Individuals seeking to become paraprofessionals in Mississippi schools must follow a series of steps outlined by the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA). The process begins with a required background check at the school level. Once cleared, candidates must obtain permission from either the Principal or Athletic Director.
Prospective paraprofessionals are required to complete several courses, including Fundamentals of Coaching and Safety/First Aid—both available through nfhslearn.com for $75 and $50 respectively. The Safety/First Aid course must be certified by the American Red Cross. Additional mandatory courses include hands-on CPR training at local schools, Concussion in Sports, Sportsmanship, and Heat Illness; these last three can be completed online for free at nfhslearn.com.
Upon completion of these courses, individuals must print their certificates from the website and send copies to MHSAA as proof of eligibility. Alternatively, if an individual has completed equivalent college-level courses within the past two years, they may submit transcripts and course descriptions for approval instead of taking Fundamentals of Coaching and Safety/First Aid.
After meeting these requirements, school administrators must submit a written notification to MHSAA specifying the individual’s name, sport assignment, and whether they will serve as an assistant or head coach.
All paraprofessional coaches need approval from their local school board and must maintain compliance with Dragonfly.
Paraprofessionals are required to recertify every five years in the Safety/First Aid course; certification must come from an American Red Cross-approved course. Additionally, paraprofessionals cannot serve as head coaches in football, basketball, baseball, or softball at any level.
Cheer paraprofessionals—whether head or assistant—must complete an additional “Cheer and Dance Safety” course costing $85 on nfhslearn.com. This requirement is renewed every four years. Archery paraprofessionals have a separate training mandate provided by the Mississippi Wildlife Department.
For more information or questions about becoming a paraprofessional coach in Mississippi schools, individuals can contact LeAnna Dawson at ldawson@misshsaa.com.
