PARA

Providing Academic Resources for Advancement

Developed in Collaboration withAppalachian State University

and Wilkes Community College

Announcements and RulesEverything here is confidential. We will be discussing personal characteristics. We need to feel safe in being honest about ourselves and others.

If you feel that you will need food before the class ends, you are welcome to bring dinner or snacks. It is important for us to leave the room clean and orderly when we leave. We will need to wipe tables, throw away our trash, and put the chairs and tables back in place.

You are expected to attend class unless there is a dire emergency. This is a discussion and sharing class and if you are not here, your colleagues will not get the benefit of your comments and you will miss theirs. It is the policy of WCC that each person must attend at least 80% of the classes to successfully complete this class.

You will complete a journal entry each class period. These entries are for you. They are to help you remember

--what we have talked about, --what we have discussed that you have

previous experience or knowledge of,--questions you may want to think about or

bring up in class

Please feel free to get up and stand, walk, or stretch whenever you need to. If you need a break before we take one (about 7:00), please take the break!

Working conditions

Paraeducators in the Schools

Do you sometimes feel as if your working conditions are not the best available?

Paraeducator lounge

Is There a Hierarchy in Your Classroom and School?

Approaches to Working Together.

PYRAMID: centralized control at a managerial level; Responsibilities delegated by the manager

PARTICIPITORY: teacher and paraeducator contribute in decision making

SITUATIONAL: responsibilities may be delegated so that team members assume management for tasks depending on their skills, interests, and abilities

Is Everything Always Organized?

Yeah, right. Teaching is not easy!!!!!!!Working in the same room with a colleague is not easy!!!!!Which person is more organized and what will be easier to handle?

Working with others

Several working styles are evident in many schools and other jobs. There are many of these lists and none are exhaustive or exclusive

The Warrior

Typical characteristicsHas high expectation for self and othersAppears ambitious and independentAvoids showing emotionThrives on control and powerConsiders options when making decisions

How to work with a “warrior.”

The cheerleader

Enjoys peopleLoves enthusiasmMoves constantlyUsed open body language and talks with peopleEnjoys a flexible work environment

How do we work with a cheerleader?

The Lamb

Believes in always being nice to peopleAvoids conflict at all costs to avoid stressListens effectivelyNot a risk takerGoes along with othersPrefers implementing to planning

How can we work with a lamb?

The Human Computer

Appears clean and technicalPrefers planning to implementingExpresses oneself with little emotionOrganizes work systematicallyMay avoid eye contactHow can we work with a human

computer?

Working Relationships

Stand up and find someone who does not work in your schoolTake two minutes and describe the best teacher you ever worked withYour partner will take two minutes and describe the best teacher she ever worked with

Working Relationships

Stand up and find someone who does not work in your schoolTake two minutes and describe the worst teacher you ever worked withYour partner will take two minutes and describe the worst teacher she ever worked with

Qualities of a Good Working Relationship With Teachers, Parents and Colleagues

Duties assigned

To improve instruction and services to children and youth Playground dutyLunchroom dutyDriving a busCleaning up after studentsCleaning up after teacher

Evolving Roles of Paraeducators

Grade tests on classroom work

File formal tests in the office

Monitor tests

Administer and interpret results of informal tests

Fill out checklists

Discuss results with teachers

Evolving Roles of Paraeducators

Observe teachers instruct students

Deliver instruction with teachers

Monitor students work

Plan activities with teachers

Assess the effects of instruction

Guide practice of skills

Evolving Roles of Paraeducators

Not involved in IEP meetings

Not involved in carrying out instruction related to IEP goals

May prepare materials for student instruction

May attend meetings

May give input to teachers for meetings

Implement IEP goals in instruction under supervision

Makes suggestions about changes in materials and approaches

Who can help?

Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

Be proactive not reactiveBegin with the end in mindPut first things first; Develop habits of personal managementThink win/win!Seek first to understand and then to be understoodSynergizeSharpen the saw

Journal Writing

what we have talked about,

what we have discussed that you have previous experience or knowledge of,

questions you may want to think about or bring up in class