IN my class, at my school, my instructional aide is required to help teach social skills and give and take awasy points. It is apart of the boystown social skills program, where everyone is involved in the the teaching of social skills where the kids gain and lose points. Also if I need him to work with a kid I an give him work to go over with the students. I would think these are all the same things that can be done in any school but these are some of the job desrciptions of the Instructional aide. They assist with the instruction int he classroom. Maybe it’s to sound better and in some peoples case it actually makes them feel better. I have actually seen some get mad if you didnt use the entire name…weird

I think these are one in the same. I’ve worked in a couple of different school systems. In one I was called a paraeducator or paraprofessional and in my current job I am an instructional aide. I don’t teach, even though I am a licensed teacher who can’t get a job, but I work with kids one-on-one or in small groups.

I have a para in my class, who is not supposed to grade papers or teach lessons. She makes copies and helps me stay organized.

I suppose an instructional para would help with small groups or one-on-one activities.