Paraprofessionals, known as “parapros,” are part of the South community though not seen in a classroom environment. Instead, they’re found in the hallways, monitoring the building for student safety and regulation.

Julie Spellman, a paraprofessional, has been working at South for about 14 years. She stresses that her job is to keep the students safe, but she wants to be seen as someone who does more than that.

“Just kind of being there for them, you know mentor wise, and also as someone to talk to as opposed to [looking] as scary as say a teacher or a dean […] so that makes it sometimes more comfortable for some students to talk with us,” Spellman said.

Mike Kloss, who is in his first year as a parapro at South, agrees with Spellman, that for his job he needs to support students.

“I get to be after school for a couple hours and I get to sit up at the front desk and hang out with a lot of the kids,” Kloss said. “I talk to them and get to know them.”

Sophomore Gabbi Baldo has become close with Kloss although he has only worked here for a short time.

“I call him Mike, and [we’re really close] because I have him during study hall [so we talk],” Baldo said. “He is so nice, he jokes around a lot, and he gives me candy.”

James Wood explains how he feels students view him as a parapro.

“Some see me as a mentor, some see me more as a friend, […] and some see me as someone to come to for information, education wise,” Wood said.

Spellman agrees and explained how she tries to help the students by giving them advice for the future.

“I try to tell them how important these four years are because it’s something you will remember all your life,” Spellman said. “Try and remember that as much as these seem like just four years, that they’re four years that you really should enjoy, and have a lot of fun with because you will remember them all your life.”