Paraprofessionals

Paraprofessionals provide instructional and non-instructional supports and services for students in an educational and work settings. A special education paraprofessional is a person who works with one or more students with disabilities under the direction of a teacher or certified professional. Paraprofessionals may be known by various titles, including a teacher’s aide, teacher assistant, paraeducator, one-to-one aide, instructional aide, job coach, or personal care assistant (PCA).

In Pennsylvania, two types of paraprofessionals work with students with disabilities: instructional paraprofessionals and personal care assistants (PCA).