Happy National Paraprofessionals Day!

Dear Paraprofessionals,

Thanks for all that you do! Without you, the incredible work with school students that gets done each and every day would never be the same. You are a dedicated group of special people. Your work and care for your students shines through. You are often tasked with following through on therapeutic recommendations, supporting students in work and learning activities, managing social interactions during lunch, recess, and special area classes, and assisting students with their self-care skills, communication needs, and more.

A good paraprofessional is caring, receptive to learning, and willing to lend a hand. I have been blessed over the course of my career as an OT to work these amazing people. Make no mistake, a good team of paraprofessionals is worth its weight in gold for any school district. Paraprofessionals support the students directly, but also support the classroom teacher, therapists, and administrators. Paraprofessionals may be assigned to one particular student, or may help in supporting whole groups of students in a classroom. Either way, they are part of the rich fabric of a school district and they deserve to be celebrated in every way!

Thank you for your service, Paraprofessionals!