What is a Paraprofessional?

Paraprofessionals are crucial members of a school’s support staff. They are credentialed education professionals who work alongside and under the direction of a certified teacher or school professional. They provide instructional, behavioral and other support to students, often working one-on-one with students.

Some paraprofessionals work with students in a special education classroom. Others may work with students in a general education classroom or rotate to support all the classes in a specific grade level.

Our Paraprofessional Training Certification Course

This completely online, completely free, nine-week course combines High School Equivalency coursework and education pedagogy to prepare participants for working with students in a K-12 setting. Students complete five hours of coursework each week; 15 hours are Adult Basic Education Instruction; 20 hours are occupational training; 10 hours are employability training. Orientations held monthly. 

Other Information

Upon completion of the program, Indy Reads will pay the testing fee for the participant. Indy Reads will also offer career counseling resumé writing, and soft skills development.

Update for 2022-2023 Enrollment:

Thank you for your interest in joining the Paraprofessional certification class at Indy Reads. Our intake of new students for the current program year (July 2022 – May 2023) has ended. 

Please complete this interest form to give us your contact information. We will follow up with potential students in July to start orientations for the new program year that begins in August 2023. 

Our prospective student form will re-open on July 10th, 2023.  

Students seeking ELL classes are welcome to join our In-Person ELL Conversation Circle held at Indy Reads. The Conversation Circle group meets every Wednesday from 6-7pm at 1066 Virginia Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46203. 

We look forward to meeting you soon!