Special Education Paraprofessional Internships
Special education paraprofessional internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on classroom and support experience, mentorship from working paraprofessionals, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated in {{top_industries_phrase}}, with Hays USD 489 among the employers posting roles now.
Find InternshipsOverview
Showing 5 of 5+ Special Education Paraprofessional Internships
Looking for more special education paraprofessional internships jobs?
Explore related role searches to find more openings that fit.
See related jobsJob Posting ID: 579
Location(s): Roosevelt Elementary School
Employment Type: Part Time
Posted Date: 06/22/2026
Deadline: Until Filled
POSITION INFORMATION
JOB DESCRIPTION
- Under the direct supervision of a certified staff member, to assist certified professional staff with students in the classroom to meet instructional goals and objectives.
Essential Job Functions
- Assists and guides students to reinforce reading, language arts, mathematics, and other skills.
- Works with students individually and in small groups to reinforce basic learning and implement assigned programs.
- Assists professional staff in the administration and correction of classroom exercises, tests and assessments.
- Assists in classroom preparations and strategies for reinforcing instructional materials and skills according to individual student needs.
- Assists with record-keeping procedures to document student learning and performance.
- Assists with classroom behavioral management to minimize disruptions, ensure a safe and orderly classroom, and ensure students are on task.
- Accompanies students on field trips for the purpose of assisting with supervision.
- Constructs, copies and distributes and use educational materials as needed.
- Assists students with special needs in all aspects of classroom instruction to maximize inclusion, learning, achievement of IEP objectives, etc.
- Assist students with disabilities with activities of daily living for the purpose of maximizing their ability to participate in school or learning activities.
- Follows all applicable safety rules, procedures and regulations governing the proper manner of assistance for all students, including those with disabilities or other special needs.
Additional Duties:
- Perform any other related duties as assigned.
Equipment
- Use standard office equipment, such as personal computers and copiers.
Travel Requirements
- Travel between schools, or between schools and central offices, may be required for certain positions.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form.
- Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide, and perform arithmetic operations as needed to assist students.
- Ability to understand, apply and use personal computers and software applications (e.g., Word, Excel).
- Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of information regarding students, employees and others.
- Ability to establish a supportive and compassionate relationship with students with special needs.
- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff and others contacted in the course of work.
- Ability to report work orally or in writing to supervisor as required.
- Effective writing and verbal communication skills.
Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards
- Works in standard office and school building environments.
- Ability to work outdoors during outdoor student activities.
Qualifications Profile
- Any combination of education and experience providing the required skill and knowledge for successful performance would be qualifying. Typical qualifications would be equivalent to:
- High School diploma or equivalent.
- Prior experience working with special needs children desirable.
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
ABOUT USD 489
DISCLAIMER STATEMENT
DISTRICT BENEFITS
Special Education Paraprofessional Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Tips for Your Special Education Paraprofessional Internship Search
Apply earlier than the academic calendar suggests
Large school districts and education organizations open summer intern applications the preceding fall, often in September or October. Smaller programs and co-ops post closer to start dates. Check listings regularly through the year so you catch roles as they open rather than after cohorts fill.
Build a portfolio before your first application
Hiring teams for special education paraprofessional internships expect limited work history, so give them something specific to review. Document practicum placements, classroom observation logs, behavior support plans, or coursework projects with the frameworks and tools you used. A clear portfolio of two or three pieces outweighs a long list of unverified claims.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus education department fairs surface structured district and agency programs tied to your university, and professors or your career center often know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Apply directly to smaller programs running their own cohorts in parallel so you are not limited to what comes through campus channels.
Practice the intern screen before you submit applications
Special education paraprofessional intern interviews typically include scenario-based questions about behavior management, communication with families, and supporting students with specific needs. Practice answering out loud using real examples from coursework or observations, explaining your reasoning as you go, since interviewers weigh how you think through a situation as much as the answer itself.
Special Education Paraprofessional Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a special education paraprofessional internship?
Lead with relevant coursework and documented classroom or support projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. A portfolio showing observation logs, behavior support plans, or practicum reflections gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Pair direct applications with campus career fairs, where education department recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a special education paraprofessional internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What actually drives it is consistent performance on real student support tasks, available headcount in the district or program, and how early you signal your interest in returning. Treat the internship as an extended interview without counting on a specific outcome.
When should I apply for special education paraprofessional internships?
Earlier than most expect. Large school districts and education organizations recruit for summer placements the preceding fall, sometimes as early as September or October. Smaller programs and co-op placements post closer to their start dates. Because openings appear year-round, checking listings regularly rather than waiting for a single season gives you the widest shot at available roles.
Are special education paraprofessional internships paid?
Most professional special education paraprofessional internships in the U.S. are paid, though compensation varies by employer size, organization type, and location. School district placements and nonprofit programs may offer stipends rather than hourly wages, while larger education companies and healthcare-adjacent programs tend to pay more competitively. Listings show compensation where the employer discloses it.
What should a special education paraprofessional internship resume include?
Lead with projects over work history: two or three documented experiences showing the tools and approaches you used, such as behavior intervention plans, data collection logs, or practicum case notes, with links or descriptions of the work where possible. Add relevant coursework in special education, child development, or applied behavior analysis. Keep the resume to one page.
Can international students get special education paraprofessional internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
See All 5 Special Education Paraprofessional Internship Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Internships