Working with Paraprofessionals - Texas SPED Quick Learns

Welcome to Texas SPED Quick Learns, a micro learning video series. In this video we will explore elements of working with paraprofessionals. The content of this video aligns with the resource document working with paraprofessionals which can be found on the Texas SPED Support website. We encourage you to pause the video now and download this document to use as a supporting resource throughout the video. This video aims to support a better understanding of the importance of clarifying roles and responsibilities assigned to teachers and paraprofessionals. You will also discover the significance of maintaining consistent and clear communication within teaching support teams. Additionally, you'll discover the benefits of continuous professional learning opportunities for both teachers and paraprofessionals. Paraprofessionals play a critical role on our campuses and in our classrooms. The responsibilities of a paraprofessional can change depending on the support needs of a classroom, a student, or a teacher. The classroom teacher is always the supervising teacher for all students. And the paraprofessional's responsibilities should align to the classroom or campus schedule. As a supervising teacher, you must have a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the paraprofessionals assigned to your classroom. All duties assigned to a paraprofessional should fall within their scope of certification and should always be supervised by a certified teacher. Paraprofessionals should spend the majority of their time on instructional duties and not on administrative duties. It is the supervising teacher's role to develop the lesson plans, the goals and objectives of a student's individualized education program, or IEP, and the classroom management system. The role of the paraprofessional is to support the implementation of these plans and expectations. Additional examples of the implementation roles and responsibilities are highlighted on your screen. A paraprofessional can implement individualized education program required supports during direct instruction under teacher supervision, provide support outside the general education classroom only when specified in the IEP. Fade supports as appropriate for individual students directed by the teacher. Assist in preparing teacher designed and IEP required materials, e. G. Accommodations and or modifications, for assignments. Collect and record data on student progress on academic and behavioral IEP goals using criteria developed by the Admission Review and Dismissal, ARD, committee. Assist in implementing a student's behavior intervention plan implement and collect data on behavior related IEP goals. It is critical for the supervising teacher to have well defined roles and responsibilities for the paraprofessionals in their classrooms. It is important to remember that direct instruction can only be delivered by a certified teacher however, paraprofessionals can support prerequisite learning and content review through small groups or individualized supports. It is also helpful to specify responsibilities related to communication with others outside the teacher paraprofessional team. The supervising teacher should always be the primary communicator to the parent or guardian regarding a student's academic and behavioral progress. Paraprofessionals should direct any family questions to the teacher while maintaining student confidentiality. Some tips to consider on student confidentiality include never discuss a student's educational plans in public places, such as the faculty room, playground, hallway, community park, or grocery store. When meeting to discuss a student's educational plan, only discuss information that is directly relevant to the issues at hand. If someone approaches you and begins to breach the confidentiality of a student, provide a kind but clear response. For example, I'm not on that student's educational team, so I don't think it is appropriate for me to be involved in discussing his educational program. When you or the paraprofessional are no longer on the student's team, you must continue to maintain confidentiality about any information that you have learned about the student and or family. When in doubt, put yourself in the shoes of the parent or student and ask yourself, would it be okay for people to be talking about me or my family in this manner in the same location and for the same purpose? As a supervising teacher, you're responsible for the day to day support and oversight of the paraprofessional in carrying out their job duties. Building rapport and buy in with paraprofessionals is important to becoming a successful team. Emphasizing the paraprofessional strengths and interests conveys that they are a valuable part of the educational team deserving the same respect as the teacher. To maintain effective communication, incorporate routine check ins and create a system of communication with your paraprofessional or paraprofessional team. Examples include weekly morning check ins or regular updates through scheduled emails to your paraprofessional team. Let's take a look at some examples of strategies that encourage collaboration and communication between the supervising teacher and the paraprofessional. Create a system of communication that ensures student information remains confidential. This might include email, phone calls, or meetings before or after the school day. Develop written plans that clearly outline the content and the level of detail needed for the paraprofessional to implement instructional strategies that effectively align with the lesson plan and student goals. Ensure that paraprofessionals have the most current information on the needs and goals of the students they are serving, including access to relevant IEP information. Support ongoing professional learning for the paraprofessional by modeling strategies and gradually increasing their responsibilities within the classroom. Schedule adequate planning time on a regular basis. Monitor and provide feedback on the working relationships among teachers paraprofessionals and other staff members. Provide mediation between staff members if conflicts arise. Ensure the supervising teacher and paraprofessional know who to contact if problems arise with the parent guardian, student, or staff member. Document all conversations that discuss the student's characteristics, needs, and educational goals. This includes team meetings, informal discussions and decisions, daily check ins, the team logbook, and any other communication. Provide the paraprofessional with an agenda that outlines daily and weekly duties, including grade level and content area meetings and planning time. Create norms and expectations for formal meetings, such as read reports in advance, follow an agenda and respect the meeting timeline, ensure both parties have time to talk and time to listen, review data associated with the student's IEP, And discuss a student's IEP before and after the Aard committee meeting. Document constructive and corrective feedback on instructional and non instructional activities. Let's now take a look at the importance ongoing professional learning for both you as the supervising teacher and your paraprofessionals. Ongoing professional learning is not only a mandatory requirement for all certified teachers, but it's also a best practice for staying current with the latest and most effective strategies in education. Your school district or charter school will offer various professional learning opportunities. Additionally, there are numerous options for ongoing education and professional learning at the regional level that are in alignment with the policies and expectations of the Texas Education Agency or TEA. In the role of a supervising teacher, you serve both as a supervisor and as a trainer, coach and model for paraprofessionals. It is essential that you participate in professional learning sessions related to job expectations. Topics for professional learning may include the following: Engaging in regularly scheduled planning time and communication with the paraprofessional Managing the schedules of paraprofessionals Delegating tasks and responsibilities Providing orientation for a new paraprofessional Informing the paraprofessional of professional learning opportunities Modeling academic and functional activities, instructional supports Evidence based instructional practices, skill sets and fading supports Managing the work environment Maintaining student confidentiality providing ongoing and objective feedback. Ongoing professional learning is crucial for classroom teachers, and it holds equal importance for paraprofessionals. Examples of professional learning activities could include webinars and trainings that align to their job descriptions and tasks they perform in the educational setting, orienting to a new district, classroom setting, or situations such as one on one student assistance disability specific information specifics to providing supports in academic and functional settings student queuing and prompting, implementation of IEP goals and objectives, and behavior supports. To explore professional learning opportunities beyond your campus and district, make sure to check out trainings provided by your Regional Education Service Center and utilize the various resources available on the Texas SPED support website. Professors Doctor. Michael Gian Greco and Doctor. Mary Beth Doyle summarize it very well when they state, It is the responsibility of the teacher and the special educator to assess students' educational needs and progress, to make decisions about curriculum, develop lesson plans that reflect individually determined adaptations, instructional methods, and data collection systems, and to be the primary liaison with the family. These are the responsibilities that many paraprofessionals are not trained in or qualified to undertake. In cases where they are qualified, for example, a certified teacher hired in a paraprofessional role, they are not compensated to do teacher level work. And as a paraprofessional are not accountable for the educational program in the same way as you are as an educator. Certified teachers are always responsible for effective, meaningful instruction for all students in their class, including students with disabilities, regardless of the paraprofessional supports provided for them. The supervising teacher plays a crucial role in in actively engaging with paraprofessionals, including delegation of tasks, monitoring implementation of those tasks, and offering timely feedback. Ensuring clarity and outlining paraprofessionals roles, including communication aspects, is essential. It is important that paraprofessionals understand how to carry out their assigned tasks and why those tasks are important. A simple way to remember your responsibilities as a certified teacher when it comes to paraprofessionals is with the acronym created by educators Mary McGrath and Beverly Johns, parapro. Parapro stands for prepare, assert, review, agree, plan reinforce and observe as a certified teacher you will prepare paraprofessionals for their role from the beginning assert your expectations in a helpful manner Review frequently how things are going. Agree to work out any problems and support each other. Plan carefully the activities you wish paraprofessionals to conduct. Reinforce paraprofessionals for their contributions and successes. Observe paraprofessionals frequently to ensure all is going well and that your plans are being implemented. Give constructive feedback based on your observations. The collaboration between teachers and paraprofessionals is a crucial element for fostering a positive classroom culture and enhancing student success. You have the ability to encourage and empower your paraprofessional team so that together you can unlock their potential and create a positive impact in the lives of your students. In your role as the supervising teacher, your guidance and influence play a key role in shaping the success of an effective support team and classroom environment. We trust that this microlearning video has provided you with insights into strategies and resources that can aid in supporting your team. For more resources on working with paraprofessionals and other professional learning opportunities, visit the Texas SPED Support website.