nrcp_s3vmb2 The title of this short article and accompanying video is Autistic 10-year-old writes a series of books. The article mentions:
Four months ago, Nick asked a para-educator for help on writing a book about dinosaurs.
In anticipation of a big front page announcement next week, we would like to announce a new resource to all of our blog readers. We have been working on this for awhile and some of you received a sneak peek at the conference. It is finally ready for some visitors (and your feedback). Without further … Read more
Wendy Berg of McPherson, Kansas has been a paraeducator for 21 years and recently received the Exceptional Opportunity of the Year Award from the Kansas Council for Exceptional Children. From the article:
The conference registration deadline has been extended to this Saturday the 28th. Stop by and and register today! Affordable airfare still available, check out www.kayak.com or www.sidestep.com to find a flight. Hotel rooms are also still available at the Double Tree Hotel.
From Tish Olshefski at AFT: The AFT recently surveyed paraprofessionals on the issue of assignments post-NCLB. We specifically tried to determine if paraprofessionals are ever assigned to work without being under the direction of a teacher as outlined in NCLB. A secondary issue is whether paraprofessionals are assigned to work as substitutes. This is a … Read more
From the island of Kauai, Hawaii comes a story about the important role that paraeducators play in the classroom: I help regular education teachers modify student work,” Kaneshiro said. When she is in the classroom, Kaneshiro can see a lot more of what is going on than the teacher who is busy instructing the class. … Read more
A story of the recipient of the Outstanding Paraeducator Award in Marshaltown, Iowa: After taking a moment to compose herself, Crouse did her best to put into words why she comes to school every day and does what she does. “I love kids. It’s as simple as that,” she said. “I love them and I’ve … Read more
Townsend, MA- A second-grade teacher states, “There should be more of them. And they should be paid more” as she pickets along with 15 paraprofessionals to send a message that they deserve more.
The teacher goes on:
From preparing worksheets to showing the children how to tie their shoes, teaching assistants do all sorts of tedious yet important tasks that she doesn’t have the time to do herself. As the class sizes increase, these assistants, or so-called paraprofessionals, play growingly critical roles in classrooms, she said.
Dick, who is a special education teacher and parent of two boys with developmental disabilities writes about the need for special education teachers to provide effective feedback:
I have yet to meet a teacher who had spent time systematically training their paras and giving them regular feedback. If the paras are fortunate, they will get an annual evaluation. By then, it is too late to make any real improvements.
The full schedule for the 26th Annual National Conference on the Training and Employment of Paraprofessionals is now available. There are over 50 sessions with times and locations to help you plan for this year’s conference. Hotel rooms still available!