Teacher + Paraeducator = Student Success

By Danielle Kovach, 3rd Grade Special Education Teacher & 2014 Council for Exceptional Children Teacher of the Year, Oct 01, 2014

In my third-grade special education classroom, my students often profess their innermost feelings to me―sometimes sweet, sometimes sad, and sometimes downright funny. But nothing prepared me for when Davin, a 9-year-old student with autism, exclaimed to the class paraeducator, “Mrs. Walsh, I love you. Will you marry me?”

Since the beginning of the year, Davin had demonstrated difficulty establishing relationships with others in our room. Sharing his feelings with his paraeducator was a huge accomplishment. It was evidence of the hard work and dedication that Mrs. Walsh showed while working with Davin. His growth demonstrates the collaborative success that teachers and paraeducators can accomplish together.

Paraeducators, also known as paraprofessionals or teacher assistants, are trained professionals who work in the classroom under the supervision of the classroom teacher. They are required to pass state or local certification exams and complete special training. According to the National Education Association, nearly three fourths of all paraeducators provide services to students with disabilities. In such settings, they may work with students one-on-one or in small groups.

Paraeducators represent an important resource to which all special education students and teachers should have access. In 2004, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) highlighted the importance of paraeducators in the classroom. This was one of the first times that paraeducators were acknowledged in federal legislation as part of the team that provides educational services to students with disabilities.

As a special education teacher, I recognize the impact that paraeducators have on my students. They are the eyes and ears of my classroom, and I value our collaborative efforts to provide our students with the best education possible. Communication is key, and teachers and paraeducators should have open and honest conversations about expectations in the classroom. However, support for paraeducators must go beyond the classroom walls. School administrators also should recognize and value paraprofessionals as an integral member of the school team.

Here are some ways to elevate the role of the paraeducator:

  • Create a culture of respect and team unity. Because paraeducators usually are considered classroom “helpers,” their importance often is overlooked. Their job, however, is meaningful and important. Paraeducators are a vital part of the educational team charged with contributing to a child’s instruction and should be valued as such.
     
  • Provide opportunities for paraeducators to serve as an extension of the teacher. Ask, “How can paraeducators contribute their expertise to best meet the needs of every student?” This expertise may include the paraeducator providing reinforcement of a lesson to a small group, working one-on-one with an individual student, or monitoring a student’s behavior throughout the day. Paraeducators should not be limited to grading papers, hanging bulletin boards, or making copies for teachers. A paraeducator’s primary focus should be in the classroom working with students. To emphasize this role, school districts can create detailed job descriptions outlining the specific roles and responsibilities of paraeducators.
     
  • Encourage teachers and school administrators to help paraeducators build relationships with students. Research has shown that children perform better academically when they are in a positive school climate. Children need to know they are loved and cared for unconditionally by all school employees who work with them, not just the teacher. Paraeducators should be allowed opportunities to get to know their students and vice versa. This mutual building of trust and understanding can lead to a greater impact on student achievement.
     
  • Offer paraeducators the ability to grow in their profession through professional development workshops. Paraeducators can offer academic support to students who need additional assistance in the classroom. To help meet the needs of all students, these professionals should be given the opportunity to learn how to best meet the needs of a diverse population of students. Through professional development opportunities provided at the state and local levels, paraeducators can improve their effectiveness in the classroom to help all students reach their maximum potential.

Teachers, paraeducators, and school district leaders share a common goal. They strive to provide all students with a multitude of resources to help them grow in all facets of life: academically, behaviorally, socially, and emotionally. When leaders at state and local levels support this vision, a strong, ever-growing bond between teachers, paraeducators, administrators, and students is formed. This positive environment creates a foundation for student success.

I cannot imagine being effective in the classroom without the support of my paraeducators. We are committed to the success of our students by working together as a team.

Now it’s your turn. We want to hear your thoughts:

  • What can states and districts do to better support paraeducators?
  • In what ways can districts and administrators provide opportunities for paraeducators to serve as extensions of teachers? 

Interested in learning more about how to support paraeducators?  Check out our latest Policy Snapshot, Supercharging Student Success:  Policy Levers for Helping Paraprofessionals Have a Positive Influence in the Classroom

Comments

i think the state needs to allow the paraeducator to be more involved in the background of the students they are working with. it would be helpful for us to know the triggers and the issues facing the student so we could better be prepared for them.

eachers, paraeducators, and school district leaders share a common goal. They strive to provide all students with a multitude of resources to help them grow in all facets of life: academically, behaviorally, socially, and emotionally. When leaders at state and local levels support this vision, a strong, ever-growing bond between teachers, paraeducators, administrators, and students is formed. This positive environment creates a foundation for student success.

One way our district/state/nation can better support me is to give me back the instructional hours I lost due to ObamaCare! This cut of hours hindered my job as an instructional aide because I can only work 4 out of 5 school days. My paycheck and my family budget is suffering, and so are the students that depend on me for instruction.

Sometimes a paraeducator can be used in situations where the students behaviors run rampant when teacher leaves the room very disrespectful and then to the other extreme when the teacher have a group of about 7 to 8 students whose learning level is major low. Should eradicate be the almost exclusive teacher in that case. Lead teacher does her other work then. Out of the room a lot or visitors distract students.

Districts can provide more scheduled time to work directly with students to meet their individual needs. Districts and administrators can provide more training opportunities for the para-educators in the specific skills they are to teach.

I believe teachers are not taught how to be educators to their paraeducators in college or within their district. It is imperative that teachers work hard to have a good relationship with their paras. Everyone benefits.

Value paras and all that they have to offer. They work closer with students than most teachers and they learn so much more about a student in a small group or 1 on 1. Offer professional development for them so they are up to date along with the teachers.

What can states and districts do to better support paraeducators?
States and districts can do various things to better support paraeducators. The first way that they can do this is by providing the paraeducators a fair pay where they can work a full work week and not have to have multiple jobs to make ends meat. The second way that they can help paraeducators is by providing them paid PD opportunities to help them better be prepared to assist the teachers in running RTI centers and/or progress monitoring.

In what ways can districts and administrators provide opportunities for paraeducators to serve as extensions of teachers?
When a PD is offered to teachers, para-educators should also be invited to those trainings. Most of the time the training is offered to only the teacher, but if the teacher and the paraeducator were able to take the training together paraeducators would feel more empowered to provide us their opinion or questions on how to apply that new learning in the classroom.

What can states and districts do to better support paraeducators?
States and districts can do various things to better support paraeducators. The first way that they can do this is by providing the paraeducators a fair pay where they can work a full work week and not have to have multiple jobs to make ends meat. The second way that they can help paraeducators is by providing them paid PD opportunities to help them better be prepared to assist the teachers in running RTI centers and/or progress monitoring.

In what ways can districts and administrators provide opportunities for paraeducators to serve as extensions of teachers?
When a PD is offered to teachers, para-educators should also be invited to those trainings. Most of the time the training is offered to only the teacher, but if the teacher and the paraeducator were able to take the training together paraeducators would feel more empowered to provide us their opinion or questions on how to apply that new learning in the classroom.

What can states and districts do to better support paraeducators?
Provide funding so their can be more paras in the schools. It would be great for every class to have a para.
In what ways can districts and administrators provide opportunities for paraeducators to serve as extensions of teachers?
Include them in trainings with teachers, and provide them more time to collaborate with one another.

I agree with several of the above comments.
1. Paras should get better pay and benefits for the job they do.
2. Paras should be better trained in all aspects of their jobs.
3. Teachers should be better trained in how to effectively use the para support they have.
4. Paras should attend teacher PD's if they are expected to support what the teacher does in class.

Paraeducators could used more training opportunities with an allowance from the district or state due to the low pay. Many paraeducators are coming into the profession with little or no experience working in the classroom and could use that support.

State and districts could support paraeducators by offering them competitive wages and benefits as many, if not all, end up bring home less than minimum wage.

One way that would help paras in my building is if they were given time to meet with teachers they work in classrooms with. I have to catch my para up when they come to my classroom which isn't always possible as they come in during instruction and leave before the end of class. I understand the need for hallway supervision, but that takes away from giving teachers and paras time to communicate about what is going on in the classroom and how to best support the student needs.

I think that it is important to include these expectation in PD at the beginning of the year. As a new teacher, I truly didn't understand the relationship dynamics of paras and teachers. The collaboration could have been so much stronger and the students would benefit. Of course, when mentioning collaboration we have to address TIME. Designated time for educators to connect with paras and LC teachers would be necessary to bolster the effectiveness of the educators involved.

I think paras need to be paid a livable wage. Their role is SO important and many are not able to meet living expenses on their wages. We will continue to have shortages if we don't start to value this role more as an educational system.

I also think paras need to have access to relevant professional development, and be given time and pay to complete it. The more knowledgable they are in their role the better they are able to meet the needs of students and support teachers.

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