The Paraeducator Career and Technical Education Pathway

Develop the Next Generation of Educators—Starting in High School!

Give students a head start on a meaningful career in education. The Paraeducator Career and Technical Education Pathway is designed to spark interest and build foundational skills for high school students, serving as an introduction to the rewarding world of teaching and classroom support. This program empowers students to explore the education profession while gaining experience supporting diverse student populations and meeting varied student needs.

Whether students are interested in becoming teachers, classroom aides, or specialists, this pathway offers them the essential knowledge, practical strategies, and professional readiness they need in order to confidently take their first steps into the education workforce and make a difference in K-12 education.

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Explore the Pathway

Students in this pathway will gain experience across eight specialized learning paths, each designed to develop confidence, competence, & career readiness.

Foundations for Paraeducators (5 hours)

Build a strong base in instructional roles and fundamental topics like professionalism, confidentiality, FERPA, and HIPAA.

Para 102: The First Day on the Job (45 min)
Para 103: Confidentiality, FERPA, and HIPAA (45 min)
Para 239: Professionalism and Ethical Practice for Paraeducators (60 min)
Para 234: Building & Maintaining Respectful Relationships with Students (60 min)
Para 104: Understanding the Many Types of Special Programs (30 min)
Para 115: Developing Positive Communication Skills (45 min)
Para 113: Communicating with Student Teams (45 min)

Early Childhood (5 hours)

Explore developmentally appropriate practices for engaging young learners in PreK–2 settings.

Para 177: Understanding Early Childhood Disabilities (60 min)
Para 178: Developmentally Appropriate Practices in Early Childhood (60 min)
Para 228: Early Childhood Development: Early Literacy (75 min)
Para 231: Early Childhood Development: Early Math (60 min)
Para 233: Early Childhood Development: Early Science (60 min)

Behavior Management (5 hours)

Understand student behavior, develop strategies for support, and foster positive learning environments.

Para 110: Classroom and Behavior Management (30 min)
Para 435: Basics of Positive Behavior Support (45 min)
Para 124: Providing Positive Behavioral Supports for Individual Students (30 min)
Para 197: Examining Functions of Behavior and Learning Strategies to Support Behavior (60 min)
Para 123: Implementing and Monitoring Behavior Intervention Plans (30 min)
Para 430: Strategies for Working with Defensive Students (45 min)
Para 223: Bullying Awareness, Prevention, and Intervention (45 min)

Instructional Support (5 hours)

Learn how to assist in lesson delivery, small-group instruction, and individual student support.

Para 111: Paraeducator Roles and Responsibilities in the Classroom (30 min)
Para 101: Understanding Inclusion (45 min)
Para 245: How to Read an IEP (60 min)
Para 108: Introduction to Accommodations and Modifications (30 min)
Para 109: Supporting Students with Accommodations and Modifications (45 min)
Para 236: What Is Response to Intervention (RTI)? (60 min)
Para 158: The Roles of Paraeducators in Promoting Active Learning (45 min)

Supporting Students with Disabilities (5 hours)

Examine best practices for inclusion and learn how to meet the needs of students with diverse abilities and needs.

Para 105: An Introduction to IDEA's 13 Areas of Disability (Part I) (60 min)
Para 106: An Introduction to IDEA's 13 Areas of Disability (Part II) (60 min)
Para 157: Characteristics of Adolescents with Disabilities (60 min)
Para 226: Understanding Common Concerns of Families of Individuals with Disabilities (60 min)
Para 122: Providing Personal and Physical Support for Students with Physical Disabilities (45 min)
Para 181: Supporting Students with Specific Learning Disabilities (60 min)

Digital Safety and Data Privacy (3 hours)

Equip students with the knowledge and tools to navigate the digital world responsibly, protect sensitive information, and safeguard student data in compliance with privacy regulations.

Para 1200: Online Safety and Data Privacy (45 min)
Para 1205: Tools That Reveal the Information You Share When You Browse (30 min)
Para 1210: Managing Your Digital Footprint (30 min)
Para 1215: Keeping Student Data Private (30 min)
Para 1220: Information Literacy on the Web (45 min)
Para 1225: Copyright Essentials (30 min)

Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (3 hours)

Learn research-based strategies for working with students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to enhance their experience and maximize their success in the school setting.

Para 141: Autism Spectrum Disorder: Diagnosis and Characteristics (45 min)
Para 142: Autism Spectrum Disorder: Social Interactions and Skill Development (30 min)
Para 143: Autism Spectrum Disorder: Communication (45 min)
Para 144: Autism Spectrum Disorder: Challenging Behaviors (45 min)
Para 209: Autism Spectrum Disorder: Prompting Strategies (45 min)

Paraeducator Title I Training and Certification (9 hours)

Prepare students to become Highly Qualified Paraeducators through training and assessment aligned with federal Title I requirements.

Para 118: Supporting Instruction: Reading (60 min)
Para 119: Supporting Instruction: Writing (30 min)
Para 120: Supporting Instruction: Mathematics (30 min)
Para 130: Reading Comprehension: Narrative Texts (30 min)
Para 131: Reading Comprehension: Informative Texts (30 min)
Para 132: Reading Comprehension: Decoding Language and Utilizing Layout (30 min)
Para 133: Writing Fundamentals: Parts of Speech and Effective Sentences (45 min)
Para 134: Writing Fundamentals: Mechanics of Writing (45 min)
Para 135: Mathematics: Understanding the Basic Skills (30 min)
Para 136: Mathematics: Fractions, Decimals, and Percentages (60 min)
Para 137: Basic Algebra (60 min)
Para 138: Basic Geometry (30 min)
Para 139: Basic Data Analysis (60 min)

What Sets This Pathway Apart?

Developed by educational experts with extensive experience in teacher training and supporting all student populations
Flexible and scalable for campus and district implementation
A valuable gateway to future education degrees or certification programs

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Alignment to Standards

The Paraeducator Career and Technical Education Pathway is aligned to the Common Career Technical Core developed by Advance CTE, the core career readiness competencies determined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, and federal requirements for Title I paraeducator qualification.

Additionally, the pathway advances the goals of Perkins V (the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act) by promoting equity, expanding access, and offering high-quality career preparation in the field of education.

Through this alignment, high school students gain foundational knowledge of the education profession while developing transferable skills that prepare them for both postsecondary education and entry into the workforce.

Career Cluster: Education

Early Childhood Development
Learner Support & Community Engagement
Teaching, Training, & Facilitation

Testimonials

“The Paraeducator Career and Technical Education Pathway has had a significant positive impact on our Career and Technical Education students. Through this program, students gain practical skills that directly translate to real-world applications, enhancing their ability to support diverse learning environments. At Maricopa High School, students are not only better prepared to assist in classroom settings, but they also gain hands-on experience by working in Life Skills classes and visiting local elementary schools weekly. This exposure has led to increased employment opportunities, with some students securing positions before graduation. The program has strengthened classroom dynamics by fostering well-trained, confident student aides who contribute meaningfully to instructional effectiveness.”

Emily Maxwell, Assistant Principal, Maricopa Unified School District, AZ

"The Master Teacher’s Paraeducator Title I Training and Certification learning modules and test preparation resources have been a game-changer for the high school students in our Grow Our Own para-teacher prep program. Thanks to the high-quality, user-friendly online training modules, our students have overwhelmingly passed their assessments on the first attempt. The content is engaging and relevant, and it prepares them for success. What has stood out just as much as the learning modules is the exceptional customer service. The Master Teacher team has provided outstanding training, prompt support, and a personal touch, all of which have made our experience seamless and supported from start to finish. Their staff cares about teacher and student success and goes above and beyond to ensure that we feel confident and equipped. We are incredibly grateful for this partnership and highly recommend their Paraeducator program to other districts looking for effective and reliable solutions."

Carla Smith, Teacher Academy Coordinator, Renton School District, WA

“I have had many students go on to work for our school district as a paraprofessional, and they often go on to gain their educational certification. The Paraeducator Career and Technical Education Pathway has greatly benefited many of my students. It gives them the confidence to go out and look for industry employment as they pursue their education. Not all of my students go on to become teachers; however, many of them have worked in the field and taken college courses at the same time. It is definitely an advantage for them.”

Johnna Young, CTE Teacher, Douglas Unified School District, AZ

“As a teacher in early childhood education (ECE), having paraprofessionals who are well-trained and knowledgeable is invaluable. The Paraeducator Career and Technical Education Pathway has proven to be an excellent resource for my ECE students. The program was remarkably easy to use with straightforward navigation and clear layout of the online platform. The length of the lessons was also a significant benefit. The training provided comprehensive information without being overly time-consuming. This allowed my students to learn effectively without feeling overwhelmed or having to dedicate excessive hours outside of class. The focused modules were just the right amount of information to absorb at once. I would recommend the Paraeducator Career and Technical Education Pathway. It’s a well-designed and effective program that truly benefits both the ECE students and the CTE teacher.”

Melanie Alexander, ECE Teacher, Chandler Unified School District, AZ

“As an Education Professions Teacher, this program has been truly impactful for my students. I have had many students hired as paraeducators immediately after graduating high school. Through this program, my students are prepared and certified Paraeducators. I am thankful for everything this program offers!”

Laura Edwards, Education Professions Teacher, Buckeye Union High School District, AZ

“The end goal [of this program] is for students to be able to apply what they've learned in the classroom and the school as a facilitator but then also to see the certificate after each course. It makes them feel like they are being successful. My students go out and work at different elementary schools, so when they see the results of their test, it gives them more confidence in the workplace. They think, ‘I do know what I’m doing. I am offering them support.’ They walk into work with pride, and they feel confident to say, ‘Hey, I can make this a pathway for my future.’ They go into job interviews well-prepared. I have students now that have graduated and are teachers at the elementary schools here in town. So, they come back. They go to college, and then they’ll return to their community and get their teaching experience, full circle. I really only have positive things to say about it.”

Catherine Sotomayor, CTE Teacher, Nogales Unified School District, AZ