Special Education Paraprofessional

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

An individual who holds this position must:

Assist students with disabilities according to their individualized needs, including transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting, or positioning

Assist students with physical care including feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene

Assist in managing the behavior of students

Keep the teacher informed of any special needs or problems of individual students

Maintain confidentiality of information about children and their families in accordance with Board policy and law

Participate in staff development training programs, faculty meetings and special events as requested by administration

Help supervise arrival and departure of students to which he or she is assigned.

Follow instructions from teachers and administrators

Data collection as required by teacher and administrators

Small group remediation as directed

Education Requirements: There are four pathways available for candidates interested in becoming a Paraprofessional.

1) Complete 60 hours of college credit

2) Have an Associate's Degree or higher

3) Pass the Paraprofessional Assessment - Para Praxis

4) Complete 20 hours of online training through DESE - Register for an online training course here. There is a $99 registration fee. The online training title does not reference paraprofessionals, and is called Substitute Teacher Training. Substitute Teacher Training has been designated as an allowable qualification for paraprofessionals in the state of Missouri.