Competency Area F:
Public Relations
Teachers and others who direct the day-to-day work of paraprofessionals are in the best position to know what paraprofessionals do and what training they need to do it better. Teachers can help to inform others about the importance of the paraprofessional role and the need for training to ensure paraprofessionals are prepared for that role. The role of paraprofessionals has changed since they were introduced into the classroom in the 1950s. Changes have come about as a result of policy and practice changes. Also, changes in the teacher's role have also led to changes for the paraprofessional. For example, as the teacher increases his or her responsibilities in aligning curriculum to standards or participating in school wide management activities, a different reliance on the paraprofessional may occur and the paraprofessional may need training for that new or increased responsibility.
Competencies
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Informs administrators, teachers and parents of the responsibilities and roles paraprofessionals have in the educational program.
- Advocates for the paraprofessional regarding training and leave time, modifications in responsibility, involvement in decision groups, and other issues of importance to paraprofessionals.
Minnesota Resources and Tools
A variety of resources and tools are provided here for you to use when designing and offering your training for teachers. Some of these resources are referenced within the activities and discussions and you can find them here.
Activities and Discussion Questions
We have identified some activities and discussion questions you might use when working with teachers. Fran Johnson assisted with this list of activities. Some of the activities bring the activity to the paraprofessionals with whom the teacher works. We encourage active discussion.
See Competency Area G for related activities.
Activity:
Discuss changes in the teachers' roles over the past 10 years and how those changes can have an impact on the role of paraprofessionals. What influences could changes in policies and practices have on the paraprofessional role? You might discuss the impact that 1997 Amendments to IDEA had on the paraprofessional role. For example, "inclusion" and "transition" are both stressed in the law as options that should be provided. Discuss how these might impact paraprofessionals.
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