paraprofessional

noun

para·​pro·​fes·​sion·​al ˌper-ə--prə-ˈfesh-nəl How to pronounce paraprofessional (audio)
-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 There are staffing shortages at all positions: teachers, paraprofessionals and support staff. Christine Wen, The Conversation, 15 Feb. 2024 The squad is the brainchild of Lorrie Shortridge, a longtime special-education paraprofessional in the district, who was looking for a way for students with special needs to get involved. Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 21 Jan. 2024 As a result, two paraprofessionals and a teacher have been placed on leave while the investigation is ongoing, according to police and New Haven Public Schools. Taylor Hartz, Hartford Courant, 9 Jan. 2024 With fewer college graduates training to be educators, more districts are hiring what many consider underqualified teachers, often relying on long-term substitutes or paraprofessionals. Gabe Cohen, CNN, 11 Sep. 2023 Bonnie Anne Albert, a paraprofessional at the school, caught the incident on camera. Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 31 Oct. 2023 The law includes state funding for $2-an-hour raises to full-time classified school staff, which are non-teaching positions such as bus drivers, custodians and special education paraprofessionals. Neal Earley, Arkansas Online, 30 July 2023 In announcing Russell’s arrest, the district identified him as a paraprofessional who also serves as assistant basketball coach at Bibb County High School. Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al, 19 Sep. 2023 Meanwhile, the couple cared for his parents and raised three daughters, including Annette Sutton, now a 60-year-old paraprofessional for a New Jersey school. Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 17 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'paraprofessional.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paraprofessional was in 1962

Dictionary Entries Near paraprofessional

Cite this Entry

“Paraprofessional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paraprofessional. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

paraprofessional

noun
para·​pro·​fes·​sion·​al ˌpar-ə-prə-ˈfesh-nəl How to pronounce paraprofessional (audio)
-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 How to pronounce paraprofessional (audio)
: a trained aide who assists a professional person (as a doctor)
paraprofessional adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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