1. Paraeducator Orientation August Inservice 2014

2. Welcome!  Paraeducators share many similar qualities:  enjoyment of children  willingness to assist and support the teacher  dedicated to helping students  flexible and resourceful  collaborate well with teachers and other paraeducators

3. Responsibilities of Paras  Support the teacher  Be a team member  Carry out the programs developed by the instructional staff  Assist with non-teaching tasks  Help children become independent learners  Prepare materials  Provide supports in the general and special education classrooms

4. Confidentiality  Only with those directly involved with the student  Direct parent inquiries go to the supervising teacher  Only with those who have a need to know  Provide information for instruction only  If you need a sounding board – talk to your supervising special education teacher

5. Timesheets  Please keep them on a daily or weekly basis  Email them into the central office by the 15 th of each month  Must be signed by your supervising teacher  Make sure that timesheets match your leave forms that have been sent to HPEC central office  No more than 35 hours per week unless you have special permission from the director  Unscheduled closings are built in at 7 hours per year to cover snow days, state basketball, music festivals

6. Technology *Do not text students *Do not text and drive *Do not be distracted from students by your phone *Follow the school’s cell phone policy *If students are not allowed to use their phone during class, then neither should you

7. Social Media  Please do not add students to your social media  Be careful about what you say and what pictures you post  Please stay off of it during school hours

8. Chain of Command *Director *Area Supervisor *Principal *Immediate Supervising Teacher *In Class, General Education Teacher *In Resource Room, Special Education Teacher

9. Staff Development  Beginning August 2009, High Plains Educational Cooperative will support a Tiered Paraeducator Inservice plan. Paraeducators who have worked as a Kansas special education para less than 3 years ( within the past 3 years) are to complete 20 hours of inservice if employed for 9 months during the school year.  Paras can obtain hours by attending workshops, watching videos, reading books, and accessing the Infinitec website at http://www.myinfinitec.org. http://www.myinfinitec.org  Need to turn in a Professional Development Plan quarterly to HPEC.

10. Interested in Becoming a Teacher?  We will reimburse paraeducators for college coursework leading to a degree in education upon approval by HPEC administration. See page 17 of the Para Handbook. Each hour of college credit is worth 20 in-service points.  www.fhsu.edu/te/pdfs/Residency-Brochure/

11. Ask Your Supervising Teacher and Your Peer Paras …..  What will my specific responsibilities be?  What are my expected hours?  Tell me more about how to do time sheets, PDC (Engage).  What are your expectations with cell phone usage?  What are the specific goals you have in mind for students?  What techniques work best with what students?

12. Thanks! Have a great year! We are glad you are here!