Career Overview
Assist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher to provide academic, social, or life skills to students who have learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services.
Also Known As
- Paraprofessional (Para)
- SPED Aide (Special Education Aide)
- SPED Para (Special Education Paraprofessional)
- SPED TA (Special Education Teacher Assistant)
Alternate Job Titles
- Assistant Instructor
- Basic Skills Improvement Program Instructional Aide (BSIP Instructional Aide)
- Classroom Paraprofessional
- Co-Teacher
- Early Childhood SPED PARA (Early Childhood Special Education Paraprofessional)
- Education Support Professional
- Educational Assistant
- Paraeducator
- Paraprofessional (Para)
- Special Needs Para (Special Needs Paraprofessional)
- Special Programs Instructional Assistant
- Specialized Programs TA (Specialized Programs Teacher Assistant)
- SPED Aide (Special Education Aide)
- SPED Assistant (Special Education Assistant)
- SPED Assistant (Special Educational Assistant)
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Provide assistance to students with special needs.
- Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification or positive reinforcement.
- Supervise students in classrooms, halls, cafeterias, school yards, and gymnasiums, or on field trips.
- Provide students with disabilities with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.
- Carry out therapeutic regimens, such as behavior modification and personal development programs, under the supervision of special education instructors, psychologists, or speech-language pathologists.
- Tutor and assist children individually or in small groups to help them master assignments and to reinforce learning concepts presented by teachers.
- Employ special educational strategies or techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, or memory.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- English Language
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Reading Comprehension
- Learning Strategies
- Monitoring
- Service Orientation
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Speech Recognition
- Speech Clarity
- Written Comprehension
- Near Vision
- Deductive Reasoning
- Written Expression
- Information Ordering
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Cooperation
- Dependability
- Empathy
- Optimism
- Social Orientation
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Alternative computer keyboards
- Audio tape recorders or players
- Braille slates
- Braille styluses
- Communication boards
- Compact disk CD players
- Computer laser printers
- Data input scanners
- Desktop computers
- Digital video cameras
- Digital video disk DVD players
- Educational board games
- Emergency first aid kits
- Enteral feeding equipment
- Eye controlled computer mouse equipment
Work Environment
- Contact With Others
- Physical Proximity
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: Varies
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $69,590
Special Education Teachers, Elementary School
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: Varies
Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: Varies
Special Education Teachers, Middle School
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $64,880
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.