Have you ever been formally trained on how to work with paraprofessionals?
No? Me neither!

Unfortunately, this critical aspect of special education preparation—paraprofessional training--is too often overlooked.

In today's episode, we explore why effective training isn't just beneficial, but essential for everyone involved: You, your district, fellow teachers, the paraprofessionals, and most importantly, our students.

Key Points Discussed:

• Startling Statistic: Only 11 out of 50 states have established professional development programs for paraprofessionals aiming to achieve highly qualified status. We discuss the implications of this and why it’s vital to address.
• I share the structured training systems I implement at the beginning of each academic year. This handbook system is designed to help you clearly communicate with your staff and build a skilled and confident team of paraprofessionals.
• Learn how to incorporate ongoing training into your weekly or monthly routines to continually enhance the skills of your paraprofessionals. This approach ensures they are not only competent but also confident and content in their roles.
• A Comprehensive Paraprofessional Training Guide filled with practical advice, activities, and strategies will help to empower your team.
• Personal Insights and Innovations: Reflecting on her decades of experience, Jennifer discusses her journey from recognizing a gap in available resources to creating the Ultimate Paraprofessional Training Guide and handbook, which have now become integral to her training process.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to transform your approach to paraprofessional training. Check out the Ultimate Paraprofessional Training Guide
Equip yourself with the tools to develop a robust training program that supports your team and enhances the educational experience for your students.

Because efforts in training can lead to significant improvements in your educational setting, creating a more effective and cohesive team is essential. Elevate the role of paraprofessionals in special education by training yourself.

Get your FREE copy of Impact Statement Mastery: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Personalized IEPs.

• Expert tips and strategies,
• Easy-to-follow formats, and
• Real-life examples that bring theory to life.

A must-have for every special education teacher and related service provider.

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In this episode, we discuss how to maintain your professionalism when faced with tough moments in the classroom. Everyone loses their cool now and then, but it’s how we handle these situations that truly shapes our teaching environment.

Early in my career, I learned a costly lesson about controlling my reactions and to this day serves as an important reminder that our reactions have consequences.

Learn about:

• Identifying your triggers: Reflecting on this incident has made me realize the importance of recognizing personal triggers and stress points to better manage reactions and maintain a professional environment.
• Choosing your techniques to calm down: Discusses practical techniques for staying calm in the heat of the moment, such as deep breathing, stepping away briefly, and practicing mindfulness to build resilience over time.
• Responding Professionally: Offers strategies for handling confrontations professionally once you’ve managed to calm down, including using neutral language and scheduling follow-up discussions to thoroughly address important issues.
• Reflection and Feedback: Emphasizes the importance of reflecting on challenging interactions and seeking feedback to continually grow as an educator.
• Importance of Apologies: Discusses the power of apologizing and showing vulnerability, which can rebuild trust and demonstrate accountability.
• Golden Rule: Concludes with a reminder of the golden rule—treat others as you would like to be treated—which underpins the importance of maintaining professionalism and respect in all interactions.

Navigating challenging situations with professionalism not only helps us manage immediate challenges but also sets a positive standard for behavior in our educational environments.

Remember to download the free "Courageous Conversation Sentence Starters" to enhance your ability to handle difficult conversations effectively.

• Get your free "Courageous Conversation Sentence Starters" here: spedprepacademy.com/conversations

Get your FREE copy of Impact Statement Mastery: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Personalized IEPs.

• Expert tips and strategies,
• Easy-to-follow formats, and
• Real-life examples that bring theory to life.

A must-have for every special education teacher and related service provider.

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Welcome to 5th segment of Ask Us Anything. In these fun episodes of of the Special Education for Beginners podcast, Jennifer and her monthly co-host, Paul, answer the questions you ask.

Today's questions:

1. Megan asks “What are some fun End of Year educational activities? My principal said we still have to do educational things in our classes but my kids are off the walls."
2. From Heather..."I’ve had a student for 5 years and this is my first experience with transitioning a student to middle school. How can I prepare the student for the transition as well as myself and the parents?"
   
   

Bullet Points:

• End-of-Year Engagement: Discuss how to keep students engaged with educational activities as the school year ends.
• Highlight the use of project-based learning and other creative strategies such as incorporating movement and catering to different learning styles.
• Creative Educational Activities: Explore innovative classroom activities like creating custom escape rooms for review and adapting Genius Hour for short-term projects that allow students to explore their interests.
• Transitioning to Middle School: Provide advice for educators facing the emotional and logistical challenges of transitioning students to middle school.
• Emphasize the importance of building connections with the future school's staff and preparing both students and parents for the change.
• IEP Continuity: Stress the necessity of ensuring continuity in IEP implementation across school transitions. Suggest creating detailed snapshots of student progress to aid new teachers in understanding students' needs and strengths.

Closing:
Thank you for tuning into today's episode. We hope the strategies and stories shared here inspire you to implement creative solutions in your classrooms and support your students through important transitions. Remember, the end of the school year is not just a time to wrap up but an opportunity to celebrate growth and lay the foundation for future successes.

Keep sending your questions our way, and let's continue to support each other in our journey as special educators. See you next month, and here's to a wonderful summer break ahead!

Get your FREE copy of Impact Statement Mastery: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Personalized IEPs.

• Expert tips and strategies,
• Easy-to-follow formats, and
• Real-life examples that bring theory to life.

A must-have for every special education teacher and related service provider.

Follow Jennifer
Instagram
TPT