Paraprofessional

A paraprofessional, also referred to as an aide, instructional assistant, or paraeducator, is in the classroom to provide direct, individualized educational and/or behavioral/social support for all learners under the supervision of a general education teacher, or an intervention specialist/special education teacher. For example, if a student who is deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) missed part of the teacher’s instruction, the paraprofessional could clarify those instructions or notify the teacher or interpreter. A paraprofessional could also assist students who are D/HH with access to group discussions. Ideally, the student learns to access education and information with as much independence as possible. The role of the paraprofessional is to support the student as he or she learns to access educational information independently.

Want to learn more about paraprofessionals?
See Paraprofessionals: Who They Are and What They Do (understood.org)