paraprofessional

noun

para·​pro·​fes·​sion·​al ˌper-ə--prə-ˈfesh-nəl 

-ˈfe-shə-nᵊl,

ˌpa-rə-

: a trained aide who assists a professional person (such as a teacher or doctor)

paraprofessional adjective

Examples of paraprofessional in a Sentence

There is at least one paraprofessional in each classroom.

Recent Examples on the Web

Coble, who worked as a paraprofessional with the Woodmore Local School District, has since been placed on unpaid administrative leave, a school official confirmed in a statement to PEOPLE. —Nicole Acosta, People.com, 9 Jan. 2025

Coble, who’s employed as a paraprofessional at the Woodmore Local School District, allegedly raped the student at his home on Monday, when schools were closed due to inclement weather, investigators said. —Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2025

Coble is employed as a paraprofessional — which is similar to a teacher’s aide — at Woodmore Local School District in Elmore, Sheriff Chris Hilton told McClatchy News. —Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2025

Friction point: Districts and unions are also at odds over how much to pay paraprofessionals, aides who help manage classrooms, work with students with disabilities and provide one-on-one support. —Mike Deehan, Axios, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

paraprofessional

noun

para·​pro·​fes·​sion·​al ˌpar-ə-prə-ˈfesh-nəl 

-ən-ᵊl

: a person trained to assist a professional person (as a teacher or doctor)

paraprofessional adjective

Medical Definition

paraprofessional

noun

para·​pro·​fes·​sion·​al -prə-ˈfesh-nəl, -ən-ᵊl 

: a trained aide who assists a professional person (as a doctor)

paraprofessional adjective