Paraeducation positions - no experience working with students

[Anonymous]

I am interested in applying for paraeducator positions. My main issue is I don't have experience working with students. Should I bother applying? I see that there are a lot of para positions working with SN population. My only experience "working" with SN kids is my own. This is part of the reason why I quit full time work and am only looking for part time work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am interested in applying for paraeducator positions. My main issue is I don't have experience working with students. Should I bother applying? I see that there are a lot of para positions working with SN population. My only experience "working" with SN kids is my own. This is part of the reason why I quit full time work and am only looking for part time work.

You should be fine. MCPS uses the same questions for every interview, you might be able to find the para one somewhere online.

[Anonymous]

Also-there are SO many open positions that if you interview showing you have a desire to learn and be flexible, you should 100% be fine

[Anonymous]

Meant to add-your own experiences with your own child is more than enough

[Anonymous]

It can’t hurt to apply. You’ll have to do a general interview before you’re allowed to apply for specific para jobs. They’ll determine whether you would make a good para.

[Anonymous]

Sure why would special needs kids deserve anyone with training or experience?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sure why would special needs kids deserve anyone with training or experience?

You realize the teacher is a trained special educator. The paras do what the teacher directs them to do. OP, if you feel you are open to direction and can be patient, please do apply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sure why would special needs kids deserve anyone with training or experience?

F-off.You are a terrible human being,make no mistake. OP is willing to learn. Have fun being awful.

[Anonymous]

I am a para and I love it! I get to have all the fun of working with kids without having to deal with the back-and-forth parent emails (joking!).

You will start the application through MCPS Careers (upload resume, cover letter, any additional docs like courses taken, etc.), and then you can apply to individual job postings at different schools. I would spend time crafting a cover letter that reflects how your experience working with your own children had led you to a desire to work as a para. HR will look at applications received for a particular posting, and will pass along the names of the top three candidates to the principal, and the principal will schedule interviews. I was hired two years ago and did not have a pre-interview before being interviewed by the principal. Once I was hired, it took about 6 weeks to complete the hiring process (along with fingerprinting and completing a background check, MCPS needed every past employer to certify I have never been fired for sexual abuse/assault).

The benefits are pretty good but the pay is low - great option for someone wanting to work part time (5.5 hours a day). I love seeing the kids everyday and feel the kids look forward to seeing me when I come in the classroom. Now that my own kids are older, it’s easier for me to give energy to the kids at school.

[Anonymous]

Not an issue. I'd love for someone with your attitude to work with my kid

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am interested in applying for paraeducator positions. My main issue is I don't have experience working with students. Should I bother applying? I see that there are a lot of para positions working with SN population. My only experience "working" with SN kids is my own. This is part of the reason why I quit full time work and am only looking for part time work.

You should be fine. MCPS uses the same questions for every interview, you might be able to find the para one somewhere online.

Not true, it varies by school.

[Anonymous]

Of you are a home school model(aka a special needs paraeducator) you might be doing a variety of things. You might be working one-on-one with students during academic blocks, or supporting small groups for helping coteach. Sometimes special education Paras help prepare paperwork for iep meetin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Meant to add-your own experiences with your own child is more than enough

I disagree with this as a blanket statement. Different schools assign different paras very different types of work. OP in some roles, your experience would put you skill-wise ahead of many current paraeducators. And in other roles, you would not be prepared for the work and "willing to learn" might not be enough. I would definitely apply and hopefully you will find a good fit.

[Anonymous]

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/16/us/school-shortages-bus-drivers-workers.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a para and I love it! I get to have all the fun of working with kids without having to deal with the back-and-forth parent emails (joking!).

You will start the application through MCPS Careers (upload resume, cover letter, any additional docs like courses taken, etc.), and then you can apply to individual job postings at different schools. I would spend time crafting a cover letter that reflects how your experience working with your own children had led you to a desire to work as a para. HR will look at applications received for a particular posting, and will pass along the names of the top three candidates to the principal, and the principal will schedule interviews. I was hired two years ago and did not have a pre-interview before being interviewed by the principal. Once I was hired, it took about 6 weeks to complete the hiring process (along with fingerprinting and completing a background check, MCPS needed every past employer to certify I have never been fired for sexual abuse/assault).

The benefits are pretty good but the pay is low - great option for someone wanting to work part time (5.5 hours a day). I love seeing the kids everyday and feel the kids look forward to seeing me when I come in the classroom. Now that my own kids are older, it’s easier for me to give energy to the kids at school.

What is the average pay in MCPS?