Comments on: What Are 10 Things a Paraeducator Can Do To Help a Child?

By: readers1

readers1 — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 02:52:26 +0000

Jeannie:
Well, I’m a teacher, so I guess I will dare to venture a few thoughts here:
1) In most districts nowadays, paraprofessionals have instructional duties. They teach kids. This is why you see them leading small groups, tutoring, and performing other instructional tasks.
2) The classroom teacher is neither the superior nor supervisor of the classroom aide. It is the administrator of the school who determines the aide’s duties, conducts performance reviews, etc.
3) I would hope that a classroom aide or other parapro would question a teacher’s authority under some circumstances. I’ve seen aides question a gen. ed teacher’s directive to give kids answers on benchmark exams, call out a teacher for providing incorrect information to students (my absolute favorite? “Captain Cook was looking for the Northwest Passage, but he couldn’t find it, so that’s why he built the Panama Canal”) and refuse to impose behavioral consequences that made no sense. Teachers are neither infallible nor dictators. Paraprofessionals are neither servants nor slaves. They are our partners.
4) It is the height of arrogance to make stupid and demeaning pronouncements about paraprofessionals on a blog that promotes rigorous instruction and high standards, particularly when said comments contain the words “how dare you”. One might assume that rather than lifting colleagues up, the speaker spreads misery and discord.
5) If you had bothered to learn anything about the author of the article, you’d have realized that he is a journalist and attorney who chose to retire from both to work with kids with autism and other learning challenges. He chose NOT to get his credential when he was a mere credit away, because he preferred the joys of working with individual students rather than a whole class. No need to apologize; Richard doesn’t sweat the small people.
Sara Finegan, M.Ed.

By: Richard Finegan

Richard Finegan — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 02:37:50 +0000

Jeannie, Jeannie, Jeannie:
I do not work for any teacher. I work for the same school district they do. My obligation is not to keep the teacher happy. My obligation is to serve the kids just like their’s is. If you want a personal assistant, get over it. That’s not our job.
Richard Finegan, Juris Doctor, Paraeducator

By: Jeannie

Jeannie — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 03:47:22 +0000

I like your tips, but let me be very clear—You are an AIDE. If you want to be a teacher, get your credential. You do what the teacher asks you to do and YOU, as an aide do not have the right to question. Did I say it clearly enough. You are an assistant. You follow the teacher’s lead. How dare you assume you have the right to question his or her authority.

By: Angela

Angela — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 16:59:16 +0000

This is so important to know. I have such a passion to help children succeed in life. Education is so very important.

By: "The Demanding Classroom" Writes about Paraprofessionals | National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 18:05:50 +0000

[...] What Are 10 Things a Paraeducator Can Do To Help a Child? Includes great tips such as "Never underestimate the child’s abilities", "Gradually remove supports" and "Do not get into a power struggle with a child". [...]

By: m

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:16:08 +0000

I loved this article. I am considering becoming a para, applying for a sub-para position at the moment. Thank you for the information.

By: Rose Gilbert

Rose Gilbert — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:39:54 +0000

This is a great list! It gives wonderful insight to the paraeducator and how their role/behavior will affect outcomes of independence and self-determination for the student.

PS: As a parent of a 29 year old with a developmental disability (who is extremely independent), I applaud your work and wish parents would understand the effects of their behavior as well.