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Become a Paraprofessional

A while male student looks through a magnify glass at a globe while a black female student looks on.

You can become a paraprofessional and be a valuable school staff member. You’ll play a vital role in helping school staff and administrators.

Paraprofessionals can typically be found in classrooms, on the playground, or in the cafeteria, helping students, teachers, and staff get through the day.

Paraprofessionals are the unsung heroes of school and help make each classroom a more inclusive environment for all students They are sometimes called instructional aides, paraeducators, teacher’s aides, or paraprofessional teachers.

The paraprofessional’s role consists of numerous responsibilities, depending on the area they are working in. They work with students in small groups, provide one on one assistance, reinforce learning goals, and help lesson plans run smoothly.

To be considered for contract paraprofessional positions, you must meet the federal requirements:

  • Have a minimum of an associates degree or at least 60 semester credits (90 quarter credits) from an accredited college and demonstrate competency to assist in reading, writing and math; or
  • Achieve a passing score on the ParaPro Assessment. (Minnesota set the passing score at 460 or above.)

Duluth Adult Education (DAE), a program of Duluth Public Schools, provides classes and testing to become a paraprofessional. You can find more information on their programing at dae.isd709.org/testing/paraprofessionals