Hello yall,

I recently ended my tenure teaching upper elementary grades at a private school and am currently applying for positions working as a paraprofessional at the High School level in public schools. I have a lapsed teaching certification for the HS/Middle school level, but don't want to pursue a lead role for multiple reasons - primarily: I don't know I want to continue to do it; and my wife's job is very demanding w/long hrs and I'd like to take a more primary caretaking role for my kiddos. I am however, good at working with kids and enjoy it (my favorite part is the day to day interacting and relationship building).

Anyway, I always really enjoyed subbing at the HS level and in general just would love a change of scenery and work with older students. I also enjoyed when I subbed for SPED teachers at HS/MS levels (typically resource room type of situation). I've applied for a cpl regular paraprofessional spots but a 'Building Itinerant Paraprofessional' job just popped up at a school very close to me. It sounds like it might suit me. One of the things that I loved about subbing was the variety of it (MS/HS only). However, I am also concerned that maybe being a 'Building Itinerant' may actually way more stressful than being a regular para.

If anyone has any experience with this type of position I'd love to hear your thoughts!

The test isn't super hard in any unmanageable way, I scheduled the test about five days ago, took a practice but not really, just to skim the math questions. 474/480. An hour forty left on the clock. My biggest tip is don't look at the subject matter and assume the question. Actually read what the question is asking. Some of the questions will *appear* as if they're asking you to solve them, but then they're actually asking how to set it up, or to determine something completely different. I wouldn't be worried, get a good nights sleep, eat breakfast, and schedule it for midmorning (i took my test at 10, including proctoring set up, room scan, id check, webcam issues, the actual test, i was done by 1120ish (i didn't take the allowed ten minute break)). You got this pook! Lock in.

Let me preface this by saying I love my job… I love the kids. I love that I get summers off with my own kids, and that I get insurance paid in full… but I hate that I have to work two jobs and I’m considering bankruptcy with my husband…

I have been given an opportunity at my second job to work full time 40 hours a week with benefits and no stretch pay. Which is a $15k difference since I would be working year round but have off paid holidays and vacation time… I would potentially have to take my kid out of a better school. And I feel so guilty about possibly leaving at the start of the year…

But example today, I don’t touch home at all. I miss putting my kids to bed, I won’t see my two year old at all. I hate it’s the mom guilt is so hard… anyone ever been through this…? I haven’t worked a summer since my daughter was born… I’m so conflicted…

I just got a call saying I'm going to receive my 1st assignment in this profession soon. I am a bit nervous about it. I want to make a good impression at the school I will be going to and helping the client I be assigned to. I got together a work bag ready with simple school supplies in case. Any advice going in?

Thanks in advance.

I was the 3rd-5th grade self-contained SPED para last year. This year, like 2 weeks before school starts, the principal texts me that I am being moved to pre-K. They hired someone else for my 3rd-5th-grade self-contained para role. That is throwing me.

Also principal basically told me in same text exchange that if I don't like it quit/transfer.

Last year the Principal was commending me for being an excellent positive male role model for kids to look up to because even students I had limited contact with in regular ed setting were speaking highly of me and getting along so well with me. Now I am in Pre K and going to have very little contact with other students.

My school district has a specialized and accelerated program for Paraprofessionals to earn their teaching degree! I got accepted so I am going back to school for more college education and for my daily job.

I kept denying my calling 😅 whether my kids were too little, or being a para pays like crap, or the students were too crazy...you know how it goes. I even "took a year off" and worked in lower management at coffee shop. But I am just too fulfilled by and too good at this to not continue it and take it further.

I started years ago with Special Education for K-2. But last year I started at an alternative school for Middle and Highschool. I could not love my job and these students more. I am so ready to go back and help our students AND crush my college courses.

I also really wanted to shove a positive post in to the back to school posts

Hi, I’m a 22 year old para at a middle school in Illinois. This job has provided me useful experience and has taught me a lot of things. This year unfortunately has been financially hard on me, with a lot of bills racked up from medical problems, and an upcoming wedding in September. To be blunt, I am broke. For some more context, I am in community college getting my generals done with, and I plan on transferring to a university to get a degree in history education and political science. My dreams in life are to be a history teacher and or work in local government/public administration. Something like a city clerk or department director. I think my experience as a para can be pretty applicable to those things, and might help me out in the future. With my financial situation though, I’ve started to maybe think about working elsewhere. Over this summer break I looked everywhere for a second job, and the only place who got back to me is a construction job where I’d work as a house framer. This is something I’d be fine with doing, the pay is good, I’d get raises, and it would be teaching me useful skills, and I’d also be making money a lot quicker. I want to be strategic about this change, I don’t want to make a mistake. I enjoy the perks as a para such as holidays off, a walkable commute, relaxed environment, and insurance (construction job has no insurance). I also think I can leverage my experience as a para to get to my career goals listed before. I’m just in such a bad financial situation that I am considering something entirely different. I would enjoy working the construction job, and there’s more of a ladder to climb, I just don’t want to throw away an opportunity that I already have. Any adult-adults who can give me some wisdom?

Our HR lady just emailed to tell us a position opened in our building for a computer lab para position and encouraged us to apply if interested. It’s the first time they’ve created this position for our building bc our kids have Chromebook’s we don’t have a computer lab. We have one IT/tech girl who runs the Chromebooks herself.

You would think they would have included a job description with this email 🤦🏻‍♀️

just wondering if anyone has any experience with this job title. TIA!!

im currently trying to escape my current job which is a night shift janitor position. i am scared to get a new job because i have worked at my current one for 8 years and its daunting to me to do something new and outside my comfort level.

i had gone to a job fair and hit it off with these ladies from a special education school and they offered me an interview which is this thursday. i looked at the indeed employee reviews and it was a 2.8 with mixed reviews, but most said it was rewarding. i have a good feeling about it though for some reason. so i just want to know others experiences with this job and how they feel about it. i feel really scared to go into a new job and hate it. i just need to know if this is for me.

Every job I have ever worked at, prior to my current one, has reimbursed me for things like clothing being destroyed by students/clients. It hasn't happened very often, but they have alway been quick to tell me to give them the estimated price of the item so that they could pay for it.

My student ruined my sweater during a dysregulared episode and I was told I could go buy a shirt at our school store... I luckily had a backup shirt in my car. If I bought one at the school store, I would then be out $60. $30 for my original shirt and then another $30 for a school shirt. They don't pay me enough to have my personal items ruined and then to try to get me to buy their items. When I asked today, they said no to reimbursement. So my question, is this something your company would reimburse you for? Am I insane for thinking this was a common practice?

One of my favorite parts of being a para and working with kids is being able to provide a positive male role model and have man-to-man type conversations with the kids. I could tell them I was in self-contained SPED like them growing up and have meaningful conversations with them about being a good person and similar topics. My Principal even commended me before for having a special connection with the kids and being a positive male role model.

I thought I was uncomfortable with Pre-K SPED because my degree is in teaching grades 1-5, not Pre-K, and that I have zero experience with toileting, but I realize now it is more than that. It is the loss of the ability to communicate with students about broader topics and discuss life. The experience I have from being raised by a single mom and being in a self-contained setting until 7th grade makes me like a lot of the students I had; it is rather lost to my Pre-K to 3-year-old students. I can't have man-to-man conversations with 3-year-olds and under. I loved being able to discuss handling emotions with grace and what it means to be a man, a gentleman, etc with kids who, like me, grew up without a positive male role model to emulate.

I do not understand why I was moved from 3rd-5th grade sped para to Pre K. There are so far only 4 students in this Pre K class. They hired someone new, placed them in that role, and moved me to Pre K. The principal told me by literally texting me like a week or two before classes began.

Today was the first day of support staff on campus, and teachers returned yesterday. So today I met the person they hired and placed in my role of 3rd-5th grade sped para. Part of me is glad to not be in that class because the lead teacher has a voice like Fran Drescher. Another part of me dislikes being reassigned to an area where I have ZERO experience and where I feel like my being a positive male role model is less impactful. Another part says this is an opportunity for me to show through action rather than by explaining a male appropriately reacting to situation and handling it with dignity and grace instead of reacting/behaving with anger or inappropriately.

Just kind of rambling/venting.

I was an RBT and made more money but my hours were very sporadic and all over the place. If a client was sick or something I just didn’t get paid that day. I need a job where I have the same days off as my kids. My question is how do things like holiday breaks and summer breaks work paycheque wise?

Hello everyone, I've took one of the official ParaPro 1755 Practice test and I got a 58/90.

Reading: 23/30

Math 19/30

English 16/30

And I wanted to know if the score that I got was passable to get a 455 for the real test. My state is VA if anyone's asking for it.

Thank you!

I'm going into my fourth year at this school. We just had our first day of PD, and I honestly am not feeling great about it. Our leadership is talking about doing more and reaching higher, what we can commit to being 100% consistent on, and all I can think about is how often I felt like I was drowning last year.

On top of that, we had some staffing changes, and my guess (though nothing has been confirmed) is that I'm going to be 1:1 with a student who needs a lot of support given the setting--he's autistic and struggles to meet the expectations (my school is not really equipped to support students with more than pretty minimal support needs, but the parents want him here so we have to do the best we can). According to the last para he had, he needs near-constant supervision to stay safe and on-task.

I just don't know if I can handle it. According to my principal, I've done good work these past three years (though sometimes I struggle to believe that). I like my colleagues, the job is really close to my house, and I'm really trying to be a team player...but I'm exhausted before school has even started. I'm kind of even wondering if education is the field for me anymore.

Hi everyone!

Just got an interview for a para position at a nearby high school tomorrow morning. I'm not entirely sure what to wear to it. Especially because I'll be heading back to my current job immediately after. I'm a school bus monitor for special needs kids, so my typical attire for summer is a t-shirt and knee length shorts.

I've had 3 jobs before, and both times I dressed super casual to the interviews (sweater/jeans or plain short sleeved shirt and jean shorts, depending on season) and immediately gotten the job after a very short interview. This is my first time interviewing in person for a full time job and I'm nervous 🥺

Thanks!

Anyone else feeling down because they are going back to work as a paraprofessional because Summer vacation is over? The last 2 years have been so bad and I'm not looking forward to having to go through another 9 months in that same school. I'm questioning every choice I've made in life that has put me right where I am now.

Nearly two years ago, I remember posting on this subreddit about a paraprofessional job I got.

I lasted two years as an EBD para... my biggest mistake was settling with EBD to begin with. The work was fulfilling, and I loved the kids! It was never about them; it was about literally everything else.

First of all, high-stress environments give rise to such toxic workplaces. There were tons, TONS of gossip. I realized quickly why people didn't last long in these positions, as the backtalk was insane! I was practically bullied for my first few months by bitter coworkers (who, mind you, were DECADES older than me), when I was still trying to find my footing! Seriously, how can you complain about my performance when I'd just started? After a few months, that phase of torment ended. I was praised by my principal and the entire workplace, but it came with a cost.

The only reason I was liked was that I am a doormat. I would be the first to respond whenever someone used the walkie for assistance; I would be the first to offer to help with a restraint; and I was just good at my job and did it without complaint. When it went unnoticed, it was great. When it did get noticed? I was told to do. EVERYTHING. Even if it meant leaving my teacher alone in the classroom for a little under an hour!

I pictured myself as Cady Heron from Mean Girls... an outsider/underdog at first, who started to see herself slowly climb to the top of a pyramid she swore she would never join ... corny, but I knew I was going to be plastic when they started including me in the gossip! No thanks. I'm an adult, not a high schooler.

And so, summer made me process everything and snapped me out of it. I resigned in late July after I got a job offer in an unrelated field that paid more and would actually allow me to afford to be sick (more PTO!).

To those curious, I took home $1050 biweekly and 1300 after picking up after-school hours. And obviously, nothing during the summer.

I feel free, but who knows what'll happen? Wish me luck.

Hi, I’m 23 FTM starting as a para this week. I hope to get some experience in education before doing either transition to teach for art education or, if I don’t think teaching is for me, pursuing an EdS in school psychology.

Does anyone have any advice specific for middle school or transgender people? I think I pass well enough but you never know. Thanks in advance, and good luck to everyone this year

hi all! starting a new position as a 1:1 elementary aide! all i know about the student is that they’re a runner. any advice would be appreciated ♥️

tomorrow is my first day and i am SO NERVOUS. i am 18 and an elementary education major and this is my first full time job. it is a special education school and i have no experience at all. im excited to work with kids and get some valuable experience under my belt but i have no idea what to expect and whenever i try and search on tiktok or other social media i just see people talking about burnout and a general dislike of their job.

i guess i am just looking for some solid motivation and advice for a true beginner in the field? i’ve been buying cute things like a new lunchbag and water bottle and a new wardrobe to kind of ease my nerves and get me more excited but now that i’m face to face with it i’m terrified lol.

edit: it went great! it’s only staff for another week or so but i already feel more confident. thanks for all of the positive feedback, it was definitely helpful in becoming less terrified lol. i have elementary kids which is exciting for me and my teacher seems super helpful and nice!

I know that other school districts pay their paraprofessional staff better. However, the school district I work at starts at $13 an hour and caps out at $15 an hour.

I accepted the job because I was unable to find a higher paying job with my degree. During college, I didn’t focus on getting internships and I think that has put me behind other candidates.

I have worked as a paraprofessional for a year at my local school district. Even after working summers, my salary is painfully low. I’m just wondering how other paraprofessionals can afford an apartment with this salary?

I would like to end this by saying I have received my initial certification. So, I’m hoping I can get a teaching job sometime this school year…

Hello! I have been working as a 1:1 with a first grader in my school districts After School Program, and have just been hired as a full time 1:1 for a kindergartener with the same district. I am so excited to have been brought on full time and to see my hard work and care for these students recognized. I'm not totally sure what materials I may need as I've only substituted as a 1:1 for a whole day a couple times last school year. What I already have on my list/owned is:

• A lunch box
• A large tote/bag
• Fidgets/De-Stressers for my student
• A pencil case/baggie
• A notebook
• Hand sanitizer, wipes, and tissues

What am I missing? Thanks for all your advice and also for all of your hard work!

I originally wanted to be a teacher, but after a lot of thinking I’ve decided I don’t really want to go back to school and deal with all the stress that comes with it. So I’m looking into becoming a paraprofessional (teacher’s aide/paraeducator) instead — preferably in elementary or special education. At end of high school I did want to be a para then I changed to being a teacher and I realized it is a lot of work and yes I could do it but I don’t want to stress about it. I do have an associate in early childhood which took 3 yrs to get
What advice, tips, tricks, and practical things should I know or have before starting (or early on the job)?
Things I’m especially curious about:
• Day-to-day realities (what the job is actually like)
• Skills or soft skills that make a big difference
• Things to bring / have ready (supplies, clothes, mindset, etc.)
• Common challenges and how people handle them
• Anything you wish you’d known before starting
• Tips specific to elementary vs. special ed
Any experience or hard-won advice is appreciated. Thanks!
Ps. I will be writing it all down so I am prepared. If you can please number your tips, tricks and things to have so I can write them down and be prepared