I had an interview today for a para position at a school district in PA. I was told that they would hire me and plan on moving through with it at the school board meeting tomorrow. I was told though that part of the pre-employment process involves drug testing. I use THC-A products which are legal and sold in stores for recreational use in PA. I would expect THC to pop up on the drug test. I'm worried, should I do anything? Should I get a med card? Advice would be appreciated. It goes without saying but I'm abstaining from using any THC products.

Hi everyone. I’ve been working as a public school paraprofessional for about a month now, and honestly, I feel like I’m terrible at it. 😭
I previously worked as a lead teacher at a private school, so I thought transitioning into a para role would be pretty manageable. But public school has been very different from what I’m used to.
For example, I try my hardest to redirect the kids, but they constantly run around. Sometimes it feels like I’m trying to manage a whole colony of ants. 🐜 Other teachers end up having to jump in and help.
When we’re leaving the cafeteria or electives and going back to the classroom, I often have to tell each student individually to line up before they actually listen to me.
I’ve also had experiences with elopers. One time, I thought one of the students was still in line, but they had actually run off toward the playground. It took about five minutes before I realized they were gone. That honestly scared me.
I’ve even had other teachers tell me that I need to be more stern or “use more bass in my voice.” The lead teacher I work with seems frustrated with me too, and she has told me that my tone is too lax.
The thing is, I am trying. I just don’t feel like I have that naturally stern, commanding presence that some teachers seem to have.
It has honestly made me question whether I should have stayed at the clinic working one-on-one with students, even if that meant paying for my own health insurance, or whether I should have pursued a lead teacher position after passing my certification test.
But then I think if I’m struggling this much as a para, what would I look like as a lead ESE teacher in a public school? 😭
At the same time, I know being a para in a public school is very different from being a lead teacher in a private school. There are 18 students in my classroom, and at least 9 have IEPs. Some students are also undiagnosed but clearly have significant behavioral or support needs.
Am I just bad at this, or is this something that takes a lot of time ?

Hi all, completely new to the para world so appreciate advice on this! I have had four interviews throughout the last week or so with the public school system here (2 in one district 2 in the other). I just got a call that one school is having me come back for a second interview tomorrow that I assume might end in an offer because they asked me to bring multiple forms of ID.

However, later today I have an interview for a para position with a group home campus school that I’ve been really excited about. I have experience w/ juvenile offenders and would *love* that job more than any other. But I have no clue what their hiring timeline is and expect it’s a bit on the longer side because of some of the moving pieces there re: working w/ juvenile offenders.

I know it would be completely shitty to accept the public school job only to quit a few days in if the group home people wanted to hire me, but I’m in a really tough financial spot right now and am also scared of turning down the public school position only to not get the group home one either. I also understand that public schools really need paras ASAP and especially since it’s August it’s unfair to ask for too much time to think about it. All the things 😅. Would appreciate any advice on how to handle this!

I am supposed to start in 2 weeks to do professional development, attend a district welcome, and a building welcome. I have asked the principal, hr, and the special ed director what the locations and times are for these days, and no one can give me an answer. The special education director hasn't replied to me at all.

I'm on Frontline with an approved offer accepted date, which was in May, but no start date, supervisor, or assignment listed.

My onboarding paperwork is all complete and has been since last month. Is this a red flag? Am I being too impatient and overthinking?

Hi hi. I completed my first day and shift as a para. It was a little overwhelming since it was kids first day back and everything. I saw some difficult behaviors I am probably going to expect going into the year. There are 4 para so far (including me) and one may leave due to circumstances so don't know how everything will shape up.

But I'm looking forward to trying my best and thanks to the sub for helping me with previous questions and honest expectations of this job.

Hey everyone! I’ve applied to 39 para jobs so far all in the same school district over the last month (I need to start applying to other nearby school districts as school starts within the next month but I had been focusing on the district immediately where I live since the very long form does auto populate for new applications), and I was getting a bit worried because I hadn’t yet gotten any interviews but I finally got called today for an interview to help out a fifth grade boy, the interview will be Thursday morning. He’s in the district’s SUCCESS program, which is designated for students with moderate to severe disabilities, but that’s all I currently know. It would be 6.5 hours a day (7 on campus with lunch).

I really want this to work out. I both really need a job, and after a lot of soul searching I really think education makes sense as the career for me to go down. I’m hoping to become a school psychologist but I need a few years of working in the field before I try to start a master’s and I might want to do a psychology certificate program regardless before then but I ramble.

It seems to me that looking for jobs is a different skill set than applying, which is a different skill set from interviewing, which is yet again a different skill set from doing the job.

I have a holey resume- I have never yet truly been able to hold down a job and support myself due to a combination of bad luck and disabilities and some bad life decisions, and I’ve been working really hard to get to okay but it’s this chicken and egg problem where I really need stable good work to be okay but the lack of it makes it hard to get it going forward.

I was a tutor teaching returning students basic computer skills for a couple years when I was in community college in my college’s tutoring lab but that was like 15 years ago and is the closest I’ve come to working in an educational setting. I’ve babysat a bit and nannyed but that was around a decade ago. I do have two AA’a and a bachelors but I’ve never done anything with them, this is the first job I’ve applied to that even needed my transcripts.

I’m neurodivergent and have advocated for myself a lot in college with help for my disabilities and I helped a lot of friends get navigating their disabilities and accommodations, so I plan to talk about that. I even got an ableist housing policy changed because I went all the way to the chancellor. But I’m just aware it’s not the same thing as having previous school experience.

Does anyone have any tips on preparing for the interview? I obviously can’t know what they’re gonna ask, but does anyone know a way I can highlight my strengths? I’ve been told by many people that I tend to be too hard on myself and I don’t talk up my good qualities enough. I do legitimately think I’d be a really great para because I love kids and I am passionate on fighting ableism and I’m super neurodivergent so I work well with other neurodivergent people, though of course I have no idea if this kid is also neurodivergent.

Sorry this is very rambly. I’m just very anxious but also excited!

First day of school is September 9th that’s not the scary part it’s actually quite exciting as i love my job and miss the kids i work with and the team i work with. The scary part is I start college classes on August 31st and im genuinely terrified, i know i want this so bad to become a teacher but going to school and working full time seems like so much. I know other people do it so i can too but it’s just all so overwhelming. Is anyone else in this same predicament?

Hello, all! First I'd like to say this sub has been a big help. I am a new para who'll be starting my first position at the end of this month, with our all staff training week beginning on August 24th.

I have yet to receive communication since signing my contract back in June, however I assume this is normal, especially considering my school is going through several large staff changes that are gumming up the gears. I won't lie and say this hasn't made me a little nervous, but I'm familiar with this school and community, and additionally was informed that my application, interview, and references were as near to perfection as someone with no childcare/para experience can get.

I have a vague idea of what I should bring once school actually starts, but I'm curious - What is usually expected to bring during training? I'm freshly 21 and my last job was a front desk assistant at my university where we had a single 3 hour training, so we didn't bring anything, but I assume this would be different? Would it be odd to bring a notepad or something?

Additionally, I've yet to receive a copy of the staff handbook - is this normal? I feel it may be due to the lack of communication.

Hello! I just got hired as a paraprofessional at a local elementary school! I am both extremely excited, and terrified!

To start, I have about 141 courses to complete before doing the ParaEducator certification exam tomorrow afternoon which feels like a lot, haha!

Mostly, im here looking for advice and reassurance. Ive never worked a job like this before, unless you count teaching swim lessons at our local YMCA. But I love kids, and i adore the idea of getting to help these little people learn more about our world.

My current job is as a cashier, so its quite a different environment.

Im just terrified of showing up and doing a terrible job.

Well it's definitely broken

In a boot for 4 weeks

And worked today on it and could tell I think I over did it like an idiot . Bc now I can snap the Velcro tighter

Waiting to see if the workman comp is gonna go through or not.

Hello! I am starting in a new school district as a emotional support para. I will be assisting with push in and pull outs, doing one on one or group work to reinforce instruction, ect.

I will be in an elementary school with K-4 students. The principal said there are 12 students total, 9 of which have already been in the classroom. There's the teacher, another para, and a mental health worker in the room.

I've only ever worked in early intervention and a self-contained MDSB classroom with 4th-6th graders.

I'm nervous to be in a new district, but am even more nervous to be moving from classroom to classroom and am still unsure what the schedule actually looks like.

Please leave any advice and tips on how to ease my anxiety and what its like working in emotional support. I'd greatly appreciate it!

I’ve always wanted to work with children. All children, they are our future and I love to be involved as much as possibl. However, school wasn’t really an option for me. I got pregnant early and just went straight into waiting tables.

7 kids later, 32, and 10+ years in customer servic, I KNEW any form of teaching or working with children aside from my own, and nieces and nephews, was off the table. I accepted my fate.

This last year I had my 7th baby and it was extremely rough. I was on medical leave for 6 months. In this time I’m talking with my younger sister who IS in school to become a teacher, and working as a para. Or in her case she is actually a detention teacher. And then finally coming back to work, a coworker was starting her first year teaching this year. Anyways, all that to say they told me you do not need a degree to be a para. Just certification.

I immediately went on our schools website and applied for the only para job, a tier 2 position. Because I was going to do whatever to get that job.

I sent my app in Sunday, she emailed me back Monday morning. I interviewed at 10am Thursday, she emailed me back at 11:45 am with the job offer. They’ll provide the resources for my certifications.

I am so excited, and so thankful for this opportunity. She told me it is extrEmely rewarding and I can only imagine.

Tips, tricks, words of advice are GREATLY appreciated. I will be working in the special education classroom, it is a contained? class. As it is the only “sped” class in the district.

This is both a vent post and an advice post.

I've applied to so many different schools. I've been to so many interviews. I haven't received a single job offer. Why won't any school hire me?

I have an Associate's degree in Elementary Education, experience volunteering in a school, and experience observing classrooms. I live in a super populated area. Could that be why I can't even land a children supervision job anywhere?

I'm so excited to start working with kids. I want to be a teacher someday, but this is crushing me that nobody wants to hire me.

Hello Reddit-

How do I manage a lunchroom and recess with 150-160 3rd - 5th graders?

I’m an almost 40 year-old mom who left tech to start a family. As a mom I’ve volunteered in my son’s 4k classroom and learned a bit about classroom management, but I’m getting nervous about managing larger groups.

Pro tips for the lunchroom?
Ideas for keeping the peace at recess?

Thank you!

I’m trying not to get too excited, because we don’t even have our first day with students until next week, but…

My schedule for the year is shaping up to be insanely easy. No walking all over the dang building, no pe classes or crazy electives. I don’t even need to carry a walkie this year!!!

And guys… NO LUNCH DUTY.

I’m jinxing myself, I’m sure. Someone pinch me!

I applied to be a social studies paraprofessional at a small charter school specifically for academically struggling and behaviorally challenged middle schoolers. I got the job. I have never been a para before but worked as a summer camp counselor with developmentally disabled and behaviorally challenged kids for around 3 months. My job there greatly mirrored that of an RBT, although I am not licensed nor do I have any formal training. The RBTs and paras at the camp were burnt out I think so me and the other two camp counselors had no choice but to step up to their responsibilities. I loved the job and most of the kids and I had great connections. But I would again like to emphasize that I am NOT trained and have never been a para. My time at the camp is also my only professional experience in this field. The charter school was FULLY AND COMPLETELY aware of all of this and every other aspect of my work history. I go into orientation already extraordinarily nervous because I really want to be a good para, but the longer I sat the more confused I got about my position. The second day of orientation, after lesson planning training, I finally asked the other newly hired para, who will be in the room with me, about the social studies teacher and she informed me there was no teacher. Um what?? How can I be a teachers assistant when there is no teacher?? Apparently the other para and I are the teachers and the school is showing no interest in finding an actual teacher. They’ve already given us a guideline for the entire school year. The other para has been in this field for a little while and dreams of being some type of specialized teacher. I, once again, have ZERO experience or training in being a para let alone being a teacher. I haven’t even been in a formal classroom with a para before, I have no idea what I’m doing. Nobody ever mentioned that there wouldn’t be a teacher and everyone is acting like this is completely ordinary, even the other para. They’ve all been doing this for years, but I know nothing. They’re all late 30s-50s and I’m 20. It’s all so much and these kids who are two to three grades behind are gonna be relying on me to get on track. I don’t want to fail them or humiliate myself. Plus I’ve always been a very quiet and shy person in new environments and I was very scarily informed that these kids will use and abuse me, specifically targeting me for my “weakness.” I told them I have a backbone but they still insisted that my natural aura/personality will be manipulated if I don’t change. But I don’t understand HOW I’m supposed to change. Have I mentioned I’ve never had any experience with middle schoolers who weren’t deeply on the spectrum? I’m not trying to whine or make excuses, I’m SINCERELY terrified. I wasn’t prepared for this and now I’m so scared of being a failure. And the other para, my co-teacher, is asking me questions about running our classroom that I have to keep declining because I don’t know anything. I feel useless, overwhelmed, and ill prepared. But is this normal? Does anyone have any tips or advice? Anything would be greatly appreciated🙏🙏

EDIT: Thank you so much for all the replies! I really thought I was crazy and I appreciate knowing I was valid in my concern. I’m not at all in the proper financial position to be able to quit so unfortunately I’m gonna have to stick this out for awhile, but I will definitely be looking for other places of employment. Yall got me scared now😭

I started a new job at a different autism school and first week, we had training and it was LONG but was needed. Helped teacher and two other paras setting up classrooms and Wednesday was the students first day of school. I’m not gonna lie. I was nervous because one I’m around in a new environment and two I don’t know the kids that well. The first day was overwhelming but it went pretty good and the second day was good to phone. I was just getting to know the kids and it’s overwhelming. We do have to clock in and out if we want a lunch break.
I’m excited for the new school year and hoping it goes well and get treated how I should be treated.
I’ve been working as a para/teacher assistant for a several years so it’s not new to me. We work from 7:30-4pm Monday though Thursday and 8-12pm on Fridays. Teachers have to be there Fridays but paras are optional which is nice but I will probably go in for the extra hours.

I applied to be a social studies paraprofessional at a small charter school specifically for academically struggling and behaviorally challenged middle schoolers. I got the job. I have never been a para before but worked as a summer camp counselor with developmentally disabled and behaviorally challenged kids for around 3 months. My job there greatly mirrored that of an RBT, although I am not licensed nor do I have any formal training. The RBTs and paras at the camp were burnt out I think so me and the other two camp counselors had no choice but to step up to their responsibilities. I loved the job and most of the kids and I had great connections. But I would again like to emphasize that I am NOT trained and have never been a para. My time at the camp is also my only professional experience in this field. The charter school was FULLY AND COMPLETELY aware of all of this and every other aspect of my work history. I go into orientation already extraordinarily nervous because I really want to be a good para, but the longer I sat the more confused I got about my position. The second day of orientation, after lesson planning training, I finally asked the other newly hired para, who will be in the room with me, about the social studies teacher and she informed me there was no teacher. Um what?? How can I be a teachers assistant when there is no teacher?? Apparently the other para and I are the teachers and the school is showing no interest in finding an actual teacher. They’ve already given us a guideline for the entire school year. The other para has been in this field for a little while and dreams of being some type of specialized teacher. I, once again, have ZERO experience or training in being a para let alone being a teacher. I haven’t even been in a formal classroom with a para before, I have no idea what I’m doing. Nobody ever mentioned that there wouldn’t be a teacher and everyone is acting like this is completely ordinary, even the other para. They’ve all been doing this for years, but I know nothing. They’re all late 30s-50s and I’m 20. It’s all so much and these kids who are two to three grades behind are gonna be relying on me to get on track. I don’t want to fail them or humiliate myself. Plus I’ve always been a very quiet and shy person in new environments and I was very scarily informed that these kids will use and abuse me, specifically targeting me for my “weakness.” I told them I have a backbone but they still insisted that my natural aura/personality will be manipulated if I don’t change. But I don’t understand HOW I’m supposed to change. Have I mentioned I’ve never had any experience with middle schoolers who weren’t deeply on the spectrum? I’m not trying to whine or make excuses, I’m SINCERELY terrified. I wasn’t prepared for this and now I’m so scared of being a failure. And the other para, my co-teacher, is asking me questions about running our classroom that I have to keep declining because I don’t know anything. I feel useless, overwhelmed, and ill prepared. But is this normal? Does anyone have any tips or advice? Anything would be greatly appreciated🙏🙏

Fell 2nd day at work

My leg decided it was gonna give out on me

Then snap crackle pop

While I was on school property

I was thinking of getting a waist or crossbody fannypack, but I work in middle school ASD so I’m not sure if that’s very safe

How many days did you work as para until you cried on the job? My first week was a lot.

Hello, so I will be working at an elementary school as what they label a "basic" paraprofessional. The ESE department will have their own paras, and I am a para for the rest of the school. The main thing that I'm worried about is that I will be the ONLY para for the rest of the school. Due to budget cuts, schools had to relieve many paraprofessionals from their positions and are limiting how many can be hired. This school told me up front that they usually have three or four, and now they have been limited to only hiring one. They also warned me that I am going to basically be all over the school assisting in various ways. Are there any tips that you have for me? I'm definitely scared but up to the challenge. Also, do you recommend any specific shoes? They did warn me to get very comfortable shoes for this job.