Paraeducator Certification

Grant Wood AEA offers many opportunities for paraeducator professional development including workshops and courses leading to Paraeducator certification and certification renewal as approved by the Iowa Dept. of Education. "Paraeducator" is the title used for a variety of different roles including teacher associate, teaching assistant, classroom aide, instructional aide, job coach, media associate, health aide and paraprofessional.

Paraeducators are essential members of the education team serving Iowa’s children and youth.  The Iowa Guide to Effective Paraeducator Practices – Edition II defines a paraeducator as “an employee who works under the supervision of teachers or other licensed personnel. The ultimate responsibility for the design and implementation of education and related service programs belongs to the supervising teacher or other licensed personnel.  The paraeducator is one whose position is either instructional in nature or who delivers other direct or indirect services to children, youth and/or their parents.”

Paraeducator Certification Program

Iowa’s voluntary certification program for paraeducators is based on competencies that reflect the skills necessary for multiple para assignments. Level I Generalist PK – 12 Paraeducator Certification requires 90 contact hours as defined by Iowa Code. Grant Wood AEA offers three 30-hour classes leading to Level I certification. Courses in Professional Strategies, Instructional Strategies and Behavioral Strategies are offered on a rotating basis in the fall, spring and summer semesters. Courses are scheduled on a typical semester schedule and may be taken in any order.

To obtain the PK -12 Paraeducator Generalist Certificate participants must demonstrate that they have met all of the required competencies as part of the specified coursework.  Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or graduate equivalent diploma and complete the required background checks.

Paraeducator Certification Renewal

Paraeducator Certificates must be renewed every five years. Recertification course work can be completed anytime during the five year certification period (from the issue to the expiration date of the certificate). To renew, a para must submit to the Board of Educational Examiners an application, the renewal fee, documentation of completion of Child and Dependent Adult Abuse training and verification of successful completion of coursework totaling three units (each unit equaling 15 contact hours) in any combination listed below. Activities that meet the renewal credit criteria may include:

1. Paraeducator approved courses offered by Grant Wood AEA's Professional Development Program.

2. An additional paraeducator area of concentration offered by Kirkwood Community College.

3. Participation in the Advanced Certification resulting in an Associate of Arts degree offered by Kirkwood Community College.

4. Participation in local district/building job embedded, collective Professional Development activities that support the district/building career development plan and are offered for recertification credit.

5. One unit may be earned for each semester hour of college credit.

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Grant Wood AEA Paraeducator Certification Classes