OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVANCEMENT

INSPECIAL EDUCATION

National UniversitySchool of Education

Department of Special Education

NRC Para Conf 0509 2

In Praise of Paras ...

• Who help children• learn• grow• succeed and THRIVE

• Who are valuable assets to the teacher, the classroom, the school, the district, and the local community

• Who are rooted in the local community

NRC Para Conf 0509 3

A Para’s work includes...

• Student support in one-on-one shadowing, tutoring, coaching, mentoring, feeding, holding, containing, etc. in• Special ed classrooms• General ed inclusion

• Teacher support in instructional delivery, classroom management, community liaison

• School support during playground, recess, lunch

NRC Para Conf 0509 4

Paras are almost like teachers...

• in supporting , teaching, encouraging, and caring for students,

• BUT• do so under a teacher’s

supervision, instruction and guidance

• LEGALLY.• You’re like teachers

without credentials…

NRC Para Conf 0509 5

What Would it Take to Go from Paraeducator to Special Education Teacher?

• NCLB requires a teaching license and a Bachelor’s degree

• Otherwise it depends on your state!• In California, you need

• A Bachelor’s degree in subject matter• English, Math, Science, Social Sciences are most desired• Interdisciplinary studies, languages, etc are acceptable• Some new degree programs combine with a credential

• A teaching credential• A teaching position (internships available)

NRC Para Conf 0509 6

Teaching in Special Education

• Good news (and bad news) is • That we have severe and persistent shortage of

special education teachers• That you have good chances for job security

• Special ed services are mandated• You’re inoculated against the difficulties of the job• You’re generally very dedicated to the children

• That paras who enter teaching tend to stay• That paras bring in the culture, knowledge and

concerns of the local community

NRC Para Conf 0509 7

Special Education at National University

• There are many program options including• Curriculum pathways (current sampling)

• Certificates• Autism certificate (handout)

• Early Childhood Special Education• Bachelor’s degree programs with credentials

• BA with a concentration in Early Childhood Education

• BA in English with credential (handout)

• BA in Interdisciplinary Studies with credential (handout)

  

NRC Para Conf 0509 8

Special Education at National University

• Continuation of Curriculum Pathways (current sampling)

• Master’s degree programs• Masters of Arts in Teaching

• Autism (handout)

• Best Practices• Applied Behavioral Analysis• Early Childhood Special Education• National Board Certified Teacher Leadership

• Masters of Sciences in Special Education• Deaf and Hard of Hearing with DHH credential (handout)

• Masters of Education• Cross Cultural Teaching with credential• Best Practices

NRC Para Conf 0509 9

Special Education at National University

• Credential offerings (with internship options):• CA Mild/Moderate

• Serves students with mild/moderate disabilities including learning disabilities, emotional disturbance, mild mental retardation

• Meets Resource Specialist Program requirements• CA Moderate/Severe

• Serves students with more profound disabilities or greater level of need; can be pre-academic/life skills based programs

• CA Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NRC Para Conf 0509 10

Special Education at National University

• There are many instructional delivery options including• Onsite instruction

• Traditional face-to-face model• Web-based instruction

• Instruction delivered from web to onsite NU centers• Online instruction

• Instruction delivered to your desktop at home or work• Computer access also available at NU regional centers

• Hybrid instruction• Uses both onsite and online formats

NRC Para Conf 0509 11

About National University

• Mission Statement:

NU is dedicated to making lifelong

learning opportunities

accessible, challenging, and

relevant to a diverse student population

NRC Para Conf 0509 12

National University• 2008 Factbook (pamphlet)

• Unique one course a month format

• Year round entry/exit• Accelerated pace geared

towards the adult learner• Relevant, up to date

content and delivery • Next Step (pamphlet)

• Accreditations• Application process

NRC Para Conf 0509 13

National University Resources• Financial Aid

• Federal, state, and local funding sources• Grants

• California Community College articulation agreement• Para Pipeline (handout)

• PEBSE (handout)

• Library System• Student Concierge Service• Tech Support Center• *Recent stimulus bill = your Opportunity!

NRC Para Conf 0509 14

National University’s Core Values

• Quality• Access• Relevance• Accelerated Pace• Affordability• Community

• Contact: Joy Kutaka-Kennedy• jkutakak@nu.edu• 408.236.1146

NRC Para Conf 0509 15

Why we do it ~ it’s fun!