Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 4: Cultivating Interest in Special Education
• Part 2 of 4: Choosing an educational path
• Part 3 of 4: Finding a Job as a Paraprofessional
• Part 4 of 4: Focusing on Special Education
• Tips
• What do you need

The paraprofessional assists the licensed professional in carrying out his daily duties. This position is common in public schools, where paraprofessionals supervise classes and give attention to one-on-one students with disabilities. Find out more about the steps you need to take to become a paraprofessional.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Cultivating Interest in Special Education

1. 1 Develop a practice of working with children. Many paraprofessionals start out as babysitters and daycare workers. Others, as parents of young children, want to work with other young children.
2. 2 Master the basics of paperwork. Attend basic computer, typing, or cursive writing classes. Nearly all paraprofessionals are required to write reports, oversee disciplinary matters, and perform administrative tasks for teachers.
3. 3 Rely on your personal experience. Paraprofessionals who have specialized training may have some experience working with people with mental or physical disabilities. A personal connection can help you understand the value of this role.

Part 2 of 4: Choosing an educational path

1. 1 Get your high school diploma or general education certificate. This is the minimum education required for paraprofessionals.
2. 2 Sign up for a certification program. If you know where you are going to work, call your local school district and ask if there is training for people interested in the paraprofessional position. If they do, then apply for the program.
3. 3 Enroll in a local college. Aim for an associate's degree in assistant teaching, assistant special education, early intervention, or other discipline.
4. 4 Only become a paraprofessional after completing a 4-year degree. If you need to work in school, you can apply for a paraprofessional position while you qualify for a special teacher education or program administrator.
   • You can apply for a paraprofessional position after graduation. Some states require you to pass an advanced training exam or wait 2 years after graduating from high school.
5. 5 Skip further education and take a state-run local assessment. If you have a wealth of experience working with children with disabilities or in a teaching environment, you can study on your own and try to be assessed at a local school.
   • The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requires you to complete 2 years of tertiary education (60 credits) with an associate's degree or local assessment.
   • The school district in which you work may have additional restrictions on what position you can apply for. Call there before you choose the trajectory you intend to follow.

Part 3 of 4: Finding a Job as a Paraprofessional

1. 1 Call your local school districts. Find out about the vacancies you can apply for.
2. 2 Look for vacancies between April and August. This is the time when schools renew contacts and open vacancies. Some schools will need replenishment for next fall semester.
3. 3 Apply for a part-time job. From time to time, paraprofessionals have to work in one or more positions part-time, depending on the need for specialized paraprofessionals.
4. 4 Be flexible. Take on any professional's job while you await a special education position. You may be asked to help an elementary school teacher, supervise a computer lab, work with preschool children, be an administrative assistant, or watch a playground.
5. 5 Discuss job changes with the school district. Many schools promote people to new positions within the team. Ask if there is a vacancy for a special education position before the end of the school year.

Part 4 of 4: Focusing on Special Education

1. 1 Look for programs to help you become a professional in the future. Most states offer conferences and certification programs that provide information on working with people with autism, deafness, blindness, learning disabilities, mobility, and developmental disabilities. Complete such a program during the summer or while on vacation from work.
2. 2 Learn planning for study material, administrative work, or other responsibilities to increase your payroll. In the US, paraprofessionals with special education earn between $ 17,000 and $ 39,000. The more experience and responsibilities you are able to cover, the higher your salary will be.
3. 3 Join the program to earn your teacher certification. Some states, such as Texas, provide paraprofessionals with more than 45 community college credits to pursue education training to improve their qualifications.

Tips

• Request an admission study aid program at any local college or university. Some schools help teachers improve their qualifications by covering a portion of the tuition costs.
• Take a look at the Office of Special Education Programs (OSS). Some programs are subsidized or assisted by trained paraprofessionals and teachers.

What do you need

• High school diploma / high school diploma
• Teaching license