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Paras, you were born under a “Wandering Star”?
Dr. Ashleigh MolloyPresident: TransEd Institute.
Objectives
• To demonstrate the role played by the Para in student success
• To examine the value added service component to the school district
• To explore the comparison between a para and a star through the voice of parents, students and colleagues
Greetings from Lindsey Molloy
“Hello everyone, my name is Lindsey. Dr. Ash is my dad. Enjoy yourself, happy learning. Goodbye. “
What are Paras?(My Take)
• Paras are like… - BAYER ASPIRIN “They work miracles.”
• Paras are like… - FORD “They have better ideas.”
What are Paras? (My Take)
• Paras are like…– NIKE“They just do it.”
• Paras are like…– Energizer Batteries“They keep going, going,and going.”
What are Paras? (My Take)
• Paras are like…– NOKIA“They connect people.”
• Paras are like…– APPLE COMPUTERS“They think outside the box”
What are Paras? (My Take)
• Paras are like…– IMAX“They think BIG.”
• Paras are like…– General Electric“They are imagination at work.”
But Most of all…Paras are like - FROSTED FLAKES“They’re GRRRRREAT!!!!!”
www.transedinstitute.org
What are Paras? (My Take)
WPEC
Paras on Paras
ParaEducators• WHO Are WE?• The changing landscape of public education has had a significant impact on the
roles of support professionals who serve in our schools. Increasing numbers of English language learners, and the rising enrollment of students with disabilities and other special needs are just some of the factors that make the need for a dynamic school team more necessary than ever.
• In this challenging environment, paraeducators -- also known as paraprofessionals -- play an increasingly critical role in improving student achievement.
• Paraeducator means "along side of " and like their counterparts in the medical fields -- paralegal and paramedics -- they assist and support the work team in a variety of ways.
• In many districts, these special professionals live in the school neighborhood, speak the language of the students and provide a special liaison to the community and its culture.
Getting Educated: Paraeducators
• "The range and flexibility of paraeducator positions make it difficult for most folks to understand exactly where our role begins and ends. We are the mortar that fits where it needs to fit to keep the whole structure together." -Sandie Blankenship, Special Education Paraeducator, North Kingstown, Rhode Island
Interview with Sharon
MYTH #1:
• "Assisting in a classroom or school isn't challenging. There's no need for professional development.“
• It didn't take long to realize that Paras would need ongoing professional development to meet the complex needs of their students.
MYTH #2:
• "There is no room for career growth as a paraprofessional.“
• Louisiana Para Iona Holloway• "It's becoming a widely known fact:
paraprofessionals are integral to successful schools" she says. "And with new requirements demanded by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, now is the time to think about becoming highly qualified so that you can advance into teaching if that's what you want."
MYTH #2:
• Dr. Cathy Wooley-Brown, who developed Florida's Paraprofessionals as Teachers Program
• "Put simply, the paraprofessionals are the people who know the kids and the climate of the school," she adds. Not only do they already have hands-on classroom experience, but "paraeducators also offer ethnic diversity and a level of maturity that directly benefits school districts. And because they are already a part of the community and local schools, they are unlikely to move away
Rey
• “She's completely self-sufficient and does everything for herself, until she meets [Finn] and an adventure begins.”
Para Problem Solver
Definition of a Star
• A fixed luminous point in the night sky that is a large, remote incandescent body like the sun
• An object in the sky that sends out its own light
Activity
• Discuss and describe how a Para could be similar to a star?
When you wish upon a star
The Force Awakens
• Paras are the force that awakens their students to learning.
• self esteem• physical comforts • socialization• life skills
Define a Relationship
• The way in which two or more people feel and behave towards each other
Observations of those being serviced by Paras
Eight Year Old Nick
Eva – Special Ed Teaching Assistant
Maddox
Requirements for becoming a Paraeducator in Illinois
• Paraeducators, or paraprofessionals as they are called in the state of Illinois, work as teacher aides.
• Paraprofessionals support teacher interactions with students by providing tutoring, helping students learn curriculum, aiding in classroom instruction and organizing materials for classroom instruction.
Parapro Skills
Good Communication
Observation
Next, let’s play with some words.
What do you see?Que es lo que ves?
In black you can read the word GOOD, in white the word EVIL (inside each black letter is a white letter.
En negro puedes leer la palabra GOOD, en blanco la palabra EVIL
Now, what do you see?
You may not see it a first, but the white spaces read the word optical, the blue landscape reads the word illusion. Look again! Can you see why this painting is called an optical illusion?
Last one.
What do you see?Que lo que ves?
You probably read the word ME in brown, but…….
When you look through ME
You will see
YOU!
Tu te veras a ti y a mi.
Test Your Brain
This is really cool. The second one is amazing so please read all the way through.
OBSERVATION TEST
(I love this part...its absolutely amazing!) Count every “F” in the following text:
10 Second IQ Test
Experience Brain Processing ChallengesProcesamiento del cerebro
Visual Perception:
What is this a picture of?
We all look at the same image but may not all process the information in the same way.Looking at the image “in different ways” allows everyone an opportunity to process the image
of the Dalmatian
Does it help if the image is blackened-out?
Does it help if the photo is in more detail?
Spatial Perception:
La percepcion espacial
What is this a picture of?
HORSEor
FROG?
HORSECABALLO
When the position of the picture changes, the meaning of the image changes and it affects the way we perceive it.
FROGRANA
Can you find seven dolphins?
Puedes encontrar los siete delfines?
A LITTLE HELP CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Now Find Them….
Say the colour! not the word YELLOW BLUE ORANGE
AMARILLO AZUL NARANJABLACK RED GREEN
NEGRO ROJO VERDEPURPLE YELLOW RED
MORADO AMARILLO ROJOORANGE GREEN BLACK
MORADO VERDE NEGROBLUE RED PURPLE
AZUL ROJO MORADOGREEN BLUE ORANGEVERDE AZUL NARANJA
Does your brain get jammed up when processing two
tasks simultaneously?
The brain gets mixed messages and finds it difficult
to re-focus with the two stimuli
Your right brain tries to say the color but your left brain insists on reading the word.
You are the “CHEERLEADER” that encourages students to be the best that they can be
You are the COMFORTER when life exposes students to hurtful experiences
You are the PARTNER who teams up with the teachers to form a dynamic duo that assists with their learning
Role Model
Transformation Education InstituteCopyright 2010
Disrespect Hurts
You are the SUPPORTER as students navigate their daily living challenges
You are the ADVOCATE and thus a “voice” for students
You are the PROMOTER for students’ independence as you work to prepare them to be as self sufficient as they can possibly be given their different abilities
Role Model
Transformation Education InstituteCopyright 2010
Bridge Builder
Definition of a Bridge
A structure built over a depression or obstacle for use as a passageway
Bridge builder as an enabler accommodating change
• Definition:• A Visionary (Forward thinking)• One who sees the positive possibilities
resulting from change• One who sees change as a form of growth
Bridge Builders Promote Accessibility
• Definition: Capacity to enter
Physical Accessibility (Environmental/ Classroom)
Thinking Outside the Box?
Social Accessibility
• Provide opportunities for students to participate with their able bodied peers in their classroom community
• Validate a classroom environment that promotes differences as the norm
• Ensure that respect is embedded in your teaching practice
• To enable all students to learn and succeed together
Builders of Community
• “People need to feel they are welcome”• We need to unwrap the gifts of individual
differences• A gift is defined as a special ability , capacity,
or talent
Glass of water: Question?• Is the glass half full or half empty?
• Pessimist or Optimist?• Bridge Builders are optimistic and belie in the
possibilities and potential of ALL their students
When you wish upon a star
When you wish upon a starMakes no difference who you areAnything your heart desiresWill come to youWhen a star is bornThey possess a gift or two.One of them is thisThey have the power to make a wish come true.
The Future Awaits
Thank God I’m A Para ProV.1Well life as a Para is never laid back Nothin’ really much us Paras can’t HACK. Its late to bed rise early from the sackThank God I’m a Para pro.V.2Well wouldn’t trade my role for diamonds or jewels. I never was one of those money hungry fools.I’d rather work with kids use my skills and tools. Thank God I’m a Para pro.Chorus Well I got me a fine job, ideas on the griddle When the sun comes up I feel as fit as a fiddle. Life for me really is no riddle Cause I know that I help schools sizzle.V.3Well Paras serve students with their different needs. Treating them with dignity and doing good deeds. Workin with the teachers and fellow colleagues. Thank God I’m a Para pro.
Thank God I’m a Para pro. Composed as a tribute to honor paras at NRC Conference Dr.Ashleigh Molloy AKA “Dr. Ash”
Paraeducator Web Resources• The NEA Paraeducator Handbook • The NEA Paraeducator
Handbook: Providing Ongoing Professional Development • Results-Oriented Job Descriptions: How Paraeducators
Help Students Achieve • Roles for Education Paraprofessionals• Let's Team Up• National Clearinghouse for Paraeducator Resources • National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals • Project PARA • Designing State and Local Policies for the Professional Development of Instr
uctional Paraeducators
• Guide to Developing Paraprofessional to Teacher Toolkit • Roles for Education Paraprofessionals in Effective Schools: An Idea Book
Thank [email protected]
Merci Obrigado Muchos Gracias Salamat
Cam UngRahmet Megwich Spasibo Kitos Grazie
