teachers and staff.
What are the requirements to become a para?
- Education: High school diploma or G.E.D. (general education diploma).
- Desired Experience: Experience working with children preferred.
- Other Requirements: Good skills in the following areas: oral/written communication, interpersonal skills, ability to follow instructions and take initiative.
- Certification for Title I Buildings: Requires at least 48 credit hours (semester) or associate’s degree. Individual job postings will communicate Title I status.
- Additional Early Childhood Requirements: Must have 12 credit hours of undergraduate or graduate courses in child development, early childhood education or the equivalent.
What are the different types of paraeducator roles?
Secured Entrance Monitor (SEM) Paraeducators
Duties include monitoring students and visitors entering and exiting the building along with other assignments pertaining to secured entry, such as documentation. Additional duties will involve data entry and record keeping for building programs.
General Education Paraeducators
Assist students in an individual or small group setting with instructional classwork at the supervision of a teacher. Assist with daily supervision at the discretion of the building administrator. Prepare materials for students and families at the direction of the teacher or administrator.
Early Childhood Paraeducator
Paraeducators assigned to the Early Childhood program will work with 3- and 4-year-old children in a learning and social environment. Duties include assisting in the classroom, breakfast and lunch setup/cleanup and facilitating learning, play and self-help activities. Paras also assist teachers in implementation of Individual Education Programs (IEPs) for children below age five who have verified disabilities. Paraeducators are assigned non-teaching duties which include a wide variety of activities.
Special Education Paraeducators
This position will assist students with high special needs including behavioral and autism. Assignments may require providing individual support for a student. Must be flexible, able to take initiative, able to follow directions and instructional plans and be a team player.
Job benefits
- Make a difference in your community through your work.
- Qualify for competitive health insurance, pension, generous leave and other benefits by working part-time (at least 17.5 hours per week) or full-time as a LPS employee.
- Enjoy a schedule that is perfect for family life. Work when your children are at school. Be present after school when they are home. Partial-day and full-day opportunities are available.
- Earn up to $1,000 (net) by referring others to become paras at LPS.
- Eligible paras can take advantage of many tuition reimbursement opportunities.
Paraeducator Substitutes
If you’re looking for a more flexible option, we encourage you to apply to become a substitute para. Substitute paraeducators help fill our daily paraeducator vacancies around the district.
As a substitute paraeducator, you have the power to choose what days you are available, what buildings you want to work in and what types of assignments you want to take (special education, early childhood, etc.).
Our substitute paraeducator vacancies range from a few hours a day to multiple days (including long-term substitute assignments), so there is something for everyone and every schedule. Our substitute paraeducators are vital to the successful staffing of our buildings. They create consistency for students when regularly-assigned paraeducators have to be gone.
