Shell-shocked. That is how I felt after a long-term substitute teaching assignment in Idaho Falls more than 20 years ago. I taught sixth grade, which was an experience that a few colleagues called “The Crucible.” It was a firsthand experience of the many challenges that Idaho teachers deal with annually. Working as an educator for more than 30 years has allowed me to witness the significant impact upon students’ achievement and self-esteem that a caring, attentive adult who truly knows a child can make. Having worked with numerous paraprofessionals, it is hard to overstate the qualities they bring to their roles.