I guess I need to explain "What is a para"
@GardenGerty (169448)
United States
May 31, 2022 8:53pm CST
In a previous discussion I learned that the job title "paraprofessional" or "paraeducator" is not as commonly understood as I have been assuming. I am glad people brought it to my attention by asking. Sorry for just assuming people knew what it was.
The prefix "para' means half, or partial. I am an educator; I work under a supervising teacher, but I do not have teaching certification. I happen to have quite a bit of college, and experience, but not enough for a degree.
I provide classroom support for students with disabilities. They can be mild, or invisible, like the student I will be with in Driver's Ed.He has a learning disability that keeps him from reading and processing language to some extent. I can read some of the materials to him. I take notes while he takes notes and he can look on my notes as well as his own.
The disabilities can be massive, like the student I have been caring for in the school year. He is totally dependent, does not speak, or walk. Wears diapers. I make sure he gets all his therapies, physical therapy, speech, occupational and visual therapies.
My students are sometimes on the autism spectrum and can be communication challenged, plus have health issues like food allergies and juvenile diabetes. Like the student I used to ride the bus with.
I have worked with and supported students who have behavior or emotional issues, too.
A para is not the same as a classroom aide. A classroom aide or teacher's aide does provide extra help in classroom management, but also does a lot of clerical stuff and materials preparation. Paras only work with the students.
Just as a paramedic is not usually a nurse or doctor, a paraeducator is not a teacher, but we do as much of the job as is in our scope of training.
There may be some other "para" jobs out there. I would not be surprised.
22 people like this
20 responses
@Deepizzaguy (122105)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
1 Jun 22
Thank you for explaining what a person does with the para attached to their line of work.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
1 Jun 22
Yes, they are usually people who work under a supervisor to provide similar services.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (122105)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
1 Jun 22
@GardenGerty Thanks for the information.
1 person likes this
@erictsuma (9725)
• Mombasa, Kenya
1 Jun 22
I also had know idea but now I understand what it means. Your job is good although it's very demanding but it is also satisfying. Thanks for sharing
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
1 Jun 22
You are right, it can be demanding. I should have explained sooner, i guess.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (230334)
• Chile
1 Jun 22
You do a lot of work as a paraeducator, a lot more that what they do in my country. In my country, people with massive disabilities are not even called students but if they are not in their houses they are in special institutions.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
1 Jun 22
I have also worked as a "Direct Support Professional" for the adult disabled who are in their own homes in a group home setting. Used to tutors were offered to the disabled student. My student in Driver's Ed does not appear disabled. You would only know he has some difficulty if you asked him to read something and then do an assignment or test. He will be fine in a regular setting as an adult.
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
1 Jun 22
Yes, I did not think of paralegal. Educational Assistant sounds about right. The job is to assist the student, not the teacher.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
1 Jun 22
Some days it requires more than others, but I can remember even as a child wanting to be their friend.
2 people like this
@Kouponkaren (5497)
• United States
1 Jun 22
That was a very good explanation of what a "para" is. I knew because I have worked in the social work/education field for a long time. I used to be a substitute teacher but I could also sub for paras and although those jobs didn't pay as well as the substitute teacher jobs, the para jobs with kids on the autism spectrum were my favorite.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
1 Jun 22
Actually I have enough experience and college hours that I make more than a substitute teacher. However I would take a pay cut to be a substitute para.
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
2 Jun 22
We like to learn a lot on this site.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
2 Jun 22
Good. After one of my discussions it did become evident that not everyone does know it.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128831)
• Gainesville, Florida
1 Jun 22
Great explanation of what a para is. Made it much easier for people to understand, especially those that aren't familiar with the term. I've worked with paraprofessionals many times over the course of my career, so I am familiar with the term and what it means.
Pretty impressive resume you have there working with children with disabilities. It's too bad they can't give you a degree based on your years of experience in the field!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
2 Jun 22
They are actually offering an opportunity to work in a mentored internship to become a special education teacher. There are several different routes to take. Our district and many others are short of teachers, especially special education teachers. Partly due to burnout, partly because the generation that has filled so many of our teaching positions is aging out of the workforce. At this time we are working short of a special ed administrator at the Cooperative level--five districts working to provide services to students who have special needs. In our building we are short three positions right now.. We had three new teachers who only worked one year, due to not filling the specialized position. I am too old to want to be a teacher.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128831)
• Gainesville, Florida
2 Jun 22
@GardenGerty I know it’s got to be tough being short on specialized positions. I know what you’re saying about being too old to want to be a teacher. I get asked every day by recruiters and people I know who want me to come work for them in upper management leadership positions. I have no interest in pursuing any of that these days. I already worked a ful career; I don’t want to do it all over again.
@aninditasen (18198)
• Raurkela, India
1 Jun 22
Well explained. We don't have paraeducators in every school in India. The children with disabilities have to go to a different school not where all go.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
2 Jun 22
At certain ages or levels our disabled students do go to a centralized school or classroom. We have laws that do require them to be included as much as is feasible in a regular classroom setting.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (18198)
• Raurkela, India
2 Jun 22
@GardenGerty I think India should also follow the same principle. This would help such children to grow up normally.
@LindaOHio (222285)
• United States
1 Jun 22
Thank you for explaining about the job of a para. You are quite valuable in the job world.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
2 Jun 22
Oh, you are welcome. I feel like it made a good post to share.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
4 Jun 22
There is a lot of need for my work.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
1 Jun 22
Thank you for explaining it. I was one of those who asked about it. Sounds more like an assistant teacher here in our school. But assistant teachers are with less experience but do have a certification. They just assist a senior teacher for few years to gain experience.
Your job sounds so noble. I am a special educator and counselor. And I know how rewarding this job can be
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
2 Jun 22
I have enjoyed exchanging ideas with you in the past. I remember that you had a student that you would wrap in a scarf to calm them, etc. I always feel you are a calm and understanding teacher.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
2 Jun 22
@GardenGerty Thank you. I follow the child..If you observe the child without prejudices and assuming that there is intelligence and potential, you will find a way to help the child and bond with him.
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
2 Jun 22
Generally I love what I do but I do get very tired. We have had a lack of good leadership for about three years.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
2 Jun 22
@GardenGerty That is too bad to hear. You are appreciated.
@BarBaraPrz (51811)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
1 Jun 22
You'd think people could figure that out for themselves, having been exposed to para-medics and para-legals...
Though, come to think of it, para-chute doesn't really compute. 
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
2 Jun 22
Paraplegic, is another para. Means lacking the use of two limbs. I think people like to hear it straight on from the people involved.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
1 Jun 22
Yes it is rewarding to see them succeed.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
1 Jun 22
A student like that might be given oral tests or someone to scribe for them. Our human minds are so interesting.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
1 Jun 22
Some one else pointed out we also have paralegals. I enjoy what I do and I like the variety.
1 person likes this
@solidcodes (1798)
• Philippines
1 Jun 22
Well, In our country Philippines.
PARA means to stop the vehicle from moving.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
1 Jun 22
I can see why I might be confusing to some. I think we have a lot of people from the Philippines here.
1 person likes this
@Beestring (15373)
• Hong Kong
1 Jun 22
Thank you. Now I know what "para" means.
1 person likes this
