Welcome!!
I, too, was a paraprofessional for grades 3-6. The system had budget cuts and had to get rid of all the non-tenured employees. Unfortunately, that included me (I was on my tenured year). I was a substitute for 5 years before that, and I lack a year and a half to get a degree in early childhood education. Right now I am substituting again, but I hope something more permanent (and with benefits) comes open soon.