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The Successful Paraprofessional
How to Make a Difference Supporting Students and Teachers
This book is for the dedicated paraprofessionals who provide invaluable support in classrooms. Author, principal, and former paraeducator Kristen Nelson offers a practical, on-the-spot guide to the profession—for paraprofessionals, teachers, and school leaders who want to support their staff. She provides empowering strategies for managing classroom demands, managing behavior, and fostering a mindset that ensures the work is both meaningful and rewarding.
Benefits
- Appreciate the scope of the paraprofessional’s role and its potential for profound impact.
- Cultivate mindsets and approaches that encourage growth, collaboration, and flexibility.
- Acquire skills to support students with varying learning needs and behavioral challenges.
- Develop the capacity to support the primary educator, and lead and teach when necessary.
- Establish a healthy balance between professional demands and personal well-being.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction: A Guide for Paraprofessionals
Chapter 1: Being a Superhero Paraprofessional
Chapter 2: Developing a Paraprofessional Mindset
Chapter 3: Supporting Students With Special Needs
Chapter 4: Supporting Students With Behavioral and Attention Challenges
Chapter 5: Championing Social-Emotional Well-Being
Chapter 6: Supporting Students With Learning Challenges
Chapter 7: Serving as the Main Educator
Chapter 8: Ensuring Self-Care and Continuing to Grow
Epilogue: The Power of Your Work
PRINTABLE REPRODUCIBLES
Chapter 1: Being a Superhero Paraprofessional
Chapter 2: Developing a Paraprofessional Mindset
Chapter 3: Supporting Students With Special Needs
Chapter 4: Supporting Students With Behavioral and Attention Challenges
- Figure 4.2: Visual Cue Cards to Wear, Display, or Carry
- Notes and Reflections: Supporting Students With Behavioral and Attention Challenges
Chapter 5: Championing Social-Emotional Well-Being
Chapter 6: Supporting Students With Learning Challenges
Chapter 7: Serving as the Main Educator
Chapter 8: Ensuring Self-Care and Continuing to Grow
SUGGESTED RESOURCES
Books
- Bailey, K., & Nelson, K. (2024). The successful substitute: How to prepare, grow, and flourish as a guest teacher. Solution Tree Press.
- Cohen, R. K., Opatosky, D. K., Savage, J., Stevens, S. O., & Darrah, E. P. (2021). The metacognitive student: How to teach academic, social, and emotional intelligence in every content area. Solution Tree Press.
- DuFour, R., DuFour, R., Eaker, R., Many, T. W., Mattos, M., & Muhammad, A. (2024). Learning by doing: A handbook for Professional Learning Communities at Work (4th ed.). Solution Tree Press.
- Hannigan, J., & Djabrayan Hannigan, J. (2024). Behavior academies: Targeted interventions that work! Solution Tree Press.
- Hierck, T., & Weber, C. (2025). Positive behaviors start with positive mindsets: Twenty-eight actions to motivate students and boost achievement. Solution Tree Press.
- Katz, S. B. (2025). The SWIRL method: Supporting multilingual learners as they speak, write, interact, read, and listen. Solution Tree Press.
- Mattos, M., Buffum, A., Malone, J., Cruz, L. F., Dimich, N., & Schuhl, S. (2025). Taking action: A handbook for RTI at Work™ (2nd ed.). Solution Tree Press.
- Reibel, A. R. (2023). Embracing relational teaching: How strong relationships promote student self-regulation and efficacy. Solution Tree Press.
Websites
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
- National Center for Learning Disabilities
- Autism Speaks
- Autistic Self Advocacy Network
- The Arc
- American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
- National Association of the Deaf
- Hearing Loss Association of America
- American Foundation for the Blind
- National Federation of the Blind
- Child Mind Institute
- Mental Health America
- Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
- Epilepsy Foundation
- Tourette Association of America
- Brain Injury Association of America
- National Association of Special Education Teachers
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
