Paraeducators are God's gift to teachers.

First of all, for those of you who don't know what a paraeducator is, let me educate you!

According to a website found through google,

Paraeducator is defined as a school employee who works under the supervison of teachers or other professional practitioners. Their jobs are instructional in nature and they provide other direct services to children and youth and their families.

Paraeducators provide instructional support which includes, (1) one-on-one tutoring, (2) assist with classroom management, (3) provide instructional assistance in a computer laboratory, (4) conduct parental involvement activities, (5) provide instructional support in a library or media center, (6) act as a translator, or (7) provide instructional support services under the direct supervision of a highly qualified teacher or professional practitioner.
Website: http://www.rrsc.k12.hi.us/ea/paraeducator.html

They are also called paraprofessionals, teacher assistants, instructional assistants, paras, etc.

There are three paraprofessionals in the Special Education department at the middle school I work at and I have never been so grateful for any three people before! Sometimes paras are actually fairly useless and can be a little demeaning and assume to know more than you if they have been there longer than you. My paras are angels.

Because my class is all about getting help on assignments and homework in other classes, it's helpful to go to the class and observe so that you know the material and expectations for that class. This is where the paras come into play! I do not have time to follow each of my students and get to know what is needed/expected in other classes, but they get to go to the other classes and learn all of that stuff. It is wonderful!

Wednesday was the first day we split into groups and started working on other classwork and my paraprofessionals were fantastic! They knew exactly what to do and they helped take charge and get organized. I honestly don't know what I would do without them. They are especially helpful in my class of fifteen 8th graders. That class is complete chaos and hopefully (after lots and lots of training) I can get them to stay focused and finish what they need to. It might take all year, but we will get there!

-Ms. Damron-