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
In East Aurora, overall vacancies — inclusive of vacancies for teachers, paraprofessionals, school counselors, etc. — went up slightly in recent years, from 67 in 2023 to 71 in 2025, according to data from the Illinois State Board of Education.
—
Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
Cuts to another nearly 50 special education paraprofessionals, about two dozen teachers, a dozen instructional aides, social work specialists, speech and language pathologists, program assistants and specialists, and administrators positions were also approved.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 7 May 2025
The program seeks to fill teaching jobs by recruiting local community members into teaching careers, including education paraprofessionals, career changers, and high school and college students.
—Bruno V. Manno, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
These are positions like teachers’ aides, special education paraprofessionals, cafeteria staff, custodians, front office clerks, and after-school group leaders.
—The Sorenson Impact Institute, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paraprofessional
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Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
Cuts to another nearly 50 special education paraprofessionals, about two dozen teachers, a dozen instructional aides, social work specialists, speech and language pathologists, program assistants and specialists, and administrators positions were also approved.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 7 May 2025
The program seeks to fill teaching jobs by recruiting local community members into teaching careers, including education paraprofessionals, career changers, and high school and college students.
—Bruno V. Manno, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
These are positions like teachers’ aides, special education paraprofessionals, cafeteria staff, custodians, front office clerks, and after-school group leaders.
—The Sorenson Impact Institute, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paraprofessional
Cite this Entry
“Paraprofessional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paraprofessional. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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