Paraprofessionals: Understanding Your Role and Responsibilities

Why are paraprofessionals essential in a school setting?

• To teach students independently

• To provide support to students who need individualized assistance

• To manage the classroom

• To plan lessons for teachers

 What is one way paraprofessionals support students' success?

• By providing answers to assignments

• By encouraging students' independence and helping them complete tasks

• By taking over lessons from the teacher

• By avoiding interaction with students

Which of the following is a responsibility of a paraprofessional in the classroom?

• To grade all students' assignments
  
  
  

  
  

• To provide one-on-one support with tasks and assignments

• To prepare all lesson plans

• To teach the class during the teacher’s absence

What should a paraprofessional do to promote positive behavior in the classroom?

• Do the students’ tasks for them
  
  
  

  
  

• Help students stay on task and follow classroom rules

• Disengage when students misbehave

• Ignore social interactions among students

What is an important classroom expectation for paraprofessionals regarding their presence?

• Stay on your phone during class to be accessible
  
  
  

• Leave class early if needed

• Stay with your student at all times during class

• Eat snacks during class to stay energized

When interacting with students, what should paraprofessionals do?

• Provide answers to questions immediately
  
  
  

• Ask questions that stimulate thinking and understanding

• Discourage students from asking questions

• Focus solely on the academic work

What is the difference between assisting and teaching in your role as a paraprofessional?

• Teach the students independently without the teacher’s involvement
  
  

• Provide answers and complete tasks for the students
  

• Use the teacher’s materials to support students without doing the work for them

• Avoid helping students understand the process

 How can a paraprofessional maintain professionalism in the classroom?

• Disregard students’ privacy and confidentiality
  
  

• Act as a role model by demonstrating respect, responsibility, and punctuality
  

• Ignore communication with teachers and staff

• Be easily distracted by personal devices and other non-school activities

Why is teamwork and communication important for paraprofessionals?

• Paraprofessionals should work independently without collaborating with others
  
  
  

• Collaboration with teachers and staff ensures students’ needs are met

• Team meetings are optional and not necessary for success

• Sharing concerns is only necessary when problems arise

 How does a paraprofessional’s role impact students?

• By being an authority figure and enforcing all the rules
  
  
  

• By creating a safe and supportive environment, encouraging student growth

• By doing students’ tasks to ensure they succeed

• By working only with students who have behavior issues