What is the main responsibility of a paraprofessional in a classroom?

The main responsibility of a paraprofessional in a classroom is to assist professional educators in various duties. Paraprofessionals play a supportive role that involves working alongside teachers to provide additional help in the classroom environment. This may include helping with lesson preparation, managing classroom activities, providing one-on-one support to students who need extra assistance, and reinforcing learning concepts under the guidance of a professional educator. Their support helps to ensure that students receive the attention they need to succeed, allowing teachers to focus more on instruction.

Leading classes on their own or developing new curriculum materials typically falls within the responsibilities of licensed educators, as they require a level of expertise, training, and decision-making authority that paraprofessionals do not possess. Similarly, evaluating student grades and assessments is generally conducted by teachers, who are responsible for assessing student learning outcomes. Paraprofessionals contribute significantly but do so primarily through assistance rather than leading or assessing.