Teacher-Paraeducator Classroom Relationships: A Scoping Review

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Teacher-Paraeducator Classroom Relationships: A Scoping Review
Language: English
Authors: Melissa Stoffers (ORCID 0000-0003-4891-3231), Tia Navelene Barnes (ORCID 0000-0001-7706-0181), Rosa Mykyta-Chomsky (ORCID 0009-0008-5045-8673), Miranda Wood (ORCID 0000-0002-3973-3549), Melissa C. Funaro (ORCID 0000-0001-6846-4846), Lauren M. Strickland (ORCID 0009-0008-1145-5090), Christina Cipriano (ORCID 0000-0002-7414-1821)
Source: Psychology in the Schools. 2026 63(2):407-422.
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 16
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Information Analyses
Education Level: Elementary Education
Descriptors: Teacher Aides, Special Education Teachers, Collegiality, Well Being, Elementary School Teachers, Inclusion, Special Education, Educational Research, Interaction, Interprofessional Relationship
DOI: 10.1002/pits.70098
ISSN: 0033-3085
1520-6807
Abstract: The special education workforce faces an ongoing shortage and high turnover rates, negatively impacting students and classrooms. Positive collegial relationships between teachers and paraeducators can reduce educator burnout and improve job satisfaction, potentially leading to reduced turnover. This scoping review identifies areas of knowledge and gaps in the literature pertaining to teacher-paraeducator relationships, which may be used to inform future interventions intended to enhance collegial relationships and educator well-being. Our scoping review identified 72 articles for our analyses. Most articles focused on how staff delegated responsibilities and established role clarity between teachers and paraeducators. Most articles were descriptive or used qualitative or mixed methods and examined teacher-paraeducator relationships in the context of primary school (Grades K-5) within inclusion/general education classrooms. From these findings, we present a call for more studies within the field that use experimental methods and that examine the relationship between teacher-paraeducator relationships and student outcomes.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1493947
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:The special education workforce faces an ongoing shortage and high turnover rates, negatively impacting students and classrooms. Positive collegial relationships between teachers and paraeducators can reduce educator burnout and improve job satisfaction, potentially leading to reduced turnover. This scoping review identifies areas of knowledge and gaps in the literature pertaining to teacher-paraeducator relationships, which may be used to inform future interventions intended to enhance collegial relationships and educator well-being. Our scoping review identified 72 articles for our analyses. Most articles focused on how staff delegated responsibilities and established role clarity between teachers and paraeducators. Most articles were descriptive or used qualitative or mixed methods and examined teacher-paraeducator relationships in the context of primary school (Grades K-5) within inclusion/general education classrooms. From these findings, we present a call for more studies within the field that use experimental methods and that examine the relationship between teacher-paraeducator relationships and student outcomes.
ISSN:0033-3085
1520-6807
DOI:10.1002/pits.70098