Working With Paraprofessionals Tina Winrow & John Mouanoutoua Wawona Middle School Fresno Unified School District WinNim CARS+ 2008

Paraeducators: Who are they? Paraeducators: Who are they? An instructional assistant -- not a clerical worker. They come alongside of us to assist us. WinNim CARS+ 2008

Time to reflect : How do you view your assistant? Time to reflect : How do you view your assistant? How do view your assistant’s role in the classroom? How do you view your assistant’s role in the classroom? Share out WinNim CARS+ 2008

1.New teacher/new aide 2.New teacher/veteran aide 3.Veteran teacher/new aide 4.Veteran teacher/veteran aide 5.Teacher with multiple aides 6.Teacher who lacks control 7.Aide that takes control 8.Aide that wants to be a friend So What’s Your Situation? WinNim CARS+ 2008

New Partnerships -- What do they look like?  Role confusion  Unaware of strengths  Undefined goals  Absence of norms and rules WinNim CARS+ 2008

Discovering our unique roles… WinNim CARS+ 2008

Role of the Paraeducator  Instruct  Observe  Role model  Enforcer  Relationship builder  Implement teacher’s plan  Administers informal tests  Parent conferences as needed  Shares ideas and carries out assigned duties WinNim CARS+ 2008

Role of the Educator  Plan weekly schedule, lessons  Provides leadership  Administer and score tests  Teaches whole class lesson  Determines objectives  Gives constructive feedback WinNim CARS+ 2008

 Sets expectations  Offers support  Leads & teaches by example  Observes behavior, plans behavior management  Meets with parents  Assists, observes, models  Gives clear directions WinNim CARS+ 2008

Educators’ Point of View: Why do problems occur? Educators’ Point of View: Why do problems occur?  Teachers aren’t sure of what to do  They don’t feel confident in role as supervisors  They don’t know how to give constructive feedback WinNim CARS+ 2008

 Unsure of role and duties of assistant  Lack of training  Don’t know how to build schedules for more than one person  Don’t know how to effectively deal with personalities and attitudes of assistants WinNim CARS+ 2008

Paraeducators’ Viewpoint: Why do problems occur? Paraeducators’ Viewpoint: Why do problems occur?  Not aware of rules, routines, and expectations  Given tasks where they are not comfortable and/or confident  Are treated with disrespect by teacher and students WinNim CARS+ 2008

 Treated with disdain by credentialed staff  Are not treated as professionals  Are not considered part of the team  Feelings are not acknowledged or valued WinNim CARS+ 2008

Are the blind leading the blind? Few university programs prepare teachers to work with other adults in their class. WinNim CARS+ 2008

The Keys to Success Building and maintaining a positive relationship through: WinNim CARS+ 2008

 Communication WinNim CARS+ 2008

“The effective communicator knows that 100 percent communication is highly unlikely and prepares for possible misunderstandings ahead of time.” -- Hamilton and Cordel Communicating for Results

Ways to Communicate:  Written  Verbal  Tone/inflection  Non-verbal/body language  “I” messages  Listening WinNim CARS+ 2008

Levels of Listening Ignoring: making no effort to listen Pretend: giving the appearance of listening Selective: hearing only the parts that interest you; comparing to your experiences Active: listening and responding to the words, intent, and feelings

Your message is conveyed through:  Nonverbal Cues: eye contact, facial expression, body posture and gestures  Vocal Cues: tone, pitch and rate of speech  Verbal Cues: choice of words

Things to be Communicated:  Structures and procedures for class  Expectations for class and each other  Observations of students  Responsibilities  Ideas, feelings, and concerns  Frustrations WinNim CARS+ 2008

Effective Instructions:  Begin with the big picture  Use a minimum number of words  Use understandable terms  Be specific  Use comparisons  Use repetition  Post visual steps  Use good delivery techniques

What is your Style? What is your Communication Style? Direct IndirectAggressive What could you do to make it better? WinNim CARS+ 2008

Communicating Cooperation Confrontational Absolutes No choice Blame Encourages similar response Cooperative Flexible Choices Removes Blame Encourages working together

What Hinders Success?  Time to plan  Time to share  Time for feedback WinNim CARS+ 2008

“Shared planning time helps paraeducators feel more confident and comfortable in their instructional roles. It helps to build more effective partnerships and more successful programs”. Winrow (2000) WinNim CARS+ 2008

Time to Reflect: How and where do you find time to communicate? Time to Reflect: How and where do you find time to communicate? Lunch, flexibility, come in early 1X/week, breakfast, prep, telephone, , short notes, journals, suggestion box, comment board Share Out WinNim CARS+ 2008

When there is NO communication --- When there is NO communication --- Conflicts occur! WinNim CARS+ 2008

Conflicts Occur when...  Disrespect  Misunderstandings  Feelings are devalued and/or not acknowledged  Mistrust  Anger builds  Inability to adapt or be flexible WinNim CARS+ 2008

Dealing with Conflicts  Recognize there is a problem  Identify concerns  Admit and accept ownership of the problem  Openly discuss all sides and points of views  Brainstorm solutions  Consensual agreement on decided alternatives  Make changes/Adapt to situation WinNim CARS+ 2008

Strategies for Resolving Conflicts  Take turns  Share  Compromise  Use humor  Seek mediation  Postpone until calm  Take a chance WinNim CARS+ 2008

Best Practices  Discover strengths and build upon them  Participate in meaningful in-services  Encourage further trainings  Use “we” not “me”  Always present a united front WinNim CARS Use “we” not “me”

 Teacher must model appropriate behavior towards their paraeducators  Teacher must be open to paraeducator’s ideas  Never allow students to call them by their first name  Teacher should be involved in the interview process WinNim CARS+ 2008

Elements of a Positive Relationship  Mutual respect & trust  Open communication  Shared leadership  Supervision with sensitivity  Valuing each other as professionals  Spending time together WinNim CARS+ 2008

 Mutual respect  Be supportive  Show united front Education Partnership WinNim CARS+ 2008

Building Partnerships:  They don’t just happen, they evolve  Positive partnerships must be planned and intentional  Must acknowledge others’ viewpoints  Support and encourage each other  Understand personalities, strengths and weaknesses WinNim CARS+ 2008

 Strained working relationships with teachers and staff  Frustration with students and parents  Lack of formal training  Not being appreciated  Negative classroom climate Reasons for Burnout: WinNim CARS+ 2008

 Use as an extension of yourself  Use as a co-pilot  Use as a sounding board  Use as a mirror How to Effectively Utilize your Paraeducator: WinNim CARS+ 2008

United we stand – divided we fall. WinNim CARS+ 2008