The Art of the Special Ed Paraprofessional

Note: As I sat down to write this blog post I realized that I had to clarify the misnomer that is my blog title.  Currently, I am not working as a history teacher but as a special education paraprofessional in a high school while completing my Masters program.

Most people in the education world know (or think they know) what a paraprofessional is doing as they travel from class to class either exclusively with one student, or with a cohort of students who need additional assistance at school.  However, in one month of work I have learned a few things I didn't know that could make all the difference in being successful.

The first is that if you're working exclusively with one student as a 1:1 aide, your relationship with that student is essential for the success of that student.  They need to know that you care, that you're confident in their ability to achieve great things, and that they can trust you to help them when they need it.  I would go as far as to say trust is the most important part of being a 1:1.  The moment that the student believes you will do everything in your power to help them be successful, you're on your way to a smooth year.

But there's another piece that is equally important and also follows the principle of trust.  The relationships between the para and the classroom teachers are critical.  The teachers need to know and understand that you are there to help the child succeed within the parameters of the class.  You can provide additional assistance on classwork, help the student with strategies to study for an exam, and most important, keep the student on task and paying attention.  Para's should engage in regular conversation with teachers before or after class or the school day to make sure they're on the same page with the plan for success.  Get a rundown of the game-plan for a lesson so you will know when and where your student might need your help and you can prepare for it in advance.  Teacher's appreciate knowing that you care and that you're assisting the student, not simply doing the work for them.  Also, don't be a distraction in class.  While you're clearly not invisible, and most students aren't given extra help silently, it is best to be discreet and at the same time if you're able to help other students around you, it can't hurt to use the extra adult presence in the classroom to help maintain order and keep all students on task.

My job also gives me the opportunity to work in a classroom as an aide for a large contingent of students who have Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).  Communication between the teacher and para is even more critical in this environment because you're not tied to one student, but really to all of the students in the classroom.  In a high school classroom, you don't often see all of the students with IEPs hanging out in one corner screaming "we're over here and yes we need your assistance."  Instead, one of the great successes of inclusive education is that they're dispersed among their peers.  In this environment, the best tactics that I've observed/used are using almost a co-teaching method.  While your ultimate purpose is to be an additional support to those key students, you're also helping out with anyone who might have a question.  The teacher is up front, leads the lesson, gives instruction and begins to walk around while the students engage in the activity, the para then kicks into action and can help any and all students complete and achieve the daily goals.  Don't single out the students with special needs, they feel enough pressure as it is.

Again, creating a bond with each student so they feel your job is to help them succeed is the best way to achieve success as a paraprofessional.

-MB

P.S. If you're a general education teacher, don't hesitate to ask the para their opinion about differentiating the lesson, or adapting a project to meet the needs on the IEP.  Hopefully they have enough experience either with that specific student or in special ed in general to help create a successful plan.  Engage them to help create a positive atmosphere in the classroom, they'll appreciate it.