Paraeducators

[Anonymous]

Yes, there's a shortage. My chikd was finally given a 1:1 aide and it still hasn't been filled in over a year. It would significantly improve her life at school, but it hasn't been filled most likely because of the school (and the school has a great team). It's unfortunate.

[Anonymous]

If they increased pay by 10-15k the positions would be full. MCPS is a multibillion dollar system that absolutely can afford this. But the central office would rather give themselves raises...

[Anonymous]

Maybe. But there are other issues / shortages, like counselors, substitutes, and more. The pay raises would be needed for several different classes of employees.

[Anonymous]

So a para working with a special needs student does not need a degree in special education? Do they receive any training? Some of the special needs students are a full time job 1:1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So a para working with a special needs student does not need a degree in special education? Do they receive any training? Some of the special needs students are a full time job 1:1.

I am not sure what it is like in MCPS, but in most states, no, a degree is not required. And I've never seen a para of any kind get any kind of significant training. Maybe a special ed teacher might spend a few minutes showing them how to use the chart?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is job security like for a para educator? Is it a year to year contract?

I would like to find a para educator job, but I don’t want to quit my stable job for something that won’t be in certain.

You don't need to worry about job stability. I guarantee you that every school has unfilled positions. Even if you got a para job and it ended, there'll ALWAYS be another para job open at a school. If you don't mind working for pennies, there's plenty of options.

[Anonymous]

Until robots replace paras, no need to worry about not finding a para job. Bring along a friend, schools need you both!

[Anonymous]

For the most part, I wouldn't recommend it, if only because paras are currently being treated as disposable and used as classroom substitutes, daily. Something has to change, or the attrition losses will continue and we will just cycle through warm bodies.

[Anonymous]

I am a special Ed teacher who has considered quitting to be a para - no paperwork, direct work with kids, no planning... But the pay is terrible and they don't get paid for snow days and professional development days.

There are some very wonderful paras who would be great teachers and there are some who are terrible - can't follow simple direction from teachers, call out sick constantly, not educated enough to help support the teaching, not patient or motivated.

[Anonymous]

Most paras at our ES and MS got benefits after I think a year. I know at least 2 that were able to get tuition paid to get their teaching certificates. It could be we just have really good principals but the principals really seem to invest in the paras. I also think by virtue of being a "nice" school they tend to attract paraeducators who have 4-year-college degrees and are either looking for a career change or are right out of college and still on the fence about whether to go into education or something else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is job security like for a para educator? Is it a year to year contract?

I would like to find a para educator job, but I don’t want to quit my stable job for something that won’t be in certain.

Many openings are temporary part time with no security. If you can get a permanent position (4 hours a day or more) you get security and benefits. But the pay still sucks.

[Anonymous]

I have known paras where there job description changed and their hours benefits were cut. Which means the principal would have to go to bat for you or you may have to change schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is job security like for a para educator? Is it a year to year contract?

I would like to find a para educator job, but I don’t want to quit my stable job for something that won’t be in certain.

Many openings are temporary part time with no security. If you can get a permanent position (4 hours a day or more) you get security and benefits. But the pay still sucks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So a para working with a special needs student does not need a degree in special education? Do they receive any training? Some of the special needs students are a full time job 1:1.

The 1:1 para jobs are all temporary, part-time. That means hourly pay and no benefits. Not sure how MCPS gets away with this (maybe because students ts are transient/you don't know if they'll be back the following year?). A new FT special ed para makes about $26k plus benefits, and has all the school holidays off, but only gets paid a few of them (for example, paid for Xmas and New Years Day, but not the week of no school).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So a para working with a special needs student does not need a degree in special education? Do they receive any training? Some of the special needs students are a full time job 1:1.

They aren't teachers, so they don't need a degree in special ed. They are mostly for behavior management and/or help with ADLs. Schools shouldn't be using them to provide instruction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So a para working with a special needs student does not need a degree in special education? Do they receive any training? Some of the special needs students are a full time job 1:1.

They aren't teachers, so they don't need a degree in special ed. They are mostly for behavior management and/or help with ADLs. Schools shouldn't be using them to provide instruction.

Patience is the only requirement.