Paraprofessionals and School-Related Personnel (PSRP) Community

Join the PSRP Community for free resources, support, and strategies tailored to paraprofessionals and school-related personnel.

About this Community

Paraprofessionals and school-related personnel keep schools running: driving the buses, staffing the front office, serving lunches, supporting students in special education classrooms, and stepping in wherever they're needed. This community is built for all of you.

The PSRP Community on Share My Lesson connects paraprofessionals, bus drivers, custodial and maintenance workers, cafeteria staff, classroom and recess aides, front office personnel, and every other school-related role in one online space. Trade ideas, ask questions, and pull from a free library of tip sheets, guides, lessons, and professional development built around the work you actually do.

Inside the community you'll find resources on:

Supporting English language learners (ELLs)
Working in special education classrooms
Behavior support and classroom management
Student safety and mental health
Social-emotional learning
Digital literacy
Partnering with families and caregivers
Caring for medically fragile students
Responding to trauma and grief

New here? Click the orange Join button, then head to the discussion board and introduce yourself. From there, dig into the resource library and start building the kind of positive, inclusive learning environments that help both you and your students thrive.

Frequently Asked Questions About the PSRP Community

Who can join the PSRP Community on Share My Lesson? The community is open to all paraprofessionals and school-related personnel, including bus drivers, custodial and maintenance staff, cafeteria workers, classroom aides, recess aides, and front office personnel. Membership is free, and you can join by clicking the Join button on the community page. You do not need to be an AFT member to participate.

What kind of resources are available for paraprofessionals? Members get free tip sheets, guides, lessons, and professional development covering topics like supporting English language learners, special education, behavior and classroom management, student mental health, and social-emotional learning. Resources are created for the specific roles PSRPs hold rather than repurposed from general teacher materials. New content is added regularly.

Is Share My Lesson free for school support staff? Yes. Share My Lesson is created and maintained by the American Federation of Teachers, and every resource in the PSRP Community is free to access. There is no cost to join the community, download materials, or participate in discussions.

How can paraprofessionals earn professional development credit? Share My Lesson offers free professional development, including webinars and courses that provide certificates of completion. Paraprofessionals can use these certificates toward PD or continuing education requirements, depending on what their district or state accepts. Check the Professional Development section for current offerings.

What support is available for aides working in special education? The community includes resources on supporting students with disabilities, managing behavior, caring for medically fragile students, and responding to trauma and grief. These materials are written to help classroom and one-on-one aides feel more confident in special education settings. You can also ask questions and share strategies with other PSRPs on the discussion board.

How do I connect with other paraprofessionals and school staff? Join the community, then visit the discussion board to introduce yourself and start conversations with PSRPs across the country. The discussion space is where members trade strategies, ask for advice, and share resources that have worked in their own schools.