Does Para Experience Help/Hurt?

[flutetoot]

I am certified in middle school language arts and music PreK-12. I have also been seraching for a "real" teaching job for 3 years now. I have subbed, tutored, and am currently working *very* part time as a para for PreK (10 hours a week).

I have an interview on Thursday for a f/t para job working with a 6th grader who is wheelchair bound and has limited abilities physically and mentally. He is new to the school.

My dilemma is this - if offered the job should I take it? It only pays $10.hour and is for 32 hours a week. Because it is middle school (my specialty), the school day starts one hour before my own children's school day starts (I live about 25 min. from the middle school). Therefore, I would have to put my 3 children in before-school care (which is about $110/week for the 3 of them, plus I have to pay for extended Kindergarten for my daughter, which is $85/week. ). So my costs so far for the job would be at least $195/week (I would make about $320/week gross).

There is no guarantee that I would ever get a real teaching job at the school (but I sure would like one!). Does being a para help your chances or hurt them? I'm just trying to figure out if it is worth me taking the job (if it is offered)

Thanks for your thoughts!

[darlibby]

I don't see how being a para could hurt your chances of getting a teaching job, unless you get a bad reference from the school. If it's financially feasible for you, I would do it.

[clarnet73]

I agree... if it's financially feasible, I'd say go for it... you get a lot of expereince as a para that you can't recreate as a sub or a volunteer... it means you're a "known quantity" in the building and in the district, and doing a good job means they'll already KNOW you're good when they're looking to hire new people. Is it a guarantee? Nothing is... but it can't hurt.

Plus knowing you're in the same place every day allows you to build relationships nad get involved with the age group you're interested in working with anyway

[smalltowngal]

I'm a para right now in a middle school supporting sped students in science and social studies. During my interview, the principal specifically told me he hires his aides for full time teaching positions.

[Special-t]

It's also a good way to get letters of recommendation from a few educators. They are very valuable and hard to come by as a sub unless you find a long-term position.

[flutetoot]

Thanks for all the advice re: the para job. Unfortunately, I did not get it. The P called me today to say "We were very impressed with your qualifications. You obviously have more than enough experience, and are more than qualified. However, we decided to offer the position to someone who we knew and have experience with."

And now, from the "Nepotism Files": A friend of mine who works in that school tells me that they hired a girl who is related to someone on the Board of Education.

So I guess the P was telling the truth, and I appreciate the honesty for once.