Top 25 Paraprofessional Interview Questions (With Sample Answers)

· Updated August 11, 2024 · 10 minutes · by Kamerpower ·

Top 25 Paraprofessional Interview Questions (With Sample Answers). If you’re looking for a job in special education, you may need to go through a job interview. A Paraprofessional, or Educational Assistant, works in the classroom to help elementary and high school students with cognitive, behavioural, or physical disabilities succeed academically. 

Their primary duties include helping children integrate into the classroom, providing additional resource materials to aid learning, and reporting each student’s progress to the teacher. If you’re getting ready to interview for the role of a paraprofessional, you can expect employers to evaluate your planning and instructional approaches, classroom management techniques and interpersonal skills.

What is a Paraprofessional?

A paraprofessional is a special needs educator who works in coordination with a lead teacher to provide additional support to special needs students within an integrated classroom setting.

Be prepared to answer questions about your interests, goals, skills and general professional traits at the interview, which help the interviewer get to know you and gauge your fit for their school culture.

Paraprofessional General Interview Questions

• What qualifies you to work for our school?
• What do you consider your strengths?
• What have you done to support classroom teachers in the assessment and evaluation of special needs students?
• What is a weakness you’re currently improving?
• How would you initiate communication with a non-verbal student?
• Can you describe your instructional approach to children with learning disorders versus children with behavioral disorders?
• How do you approach team collaboration?
• What are your professional values?
• What are your goals?
• What do you do to foster open communication with your students?
• Tell me about yourself.
• Why do you want to work for our school district?
• What do you know about our special needs program?
• How did you learn of this job position?
• Have you ever worked with students with communication devices?

What does a Paraprofessional do?

Paraprofessionals provide instructional, behavioral, and other support to students in the classroom or other areas of the campus. Paraprofessionals often work one-on-one with special needs children who may be receiving services like speech therapy or occupational counseling while they’re away from school for an extended period of time.

Paraprofessional Interview Questions and Answers Samples

1. Can you describe a time when you had to perform your lead teacher’s role when no substitute was available? How did you approach the situation?

The interviewer may want to know how you handle stressful situations and how you approach leadership roles in an emergency. Use an example from your experience that demonstrates your ability to maintain a special needs classroom independently, highlights your classroom management skills and showcases your problem-solving skills.

2. How do you support the goals of special needs teachers and the goals of general education teachers for students in integrated learning environments?

The interviewer may ask this type of question to understand how you balance the needs of students with disabilities who integrate with general education classrooms. Give examples of how you helped special education teachers and general education teachers integrate different learning objectives and assessment techniques to balance differences between students’ general and special education classes.

3. What makes you qualified to work as a paraprofessional at our school?

The candidate can demonstrate they’re eligible for the job by presenting the necessary licenses and academic certifications for the role. Asking this question lets you know whether the candidate has extra training for the job such as a valid education certifications, various skills they gained that may assist them as a paraprofessional, a certain amount of training as a paraprofessional. 

4. Which methods have you used in the past to assist students with special needs?

“In my previous job as a paraprofessional, I taught students who were deaf and one paraplegic child. I learned a lot about how to accommodate them during lessons and outside of class. I also learned Canadian sign language so I could communicate clearly with the hearing impaired students.”

5. How would you handle conflict between you and another teacher?

Conflict often occurs in the classroom, as the paraprofessional may disagree with a teacher’s decision about something. This question helps you know how the candidate handles conflict. A favorable answer will show Understanding of their role in the classroom , conflict resolution skills, Teamwork skills.

6. What steps do you take to support substitute teachers in managing the special needs classroom while your lead teacher is out?

School employers want to know that you can take on the lead teaching role in an emergency situation and support substitute teachers who may not have experience in a special needs classroom. Give examples of how you ensure substitutes can access resources, communicate with other faculty and staff and apply management techniques in the classroom.

7. How do you ensure effective communication with parents and families?

“I always use several forms of communication, including email messages and updates through our school’s mobile app. I sometimes make a personal phone call to parents and families, especially if I need to update a parent last-minute. Another method I use to make sure parents and families are up-to-date on classroom activities is by sending a weekly newsletter home with students every Monday.

8. How do you organize learning materials for different classes?

This question helps you evaluate the candidate’s ability to manage their time and organizational skills. An example answer is: “In my last job, I went to school an hour before lessons and organized the learning materials for each of my classes. I listed the class name and the required materials to make distribution easier. By the time lessons began, every class had the required material for the day.”

9. Why do you want to work as a paraprofessional?

Talk about qualities that make from you a good applicant for the position. You have decent understanding for the emotions and needs of young students, and enjoy being around children. Flexibility and patience will help you to handle the demands of the job. Career of a paraprofessional is an ideal choice for you at the moment. You believe that you will enjoy the job, but also bring some value to the classroom, and help the students understand the instructions of their teachers.

10. Are you familiar with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, is a federal law that governs special education in the United States. The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of special education laws and regulations. In your answer, try to show that you understand how these laws affect your work as a special education paraprofessional.

11. Have you undergone any training as a paraprofessional or teacher?

If you completed any online training modules, read some books on special education, or attended classes for teachers or paras, you should definitely mention it in an interview. And if you did not have a chance to do any training, ensure the hiring committee that you’d love to. Most schools help paraprofessionals with their education. You may get an opportunity to attend some courses for teachers, and in some cases the school will even help you to get a certification. Regardless of your current situation, you should ensure them that you understand the importance of continual education.

12. How would you handle a situation where a student is having a meltdown and you are unable to calm them down?

Special education students sometimes have meltdowns, and it’s important for the interviewer to know that you can handle these situations effectively. Use examples from your experience in which you helped a student calm down during a meltdown.

13. What are your expectations on teachers you’d work with in the classes?

Answer sample: To be honest, I do not expect much from them. Look, each of us has their role in the classroom. It is not my job to evaluate the quality of their teaching, or to tell them what they should do. I want to focus on the students, and on my job. Having said that, I still hope for a good and open communication. If they do not like something I do in the classroom, they should tell me. I embrace constructive criticism, because I am new in this field, and hope to learn from more experienced colleagues.

14. Which activities do you participate in that take place outside the classroom?

This question informs you of the candidate’s attitude toward their work. Schools may require paraprofessionals to take part in activities outside the classroom. An ideal candidate would likely have a positive attitude toward extracurricular activities. In your answer include: Experience leading students through extracurricular activities, Enthusiasm, an interest in extracurricular activities. 

15. You repeat something to a student two times, but they still fail to get the point. What will you do?

Patience and persistence are words to remember. Say that you will rephrase the message several times, and (when applicable) you will use demonstration or practical examples to help them get the point. Simply say you won’t give up easily. You will continue trying, using different methods of explanation. At the end they may still fail to understand, but you will at least know that you tried everything within your possibilities.

16. If you encountered parents or families of students while out in public and they wanted to raise concerns or discuss a classroom issue, how would you handle the situation?

This question can help interviewers understand your approach to maintaining professional conduct and following professional ethics while you’re out in public. Describe an example where you exercised your professionalism, communicated effectively and helped solve a problem.

17. What is your experience working with students with special needs?

To answer this question, think about which special needs you’ve worked with before and what strategies you used to support those students. Special education paraprofessionals often work with students who have a variety of special needs. Employers ask this question to learn more about your experience working with these types of students and how you can help their students succeed in the classroom. 

18. What is your experience with technology, such as online portals, to grade papers?

Sample Answer: “I’ve used online portals to grade papers as well as to communicate with parents and manage assignments. I started taking computer classes a few months ago to help me improve my technology skills.”

19. If we hire you, what will the first thing you’ll do in your new job?

Sample answer: I know that you send all new para educators for an extensive training for two weeks, which includes shadowing more experienced colleagues in the classrooms. I honestly think that it is an excellent idea, and the best way to ensure the smooth transition from theory to the reality of the job. I cannot wait to join the training, and learn from more experienced colleagues.

20. Provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond to help a student learn a new skill or complete an assignment.

Special education teachers often rely on paraprofessionals to help students learn new skills or complete assignments. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time you helped a student overcome a challenge and achieve success.

21. What do you think your role entails in the classroom?

Your answer should include: An understanding of the responsibilities that come with being a paraprofessional. A detailed explanation of the paraprofessional’s role in the classroom. An eagerness to support students with their learning.

22. How would you react to a student crying during break time?

This question shows you the candidate’s level of compassion when dealing with students. Practicing empathy and patience when interacting with students is an essential skill for paraprofessionals. A satisfactory response portrays: Empathy, Concern for children undergoing tough times and Interest in finding the cause of the problem.

23. If a student is having difficulty communicating, how would you determine their needs and how to meet them?

In your answer, try to describe the steps you would take when meeting with a student who is having difficulty communicating. Special education paraprofessionals must be able to assess students’ needs and develop strategies for helping them. Interviewers may ask this question to evaluate your ability to determine a student’s learning style, communication preferences and other factors that can help you create an effective plan of action. 

24. How well do you handle stress and pressure?

Special education teachers often face challenges in the classroom, and employers ask this question to make sure you can handle these situations. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you are a strong problem-solver who is able to stay calm under pressure.

25. What are the limitations of your duties compared to those of a teacher?

A good answer should include at least one limitation, it should acknowledge the two different roles and should Accept the teacher’s authority. This question makes you aware of the candidate’s ability to distinguish their responsibilities from those of a teacher. An ideal candidate should demonstrate that they understand how their responsibilities vary from that of the teacher. 

List of Paraprofessional Interview Questions about background and experience

• What is your approach to classroom management?
• Can you describe how you implement differentiation strategies for special needs students?
• Do you have experience collaborating with ABA therapists?
• What assessments have you administered to students in past roles?
• What were some tasks you supported your supervising teacher with in your last job?
• How do you help ESE teachers implement instructional strategies?
• What is your education level?
• Do you plan to earn your teaching degree?
• What certifications do you hold?
• Have you ever had a disagreement with a lead teacher about instructional methods? How did you resolve it?
• Can you describe a time when you implemented a strategy or solution that improved student outcomes?
• How do you implement progress monitoring?
• What do you do to foster open communication with your students?
• Have you ever worked with students with communication devices?
• How do you distinguish an intentional behavior from disability-driven behaviors?
• How do you handle challenging behaviors from students with disabilities?
• How would you initiate communication with a non-verbal student?

What is the difference between a Paraprofessional and a Teacher Assistant?

A Paraprofessional may help the teacher with certain tasks, but their primary focus is to help students learn in a manner that works for them. They develop learning strategies to contribute to student success. A Teaching Assistant rarely works directly with students. Instead, they assist the teacher in managing their workload by correcting assignments, making photocopies, researching, and preparing class materials.

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