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NW - Paraeducator Certification Course 1: Foundations
Hybrid June 8 2026




This is the first of three courses required for the Iowa Pareducator Generalist Certification. It is recommended that the courses be taken in sequential order.

Course 1: Foundations covers the foundational and professional skills needed to work in today’s classrooms. Knowledge about educational environments, student abilities and disabilities, communication, positive interaction and problem-solving are critical to being an effective paraeducator.

Each of the paraeducator generalist courses requires 30 hours to complete. Three of the hours will be in a face-to-face session. The remainder of the course will be completed online. An estimated 6 hours per week will be spent to complete the course in 5 weeks. Participants will need to have access to the internet to be able to complete the course.


Important Session Information:


Through a variety of activities, applicants shall explore and demonstrate the following list of competencies. (Detailed Lessons and Assessments for this course located at the end of the document.)

 

Foundations.Under the supervision of a licensed education professional, the paraeducator will:

(1)      Recognize the different developmental stages of students.

(2)      Believe every student can learn.

(3)      Recognize that each learner has unique learning needs that may require accommodations.

(4)      Demonstrate knowledge of the common core, including competence in reading, writing, and math.

(5)      Function in a manner that demonstrates a positive regard for the distinction between roles and responsibilities of paraeducators and other professionals, including respecting the teacher as supervisor and seeing the teacher as ultimately responsible for the education and behavior of the students.

Ethical and professional practiceUnder the supervision of a licensed education professional, the paraeducator will:

       (1) Follow ethical practices for confidential information.

       (8) Be aware of personal biases and beliefs and refrain from discriminatory practices based on a student’s disability, race, creed, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status, or national origin.

Session Notes:


Registration ends at 11:59 PM on Friday, June 5, 2026

Session ID:
56154
Seats:
2 / 50
Instructors:
Amy Benson
Penni Kistner
Session Fees:
Credit Type & Fee 
Date Time Location
6/8/2026 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM Zoom/Canvas - Zoom/Canvas
5800 Discovery Blvd, Sioux City, 51111
5800 Discovery Blvd., Sioux City IA 51111 | Phone 712-222-6083 | pkistner@nwaea.org
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