Paraprofessionals Help Students, Teachers

Gov. Mark Dayton proclaimed the week of Jan. 16-20, 2012, as Paraprofessional Recognition Week.

Pam David has worked as a paraprofessional in Inver Grove Heights schools for over 23 years. She works with preschool children with special needs at .

Connie Schultz is a special education paraprofessional at – a role she’s had for the last six years after one year at South Grove Elementary. 

Paras, as they are known in the schools, "may work in a variety of positions in a school district including, but not limited to, instructional assistants, Title I paraprofessionals, pupil support assistants, special education paraprofessionals, job coaches, lunch room and playground assistants, hall monitors, and media center assistants," according to the Minnesota School Employees Association (MSEA.)

"Paras work under the direction of the teaching staff and implement programs designed by the teachers," Schultz explained. "We work within educational plans designed specifically for the students."

Unlike teachers, Ryan said, paras do not come up with educational plans, rather they execute the plan with the student.

"I assist, I follow their directions, I never take the lead," she said.

Many teacher assistants work primarily or exclusively with students who have special educational needs, according to MSEA. Their duties vary according to the needs of the student from physical assistance and care to behavioral management and academic assistance.

David said her work with preschoolers is important because it is focused on giving them skills they’ll use for the rest of the lives.

"Sit. Listen. Please, thank you. These are skills they’ll use for the rest of their lives," she said. "We put so much in place that they’ll be using for a really long time."

Colette Ryan is an occupational therapist and works with David at Salem Hills.

"She’s really good at her job – and she likes it, or she wouldn’t do it this long," Ryan said. "They’re (paras) with kids all the time, so they have to understand the kids and what their needs are. They’re with them in the classrooms and hallways and everywhere to help them be more functional."

Schultz, at the middle school level, has a slightly different responsibility.

"My role is to provide students with academic assistance. It is important to be able to work with a variety of students in different classrooms," she said.

David got a degree from in 1976 in early childhood education. After that she worked at a day care center, and then ran one out of her home. As her children got older she applied to work as a para in the schools in 1988.

"I love working with children. I always wanted to work with children with special needs. I just knew I would like that kind of work," she said. "I know I had a good day when I can see they learned something new."

Schultz also enjoys her work with older children.

"I especially enjoy working with the sixth- through eighth-grade population and watching them find their identity and transform into young adults. My position is particularly fulfilling when a student gets that ‘ah-ha’ look on their face when they grasp a concept on which we which we worked together. I feel very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to work for the school district in a profession that I find both challenging and rewarding.

She earned a degree in marketing and worked in sales before starting her family. When her own children started school is when she applied for a position at South Grove Elementary.

"The job opportunity allowed me to work similar hours and days as my children. I quickly found the profession personally satisfying," she said.

In Minnesota, paraprofessionals must meet specific locally developed requirements depending on the role and duties they are assigned.