Week 12
Posted on April 12, 2008
This has been an interested week for me. I have always been perplexed by the concept of paraeducators (mainly the number of them). I would always think to myself, including when I was a para, "why are the non-teachers providing all of the instruction for the students?" It was different because I had my masters as a para, but there are lots of paras with a high school diploma providing instruction to the students who learn in such different and intricate ways.
A big goal for myself is to work very strongly with paraeducators next year. Finishing up year two now, I am getting a firm hold on the 'ropes'. They say after year 3 it gets easier, is that true everybody? I feel very confident already in planning for my 3rd year. I know exactly the areas I want to work on and where I want to grow; paraprofessionals is one of those areas. The best practices and questions to keep in mind are great as a form a philosophy around working with paraeducators.
Comments
Cortney,
I also have been a para, twice. I became a para to see if I wanted to be a special educator. The second year as a para I began the grad program at UVM. Fast forward 18 years or so, I became a para (for 1 year) again to help me decide if I wanted to return to teaching. My husband had just died and I had two teen aged children. I have been teaching for the past 6 years and I find if helpful to have been a para myself. I value each para and the strengths they bring to the team. I have learned lots from them too. The articles will help to improve my practices with the paras, and to begin the conversation about the use of paras.
Posted by: Nancy at April 14, 2008 5:12 PM
I hear hope and change in your blog. Everyone always wants things to get better, change is good. Keep the hope. Sara
Posted by: Sara Airoldi at April 15, 2008 11:08 PM