PARAPROFESSIONAL SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND JOB REQUIREMENTS

Published: Dec 16, 2025 - The Paraprofessional has experience supporting classroom instruction, assisting diverse learners, and reinforcing lesson plans under the direction of licensed teachers. This role requires strong communication skills, proficiency in behavior-management strategies, and the ability to adapt to individual student needs while maintaining a positive learning environment. The individual also needs patience, cultural sensitivity, and solid organizational abilities to provide consistent academic, social, and emotional support.

Essential Hard and Soft Skills for a Standout Paraprofessional Resume
  • IEP Implementation
  • Behavior Plan Implementation
  • Data Collection
  • Progress Monitoring
  • Differentiated Instruction
  • One-on-One Instruction
  • Classroom Support
  • Instructional Scaffolding
  • Curriculum Adaptation
  • Assistive Technology
  • Student Supervision
  • Team Collaboration
  • Behavior Management
  • Professional Communication
  • Student Motivation
  • Parent Communication
  • Student Advocacy
  • Emotional Support
  • Classroom Management
  • Problem Solving

Summary of Paraprofessional Knowledge and Qualifications on Resume

1. BA in Accounting with 4 years of Experience

  • Experience preparing Sales & Use Tax returns.
  • Solid organizational skills with a demonstrated ability to multitask.
  • Experience working in a professional services firm.
  • Must have strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Software (Excel, Word, Outlook).
  • Must have the ability to prioritize and handle the pressure of working within tight deadlines.
  • Ability to solve problems with limited information, often in short time frames.
  • Excellent communication and presentation (verbal and written) skills.
  • Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with firm and client personnel at all levels.
  • Ability to work overtime.

2. BA in General Studies with 1 year of Experience

  • Demonstrated accountability, reliability, punctuality, and regular attendance with the ability to accept responsibility for actions and outcomes.
  • Strong attention to accuracy with the ability to complete tasks thoroughly and consistently.
  • Effective oral and written communication skills.
  • Ability to work respectfully and effectively with individuals of diverse ages, backgrounds, roles, and abilities.
  • Positive interpersonal skills, including friendliness, tact, patience, and professionalism in daily interactions.
  • Sound judgment and ethical conduct, demonstrating honesty, integrity, and adherence to accepted standards.
  • Self-motivated with initiative, enthusiasm, and the ability to remain energetic while maintaining quality performance.
  • Strong organizational skills.
  • Ability to remain calm, focused, and productive while working under pressure or in stressful situations.
  • Basic computer proficiency.

3. BA in Social Work with 2 years of Experience

  • Documented experience working with at-risk children, adolescents, and families.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of and sensitivity to diverse cultures.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to effectively elicit/provide information to and from appropriate individuals.
  • Flexible work schedule, including the ability to work evenings and weekends.
  • Must have computer proficiency.
  • Ability to consistently adhere to confidentiality standards and maintain professional boundaries at all times.
  • Strong commitment to quality, accuracy, attention to detail, and effective time management.

4. BS in Special Education with 3 years of Experience

  • Knowledge of special education compliance standards, classroom policies and procedures, and behavior management practices.
  • Ability to use district-approved crisis intervention techniques and proactively support student health and safety.
  • Proficiency with software applications such as MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and the ability to operate standard office equipment.
  • Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Ability to assist with teaching social interaction, play skills, and self-help skills with patience and care.
  • Capability to physically assist students with special needs, including lifting to 50 pounds.
  • Ability to prepare, maintain, and manage accurate student and program records.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively under the direction of others and collaborate cooperatively in a team environment.
  • Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with staff, teachers, parents, and the public while embracing diversity.
  • Willing to work a flexible schedule, tolerate exposure to varying environments.

5. BA in Education with 1 year of Experience

  • Related experience working with at-risk, high school–age youth.
  • Knowledge of instructional strategies, learning methodologies, classroom and behavioral management techniques, and approaches that support diverse learning styles.
  • Ability to support curriculum delivery, assist with assessing student learning, and use technology effectively as an educational tool.
  • Demonstrated ability to build positive teaching rapport that supports student achievement and engagement.
  • Strong collaboration skills with the ability to work as part of a team and support site staff in meeting program goals.
  • Empathetic, patient, respectful, and flexible.
  • Willing to accept additional duties, varied schedules, and extracurricular assignments.

6. BA in English as a Second Language (ESL) Education with 2 years of Experience

  • Experience working in an SEI/ELL classroom.
  • Experience working with diverse student populations.
  • Culturally proficient and sensitive to multi-cultural, bilingual populations.
  • Clear verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English.
  • Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
  • Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
  • Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

7. BS in Accounting with 3 years of Experience

  • Accounting experience, ideally public accounting experience.
  • Solid accounting skills in functions such as bank reconciliations, general ledger analysis, journal entries, payroll and sales tax, depreciation, and monthly/quarterly/year-end closings.
  • Ability to assist other team members with the delivery of engagements.
  • Ability to take ownership and manage the bookkeeping responsibilities of assigned clients.
  • Solid organizational skills with a demonstrated ability to multitask.
  • Must have the ability to prioritize and handle the pressure of working within tight deadlines.
  • Strong knowledge and experience with Word, Outlook, Excel, and QuickBooks.
  • Ability to work overtime during tax season.

8. BA in Community Education with 1 year of Experience

  • Demonstrated ability to effectively support students from diverse cultural, economic, and ability backgrounds.
  • Ability to encourage parent and community involvement and communicate professionally by responding to phone calls and emails.
  • Willingness to participate in professional development and required professional activities.
  • Ability to support and participate in extracurricular activities, including clubs, athletics, and student organizations.
  • Detail-oriented with the ability to carry out assigned tasks accurately and thoroughly.
  • Ability to speak effectively to students, parents, and employees of the organization.
  • Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
  • Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent, and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

9. BS in Mental Health Services with 2 years of Experience

  • Experience in a health care setting.
  • Knowledge obtained through experience in mental health or developmental disability.
  • Ability to escort, assist, and/or transport program participants.
  • Ability to work with mental health and/or developmentally disabled individuals.
  • Ability to assist and/or support individuals in emergencies that require full physical assistance.
  • Ability to physically restrain individuals exhibiting unsafe behavior.
  • Ability to follow policies, procedures, and directions.
  • Ability to work and communicate with others.

10. BA in Educational Studies with 1 year of Experience

  • Ability to adapt to changing technologies and quickly learn new equipment, systems, and tools.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills.
  • Computer proficiency, including office productivity applications.
  • Ability to create, manage, and maintain accurate records while ensuring confidentiality and data privacy.
  • Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
  • Demonstrated ability to establish positive, professional working relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds and roles.
  • Team-oriented, detail-focused, flexible, and dependable, with strong problem-solving and collaborative skills.
  • Commitment to supporting students, promoting a positive school climate, and maintaining professionalism at all times.
  • Willingness to participate in required training, professional development, and specialized instruction to meet student and position needs.

11. BA in Early Childhood Education with 2 years of Experience

  • Ability to obtain Highly Qualified Paraprofessional (HQP) status.
  • Prior experience in a PreK or early childhood education setting.
  • Basic computer proficiency, including word processing, email, and common software applications such as Word and Excel.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to report information orally or in writing to a supervisor.
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team and collaborate with parents, staff, students, and community partners.
  • Ability to follow written and oral instructions and carry out assigned tasks accurately.
  • Ability to perform basic arithmetic operations to support student learning.
  • Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds while maintaining confidentiality of student and employee information.
  • Demonstrated ability to establish supportive, compassionate relationships with students, including those with special needs.

12. BS in Developmental Disabilities Studies with 3 years of Experience

  • Paraprofessional Licensure for the State of Illinois
  • Understanding of the purpose of the IEP and how it controls the student's school program and schedule.
  • Experience working in data entry.
  • Prior experience in providing youth with assistance to maintain a well-groomed appearance and a safe environment.
  • Experience working with people with developmental disabilities.
  • Experience working in a classroom setting.
  • Demonstrable ability to reinforce material initially introduced by the teacher and to guide students with enrichment, remedial, and independent work as set up by the teacher.
  • Knowledge of general office computer software applications, as well as the use of the internet.
  • Appropriate oral and written communication skills.
  • Must have the physical ability, dexterity, endurance, and temperament to work with students.

13. BA in Youth Development with 1 year of Experience

  • Previous work experience working with youth or in a school setting.
  • Current and active Instructional Aide licensure, or able to obtain a license.
  • Ability to work well under pressure.
  • Effectively prioritize and execute tasks to meet deadlines.
  • Able to manage confidential information.
  • High-quality written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.

14. BA in Elementary Education with 2 years of Experience

  • Valid Paraprofessional Licensure from the Illinois State Board of Education.
  • Successful completion of the Work Keys Test.
  • Previous paraprofessional experience with elementary school-aged children.
  • Flexible and reliable.
  • Ability to work effectively and regularly with a computer.
  • Must have adequate verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to function under the direction of the teacher.
  • Possess good judgment.
  • Ability to establish rapport with students.
  • Ability to maintain positive relationships with program staff.