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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

7. Discovering our unique roles… WinNim CARS+ 2008

8. 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

9. 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

10.  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

11. 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

12.  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

13. 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

14.  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

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

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

17.  Communication WinNim CARS+ 2008

18. “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

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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

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

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

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

27. “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

28. 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, email, short notes, journals, suggestion box, comment board Share Out WinNim CARS+ 2008

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

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

31. 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

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

33. 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+ 2008 Use “we” not “me”

34.  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

35. 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

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

37. 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

38.  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

39.  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

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