Cedar Rapids Community School District welcomes you to apply to be a paraeducator! In this position, you will help teachers and students in the classroom. The position also comes with great benefits with this position, including:
- Starting pay: $15.00/hour
- Full benefits if working more than 30 hours per week
- IPERS-eligible
- 14 paid holidays
- Summers off
- A work-life balance with weekends off
- Become a teacher through eligible educational reimbursement from the University of Dubuque LIFE program
Learn more from current paraeducators
Meet Angela Sturtz—Elementary Paraeducator
You could say I fell into the para job. My son was identified early on with some learning disabilities, so at the age of 3, we enrolled him into the Cedar Rapids School District—I agreed to this only if I could volunteer in his classroom. I enjoyed it so much, I was volunteering three to four times a week when finally the teacher said I should go down and apply for a para position. I did, and 20-plus years later I’m still here.
The true joy is when you see a student understand what it is you are teaching them. What I learned from the teachers I’ve worked with and the training that goes along with being a para has been priceless. The best part is when a student gives you a hug or tells you “I like that you’re my teacher!” Sometimes I feel I learn as much from them as they do from me. This was not the career path I intended; I fell into it and feel very lucky that it found me.
Check out more from Angela
Meet Anitha Kamalumpundi—Middle School Paraeducator
This is my 16th year as a paraeducator. I started volunteering when my younger son started school. I realized my passion to work with kids. There is growth in all students throughout the year. It gives me great joy to be beside them when they experience the high points at school and to be there for them when things are not going so well.
When I’m spending one on one time with my students, I get to know them not only to work on academics, I get to know them more on a personal level. You will never get bored at work. That’s the best part. As a paraeducator, you will never get bored. Every day is a different day.
Check out more from Anitha
Meet Nick Niemeyer—High School Paraeducator
I chose to be a paraeducator with CRCSD because while attending college I started coaching girls basketball and softball here at Jefferson. When I graduated I wanted to continue my coaching career and wanted to work for a great organization.
The most rewarding part of my job is working with kids. Helping them reach their full potential and helping them succeed in things they didn’t know they could succeed in.
My day here at Jefferson starts at 7:30 a.m. Once the school day starts at 7:50, I spend it working with students in either an individual or a group setting. I help the teacher of the classroom with various projects, like making copies, grading assignments, and anything else the teacher needs done. I help supervise students during lunch time and help where I’m needed. My day ends at 3:00 p.m.
Check out more from Nick