SEARCY, Ar. (LP) — Para-Professionals, Teachers Aids, Para-Pros, or Educational Assistant. These wonderful people go by many different titles.  An associate’s degree is usually required for teacher aide positions. Lion Press wanted to get a first-hand look at what a paraprofessional does and find out how the teachers feel about having them in their classrooms. Lion Press first interviewed Mrs. Cindy Scallion, a Paraprofessional of 18 years and is now at Searcy High School. Our first question for her was, “why did you take this job?”  Mrs. Cindy Scallion stated, “I taught Sunday School, I love kids I love being around kids.“ We then asked Mrs. Scallion, “what subject do you like to help the teachers teach?” “I like math, I like health, I like science And I like the transition area where we help ya’ll get ready to go out in the world.

Lion Press then went to  Mrs. Dana Ritter, a teacher at the Searcy Learning Center, “do you think Paraprofessionals are beneficial to teachers?” She stated, ‘yes, they are!  It’s nice to have the extra person there to help out because a lot of my students need one on one instructions. I can’t be sitting by every student at the same time so they’re able to help them so the kids get the one on one attention they need.  

Mrs. Ritter was then asked, “do you think Paraprofessionals are given the appreciation they deserve?”  No! I think there are times that people overlook the job of a Paraprofessionals. I think sometimes they are looked down upon when they are a great asset to the education field. I don’t think they get told enough times how they are appreciated

If you are involved in education in any way, try to take time to thank a Paraprofessional for what they do.