What is a paraeducator?
Schools have many non-certified staff to support the education of the students enrolled. Paraeducator is the term used to describe non-certified staff that support student learning. Paraeducators are employed to assist and be directed by certified staff. The role is known by different terms in different schools such as aid, teacher assistant, support teacher, and paraprofessional. The prefix “para” comes from the Greek meaning “alongside.” When we look at other professions like the legal (paralegal) and the medical field (paramedic), the term paraeducator seems natural. This also helps to give one standard name to the role and helps to professionalize this very important role.
