Paraprofessional certification

Prepare for a career in K-12 education with a free paraprofessional certification

What is a Paraprofessional?

Paraprofessionals are teacher assistants. This free, online, ten-week course prepares you to work with students in a K-12 setting in Indiana.

Why be a parapro?

  • In-Demand Career: Indiana schools are now hiring!
  • Earning Potential: Typical pay is $12-$23/hour
  • Flexible Schedule: Work during school hours or before/after school
  • Fun: A rewarding job working with children!
Women and young children sit on the floor at Indy Reads to work on coloring books.
Kierra D.'s headshot

I think education is important. I’m Black; I’m a woman; and I come from the inner city. I don’t think you can do a lot of things in life if you don’t have education behind you. In five years, I definitely want to have my own childcare center. Early childhood education is like the foremost important education, because it kind of sets the foundation of where you can go.

— Kierra D., Paraprofessional Certification Graduate 

About our free online Paraprofessional Certification Course

Complete five hours of online coursework each week. 

  • Learn reading, language, and math skills needed to pass the parapro certification exam. The exam must be taken in-person at a testing center.
  • Gain classroom management and teaching skills.
  • Complete most work on your own schedule. You will also meet online with your instructor and other students for one hour weekly (Friday evenings or Saturday mornings: your choice!)
Two adults at a table concentrate on papers in front of them.
Jean reads to a group of kids at Indy Reads in the Big Chair during storytime.

Paraprofessional Certification Course Requirements

More about the Paraprofessional Certification Course 

  • Upon completion of the program, Indy Reads will pay the testing fee for the participant.
  • Indy Reads will also offer career counseling, resumé writing assistance, and development of soft skills like preparing for a job interview, email etiquette, conflict resolution, and problem-solving. 
  • Many jobs available for multilingual candidates.
A man holds up a children's book to a young child at Indy Reads.

Thank you for your interest in Indy Reads’ Paraprofessional Certification!

Please give us a call at 317.384.1496 or email us at [email protected] to get started.

We look forward to meeting you soon!