Step One: Define Roles

Para Professional Training- Nov 28th, 2023

Training Paraprofessionals

When I started teaching, one of the scariest things I was required to do was train other adults. I didn't want to tell others what to do - I hardly knew what I was doing! But throughout my years of teaching, I've learned that one of the most valuable, impactful things we can do as special education teachers is to train our team members. Today, we'll discuss why it's so important and dig into the first step to training paras.

Why Should We Train Paraprofessionals?

As special education teachers, we juggle a ton of responsibilities. From creating lesson plans, tailoring the lessons to meet all the needs in our room, building support plans, collaborating with colleagues, and don't forget the paperwork! It can be overwhelming. In order to do all of these things, we need help. That's where our paraprofessionals come in. These amazing and invaluable team members work so hard to support our students every day. But we can't just wing it. Proper training is crucial to ensure classrooms run smoothly. Without a solid structure, things can easily spiral into chaos. We need to give our paraprofessionals the tools they need to help our students thrive.

How Can We Train Paraprofessionals?

We will spend the weeks leading up to winter break discussing how to train paraprofessionals using four key steps: first, nailing down their roles; second, fostering a team spirit; third, mapping out the plan; and lastly, providing training and ongoing support.

Step 1: define roles; step 2: team mindset; step 3: planning; Step 4: training

Step 1: Defining Roles

When it comes to educators and their support staff, it's crucial to define their respective roles. Why? For starters, it helps avoid confusion, promotes teamwork, and gives students the best support possible. Plus, it adheres to ethical and legal standards and helps everyone grow professionally. When everyone knows what they're supposed to do, it creates an environment that maximizes student learning outcomes and sets everyone up for success. Craft clear-cut roles for your team with the worksheet in the Resource section.

zoom_out_map

Teacher's Role

Leader of the classroom team
Create and maintain student-centered, supportive, inclusive environments
Develop and plan learning
Engage students in learning
Assess learner needs
Practice standards of professional and ethical practice
Train paraprofessionals

zoom_out_map

Paraprofessional's Role

Facilitate instruction based on teacher-designed programs
Provide feedback to students
Take data during instruction
Collect data on student behavior
Provide appropriate prompting during daily living skills to increase independence
Provide feedback to teachers

All under the guidance of the teacher

zoom_out_map

Caution

Paraprofessionals should not be given the primary responsibility of the learning process, including assessment, diagnosing learners needs, planning and modifying the curriculum, behavior management, or delivering instruction (Pickett & Safarik).

Resources

open_in_new zoom_out_map

Classroom Roles Worksheet

Want to put these strategies into action? Just remember to customize them to fit with your school and district's paraprofessional guidelines and policies.

Prepping for Holiday Celebrations

zoom_out_map

As the season of holidays, celebrations, and gatherings quickly approach, we eagerly anticipate spending it with loved ones. However, for some students with autism, this time of year can be stressful due to unfamiliar surroundings and routines that differ from their daily lives. As teachers we can help our students feel supported and comfortable during this time. Here are some compassionate tips to help you support your students as we enter the celebratory season:

Address unspoken questions and concerns with care
Prepare students in advance for changes in routine
Create a safe space for students to take breaks if needed
Use visual aids to explain upcoming events and schedules
Work with families to ensure consistent support at home and school

Link to the full article on Preparing for Holiday Celebrations and resources to support students and families.

STAR Media Center

zoom_out_map

Themes First Unit: November's Thankful for Friends

Check out the Thankful for Friends unit in Theme's First! Theme units include original songs, books, and activities that support students’ skill development and generalization with content that’s fun, accessible, and theme-based. These monthly units now include an expanded Social Studies suite, containing fun, theme-related activities that reinforce cultural engagement. Included in all Themes First! units are lessons, activities, and worksheets for group and independent work at a wide range of levels.

Active Theme Units

zoom_out_map

December: Let's Go Shopping

zoom_out_map

October: Fall in the Forest

zoom_out_map

September : Dinosaur Land

Updated Demo

Sign Up for your FREE STAR Media Center Account!

Upcoming Professional Development

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Evidence-Based Practices and Collaboration Across School and Early Intervention Providers

Date/Time: November 29, 2023 from 3-4 PM

Where: Virtual

Cost: Free

Presenters: Nicole Berning, Department of Human Services (DHS) M.S., BCBA; and Erin Farrell (MDE) Ed.D., BCBA

Collaboration and care coordination are essential elements to ensure the best possible long-term outcomes for our students. This presentation will outline key strategies and resources to help school and provider teams work together side by side. We will review resources to coordinate early intervention services with services in an educational setting, create person-centered goals and facilitate collaboration across multidisciplinary teams. We will highlight the evidence-based practices for learners with ASD in the classroom and how this collaboration helps to support the use of evidence-based practices across school and home environments.

Register Here

zoom_out_map

ASD Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) Webinar #2: Using Video Modeling to Increase Student Engagement

Date/Time: December 5th, 2023 from 3:00-4:30

Where: Virtual

Cost: Free

Join us for the second ASD EBP Webinar (formally known as STAR Webinars) of the 2023-2024 school year! During this webinar, Michele Glynn, ASD Specialist, will discuss using simple video modeling, modeling, and peer modeling to practice and promote positive behaviors that support student engagement and learning.

Register Here

Contact Information

Feel free to contact me for any questions or concerns via email or phone. I'm also available to chat via Zoom Mondays from 7:30-8:00 AM and 3:00-3:30 PM. If these times do not work for your schedule, please email me and we will find a time that will work for both of us.