Issaquah Paraprofessionals

The word "Para" comes from Greek, where it has the meaning "at or to one side of, beside, side by side. That is how we describe ourselves and our work. We are the ones who work side by side with the teachers and side by side with the students. We are the ones beside them at recess helping them to navigate socially with other students in a safe environment. We are the ones beside them in class in every grade level, helping them learn and understand instruction. We are the ones beside them in the nurses office, helping to care for them when they are not feeling well. We are the ones beside them when things go well, celebrating their accomplishment and successes every step of their educational career. We are Paraeducators and we stand side by side with our students.

Per the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) website:

Paraeducators, also known as paraprofessionals or teacher’s assistants, are trained professionals who work in classrooms under the supervision of a teacher or educational staff associate (ESA). Paraeducators are essential and valued members of the educational team and are critical to support the social, emotional, academic, and vocational success of Washington’s students P-12. Teachers, administrators and other members of the educational team have a critical role to support paraeducators to be effective in their work by providing resources, support, training and feedback.

Paraeducators assist all students, including those with and without disabilities, with health needs, and with limited English proficiency. They are vital members of the school community and play a key role in bridging the systemic gaps in educational justice for all students by:

   supporting the teaching and learning of all students—paraeducators review lessons and provide drill and independent practice opportunities with individual students or groups of students;

    assisting students in meeting class and school expectations for appropriate behavior;

    modeling and prompting appropriate behavior and leading small groups to reinforce social skill learning;

    playing an active and essential role in their work with students by providing encouragement, support, assistance and advocacy;

    serving as a force multiplier to support teacher intervention and consistency in educational program implementation;

    facilitating the integration of students with individual needs in typical classrooms and settings;

    building student relationships and connections to the local community.