Paraeducators as Critical Team Members: Redefining Roles and Responsibilities

Abstract

This article provides an overview of the changing and expanding roles of paraeducators, notes the importance of paraeducators as critical team members, offers several ideas that teachers can use to enhance the use of paraeducators in the classroom, and provides some insights for school principals about the benefits of paraeducators and some legal and ethical considerations in their use. Future role definition, function, and opportunities for paraeducators are discussed.