logistics Archives - Susan Fitzell

On the Same Page: Part Four

Susan Fitzell, M.Ed., CSP — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:26:52 +0000

This week, we finish up our four part article, On the Same Page: Paraprofessionals and Teachers Working Together with a look at a few things that teachers and paraprofessionals might consider as “discussion starters” and questions when talking about Communication:

How and when will professionals and paraprofessionals communicate about concerns, student updates, intervention progress, etc.?
Who will be responsible for communicating with parents?
Will communication with parents be verbal or written? What parameters should the paraprofessional work within? Are there times when communication should be deferred to the classroom teacher, special educator, or administrator?
When should conversations with parents be documented? When should they not be documented? If documented, what form should that documentation take?
Exactly who should the paraprofessional report to if any conversation with a parent occurs that might cause concerns, or where student issues need to be related?

If you are just joining the discussion, please take a look at the previous installments, which address lesson planning, instruction, and behavior management.

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Susan Discusses Paraprofessionals on Special Needs Talk Radio

Susan Fitzell, M.Ed., CSP — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:28:25 +0000

Susan Fitzell was the special guest of Nicole Eredics and Terri Mauro of The Inclusive Classroom radio show, which aired on January 20, 2012. For those of you who may have missed it, just click on the image below to hear that interview!

The post Susan Discusses Paraprofessionals on Special Needs Talk Radio appeared first on Susan Fitzell.

On the Same Page: Part Three

Susan Fitzell, M.Ed., CSP — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:18:17 +0000

In parts one and two of this article, we’ve discussed some things that paraprofessionals and teachers might consider when discussing lesson planning and instruction. This week , we offer some thoughts to consider when addressing Student Behavior:

What are the behavioral expectations and rules for students in the classroom?
What methods are used to gain student understanding of classroom expectations and rules?
How will students perceive those expectations and rules in regards to the paraprofessional’s authority? Who clarifies the paraprofessional’s level of authority?
How should the paraprofessional deal with misbehavior, disruptions, or problems that occur in the classroom?
Who will provide the paraprofessional with positive behavior management training when necessary?

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On the Same Page: Part Two

Susan Fitzell, M.Ed., CSP — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:13:20 +0000

Last week we offered some “discussion starters” and questions that teachers, and their paraprofessionals, might consider when talking about lesson plans. This week’s thoughts address Instruction:

Will the paraprofessional provide input into the planning process for either specific students or the class in general? If so, how will the classroom teacher gain that input?
Will the paraprofessional have input into lesson planning, or planning for reteaching?
When and how should the paraprofessional’s experience in the classroom contribute to interventions used with non-responders or students with special needs?

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