WIU New Paraeducator Orientation

 Introduce the ethical issues related to your role as paraprofessional  Define expectations regarding professional behavior  Review laws that affect paraprofessionals

1. Records and information related to students and their families are considered confidential. Children and youth have legal and human rights that must be respected. 2. Respect the roles of others in the schools and demonstrate your understanding of how your position relates to theirs. 3. Positive acknowledgement should be given to cultural diversity and the differences among individual children.

4. You are responsible for following the directions given to you by the classroom teacher, Special Education supervisor and other administrators. 5. Learn and follow the chain of command for administrative procedures. 6. Professional behavior includes attendance, punctuality, appropriate dress, and being a good team member. 7. As a member of the educational team, you should be committed to the mission and goals of your organization and your host district.

 Confidentiality –  Respecting the roles of others ◦ Who else is in the classroom? ◦ What are their roles? ◦ How do we make sure we work as a team?  Tolerance  Following directions  Loyalty

 You are the public face of WIU!  Our students, their parents, the administrators and the greater community all trust us to be mature, professional, capable and competent.

 How you dress, what time you get to work and leave, all is being watched. Because you are in a district without constant supervision, you are perceived as having freedoms that you really don’t have.  To keep our classrooms open in the districts, we have to be above reproach! We have to present a happier smile, a more positive attitude, etc. The districts don’t need us, we need them.

 Make a point to know and follow the policies and procedures of the host district ◦ Dress Code ◦ Cell phone policy ◦ Personal calls/emergencies

 You will be treated as you are dressed.  Research shows connections between how we are dressed and levels of respect  Exercise good judgement! ◦ Dress appropriately for the situation ◦ Neat, clean and non distracting clothing ◦ Don’t make your fashion statement at school!

 Halter tops, off the shoulder or low cut tops, spaghetti strap tops, tight or form fitting clothing  Skirts/dresses/skorts/shorts that are shorter than two inches above the knee  Blue jeans or denim skirts unless it is a “jeans day” at school, or a specific activity deems it appropriate.  Low cut pants that expose the midriff

 Clothing that allows undergarments to be visible  Sweat suits, jogging suits  Tee shirts with messages on them

 Flip flops, strappy sandals, dirty or torn tennis shoes, any shoes that prevent you from running  Visible body piercings, nose rings, eyebrow rings  Inappropriate tattoos

 Loose fitting and well tailored is best.  Stay stylish, but too much so.  Some say avoid sleeveless  If you’re young, be extra careful.  Makeup is not necessarily your friend.  For shoes, comfort is king.  Leave the bling at home.

Dress for: ◦ Comfort ◦ Professionalism ◦ Individual personality

 Media will aggressively pursue any story alleging inappropriate conduct with a student  Avoid accusations/liability ◦ Maintain your personal space, and respect students personal space too. ◦ Be careful when choosing your words to avoid any out of context confusion ◦ Don’t be alone with students! ◦ Keep doors open and unlocked

 Don’t become “friends” with your students. ◦ Facebook ◦ MySpace ◦  Do not socialize with students  Do not think it can’t happen to you!

 What happens in class, stays in class.  No gossip.  Always dress professional.  Treat others as you would have them treat you.  The internet is everywhere!