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The The ParaprofessionalParaprofessional

In The Classroom:In The Classroom:

The The ParaprofessionalParaprofessional

In The Classroom:In The Classroom:A Partner in the A Partner in the

Achievement of All StudentsAchievement of All Students

The Paraprofessional in the Classroom

CFN 204Carol-Ann Cesark

Karen TedescoAdministrator of Special Education

& Instruction

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Fair is Fair is notnot when when everyone gets the everyone gets the

same…..same…..

Fair is Fair is notnot when when everyone gets the everyone gets the

same…..same…..……..Fair Fair isis when everyone when everyone gets what they need gets what they need

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Purpose: To Provide Paraprofessionals With

Knowledge Of:

• The mandate for the provision of quality education and support for all students

• Ways to work with teachers to form partnerships that will benefit all students in the classroom

• Necessary skills to perform paraprofessional duties and responsibilities with distinction

• Classroom management approaches

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IDEA

IDEA is the current authorization of a 30 year

old law that provides services for students with

disabilities

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IDEAIn 1975 the first version of the Individuals with

Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was signed into law

Some Principles of IDEA are:

• Assuring all students with disabilities have access to the general education curriculum

• Recognizing that special education is a service, not a place

• The IEP teams will first consider providing each student services in the general education classroom, with supplementary aids, support services, and related services appropriate to that student’s needs

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Educational Disabilities

• Autism• Deaf-Blindness• Deafness• Emotional

Disturbance• Hearing Impairment• Learning Disability• Mental Retardation

• Multiple Disabilities• Orthopedic Impairment• Other Health

Impairments• Speech or Language

Impairment• Traumatic Brain Injury• Visual Impairment

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The Importance of the IEP

The Individualized Education Program holds a wealth of information

Chapter 408 – Review IEP with Teacher & Sign

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Classroom Classroom Management and Management and

Instructional SupportInstructional Support

Classroom Classroom Management and Management and

Instructional SupportInstructional Support

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Purpose of Instruction

• Cognition• Communication• Physical Activity• Social Interaction• Emotional Awareness

To improve the ability of all students in the areas

of:

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The Classroom Is…

• First and foremost, a safe place

• A child centered environment where there is a sensitivity to beliefs, traditions, and values across cultures

• Where relationships between children, families, and school are nurtured

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Out of Classroom Personnel

Ensure that you are aware of the roles and responsibilities of all school members that affect your students

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Student Needs

• Your students’ needs

• The effects of exceptional conditions on a student’s life, family, school and community

• The effects of exceptional conditions on learning and achievement

Be aware of…

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Assisting in Instruction

• The classroom teacher is responsible for introducing new material

• The teacher is responsible for presentation of the lesson

• The paraprofessional assists the teacher and supports the students by explaining and reinforcing the lesson

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The individual talent, strength and personality of

the paraprofessional can improve the quality of a

lesson in many ways

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Establishing Rapport

• Paraprofessionals have an opportunity to establish a unique rapport with students

• This rapport can be a strong motivator to learn

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Learning Styles

• Different Ways To Learn

• IEP Information

• Discussion With Teacher

• Your Experience With Students

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Adapting Material

• Learning Styles and IEP information may require changes to material to suit a student’s needs

• Under the direction of a teacher, the paraprofessional can assist in this area

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Differentiated Instruction

• Under the direction of the teacher, you may develop, organize and distribute materials that support teaching and learning

• The practice of pre-planning to suit the different needs of students in the classroom is called Differentiated Instruction

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Student Behavior

• Awareness of Causes• School Plans• Knowledge of Strategies• Support Positive Behavior• Collect Data

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Collaboration

• Exceptional instruction is really modeling of a task

• There is no better model for students than seeing adults collaborate in order to achieve a goal

• Collaboration is a form of communication

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COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATION

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Each of us has our own style of communicating and interacting with others. We convey our ideas and attitudes verbally and non-verbally.

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Communication

• Sensitive and Respectful

• Roles and Responsibilities

• Terminology

• Meetings

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How Messages are Conveyed

It's not just what you say…it's how you say it!

Body Language

50%

Words10%

Tone of Voice40%

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Communicating Effectively

• Provide teacher with feedback regarding student performance and personal information which may need to be passed on to parents

• Provide input during IEP planning phase as a member of the educational team

• Communicate with the teacher to clarify duties, to understand student needs, and to support the teacher with regard to discipline and class rules

• Be aware of the expectations, philosophy and teaching styles of each teacher in order to support and compliment the teacher for the benefit of all students

• Respect confidentiality

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Confidentiality

• Sensitivity

• Respect

• Ethics

• Law

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Active Listening Skills

• Be willing to consider new ideas

• Ask the speaker to clarify what he/she is saying if we don’t fully understand him/her

In order for us to listen effectively, we need to:

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Children with disabilities have the same needs, feelings, desires, and dreams as other children