Don't just, at the end of all this say, "Well now I'm done with Google classroom and take everything down and get rid of it." If you're working in a situation where you're able to drop things off at the student's house. 9/21/2020 07:27:38 pm. Paraprofessionals often learn many of their practical skills on the job. Pair that with situations in which paras may or may not have access to computers or the internet. Build this into an ELA lesson by giving parents a … ‎This week’s episode is going to be super short and sweet! That gives families something to get some of our students who are most needy of instruction, something structured to get them to do. So that you're giving questions to the student, and then you give a question to the para, and you give a question to the student. It publishes six different paraprofessional training manuals, including the Core Curriculum for Paraprofessionals. The paraprofessional joins the online classes to support the student in using the school platform and instructional materials, and assisting with multiple transitions within the lessons. As districts nationwide have no doubt learned, distance learning is different—in good ways and in challenging ways—from the traditional in-person educational experience. Today I want to talk some about paraprofessionals and some things that they can do as part of the distance education effort to help our students if they are still working. However, PELSB wanted to ensure the districts are aware of the support that paraprofessionals can provide during in-person, hybrid, and distance learning models, and that districts are aware of the possibility of applying for a Tier 1 license if a paraprofessional holds a bachelor's degree or higher. Check out these fun reso, Distance Learning is difficult for all of our stud, Are you already listening to my podcast? This is a three-minute video to show how to setup a routine in the Alexa app to remind you of a distance learning class. Request additional technology from SSD administrator … Students learned how to plan a monthly calendar, budget their money, use a debit card, and attend activities with peers. And there's so many Here are 15 ways to use your paraprofessionals to support the classroom program and students during school closures. And there's so many Paraprofessionals and Covid 19 School Closures To give you some context, we are in the middle of the coronavirus school shutdown. So if you're interested in our free trial for the Academy, you can find more information at specialeducatoracademy.com. I think that that is a really nice idea. Engagement Expectations for Distance Learning: Be available to support students and teachers during the entire instructional day per classroom schedule. The key to a more successful video call (whether you are using Zoom, Google Meet, or another video conferencing platform) is to have a plan, engage students with activities they can physically participate in, and limit downtime. They could also just make a phone call to them on a weekly basis and check in with them and see how they're doing. Use surveys, rubrics, or journaling to give students a chance to assess their own learning and give you feedback about your teaching. One of the things that I was thinking of is if they have the capability on their phones to make videos, have them make videos of activities that you could use for video modeling for your students. And, and then you can keep them as part of your teaching repertoire. Educators, let go of your preconceived notions and expectations. Any system you adopt to either teach or learn should be user-friendly for everyone involved. Think about your personal teaching style and build your expectations around that. If you are doing live video sessions with your students and your paras have the ability or the capability at home to check in with those, having them join you in those live sessions I think would be a really great way to do this. Guidance for paraprofessionals on remote learning. They can also do that from their phone. Distance Learning "As we enter the Information Age, more and more adults from various economic and cultural backgrounds, already in the workplace, and with families are seeking to educate themselves to keep up in their careers" (Duderstadt, J., 1999). Ease of Use. So in Episode 33 I’ve gathered up 7 ways that paras can get involved in the distance education effort. So, you know, try to make sure that that would be okay with the para if you're using their students or themselves. Simplicity is the key. Paraprofessional Support During Distance Learning. Share your insights with other teachers and staff members. Professional learning can also be supported by ensuring paraprofessionals have “go to” resources and learning module assignments for times when the paraprofessional may unexpectedly have opportunities for professional learning such as when students are absent. Putting those and assigning them to specific students. Class Businesses for Fundraising in Special Education. Build this into an ELA lesson by giving parents a … Reply. So in today's blog post that goes with this podcast episode, I will also include some links for some resources for doing that. Hopefully, these ideas will help that work be meaningful and helpful for you. Ms. Rodriguez is a . So I thought that's a really good idea. Thank you for adapting them to distance learning. Commenting on the student's assignments or completion. There are still others where the teacher is told that they are still responsible for supervising and delegating to their paraprofessionals. Many teachers are being asked to use their paras to support their classrooms even though they aren’t teaching in the classroom. A paraprofessional may work with students one-on-one or in small groups to reinforce learning. Apr 16, 2020 - How to use Classroom Paraprofessionals for special education classrooms during Distance Learning And there’s so many ways that we can do this, that I decided to put together a blog post for you with some different ideas. If you have family members who are healthcare workers, grocery workers, anybody, first responders, anybody, thank you so much for all that you do. Distance learning is pushing the field to consider how paraprofessionals can fulfill their roles in new and creative ways, particularly with the use of technology. Even if they're really making contact with a family member and that family member has them on speaker so the student can hear them, if the student isn't able to use the phone, that may mean a lot to that student to continue that relationship. And those could be simple shoe box tasks that could be simple, put in tasks. In other words, the teachers are looking at the forest and the paras are amongst the trees. 12/31/2020 06:40:13 am. In order to get all of those links and in order to be able to access the free three webinars, just go to autism classroom resources.com/episode 33 and there you will find access to the resource library, which is where the training sites are and all of the links that go with this. Some people can send things home; some people aren't allowed to send things home. Key expectations are as follows: Participate in scheduled school-based professional development regarding online learning. It may just make it … Hope these ideas help! No? Special Education Resources for Teachers to Use During Distance Learning. to Meet New Standards. The goal of these instructional materials is to provide personnel developers and trainers with resources they can use to improve the performance of their paraeducator workforce. Apr 13, 2020 - How to use Classroom Paraprofessionals for special education classrooms during Distance Learning Video calls with any class brings about its own set of challenges. One thing that Tammy from the Special Educator Academy shared today that I think is a really good point is that if you are asking your paraprofessionals to do things for you, check in with them regularly. Key expectations are as follows: Participate in scheduled school-based professional development regarding online learning. However, PELSB wanted to ensure the districts are aware of the support that paraprofessionals can provide during in-person, hybrid, and distance learning models, and that districts are aware of the possibility of applying for a Tier 1 license if a paraprofessional … If you're a paraprofessional or working with one, you may be wondering how to best utilize their services during distance learning. Also, the para could participate in a lesson. paraprofessionals and some things that they can do as part of the distance education effort to help our students if they are still working. And then you could drop them off with the students. Check in, share what you're thinking, those kinds of things. So I think that that's something that would be a really good use of their time. Utilize paraprofessionals to reteach skills, provide additional practice, or support instructional activities. Paraprofessional Support to Enhance Access and Engagement During Distance Learning. So if you have clothespins and coffee cans, but it could also be things that you've ordered from Amazon or the dollar store or something like that. It’s just amazing the variety that we’re seeing. More in our Privacy Policy, EPISODE 33 PARAS IN DISTANCE LEARNING TRANSCRIPT, three free resources that the, that many paras have been taking, free Facebook group at specialeducatorsconnection.com, ← How to Cope with “Home Schooling” in Special Education, How to Run a Meaningful Virtual IEP Meeting →. Website Design By Jumping Jax Designs, How are you feeling today? These are excellent strategies. There is something, No one wants to talk poop, but toileting is a real, Cold winter days can be so dreary for our students, Digital Winter Escape Rooms are here...and the bes, This just in—the latest blog post jam packed with holiday activities and book recommendations you need now to enjoy these next few days⁣. Those are some ideas that I’ve been able to think of for using paraprofessionals during distance learning. Organizing & Setting Up Classrooms| Working With Staff | April 12, 2020. I'll definitely use them in my virtual classroom. Why n, Anybody else get stuck in a rut when lesson planni, I love the start of a new year! Paraprofessionals can plan art and social-emotional lessons and activities. Distance learning (or electronic learning/e-Learning) requires a different skill set than our in-person classroom instruction skill set. Reham Shehata. As part of the school closures for COVID-19, one question that has come up frequently in the Special Educator Academy and on social media is how to involve paraprofessionals in the distance learning of your students. You could have the paraprofessional participate in a game. And the PE teacher comes, which I think is phenomenal. by chanh | Oct 27, 2020 | Uncategorized. Paraprofessionals and Covid 19 School Closures To give you some context, we are in the middle of the coronavirus school shutdown. And finally, many districts are having their teachers or their paraprofessionals do professional development. Some folks have said that they are having the paraprofessionals track materials in the online class. Some of them have very close relationships with some of your students or all of your students. Also, the para could participate in a lesson. And some of them came from our office hours and discussions in the Special Educator Academy. The federal IDEA regulations allow appropriately trained and supervised paraprofessionals to be used to assist in the provision of special education and related services to SWDs. Distance learning in Maguire’s district is set to begin Monday. I'll put all those links below. And it would show up on both of your phones. by Heather Nelson. Engagement Plan for Paraprofessionals for Distance Learning . Another idea that someone had in the Academy was to have them, if they have children who they want to keep active, have them do some peer modeling types of activities, particularly if their children are similar ages to your students. “Attend” Professional Development. You could also use Zoom. They could also call into that. Closing the Gaps in Distance Learning: Strategies to Meet Educators’ Toughest Challenges. As teachers of students who are deaf or hard of hearing (TODHH), we are not only working on our own lessons, we are working with general education teachers to ensure that their instructional materials are accessible. (Just be careful about reading books. District Administration Media. “During … distance learning, districts may be temporarily revising that agreement to allow a paraprofessional to assist in phoning parents regarding scheduling IEP [meetings] or their child’s need for technology for access to their distance learning … Whenever possible, schools should include paraprofessionals in staff meetings and other events so they are up to date on all school policies, curriculum, and student needs. Learn how to master Google Classroom, SeeSaw, videoconferencing and other essential homeschooling resources during the COVID-19 outbreak and beyond. If they have a personal laminator and they want to laminate, more power to them! You can even have them put together activities ready for these! Giving comments on their assignments and things like that, I think again, is a really good way for them to keep that interaction going between them and the student. It's set up you can't fast forward or rewind the way you can on the Academy. But I have ideas that don't require that. I hope it's helpful! distance learning iep special education Mar 29, 2020. And as I said, these are going to vary because everybody in the country is varying what they're doing. Support classroom teachers with preparing assignments, content, and activities. Something went wrong. 12.06.2020 - How to Utilize Paraprofessionals during Distance Learning | 9621 One of the things that you might do is make packets of material for paras to make and then have them make them. Now, not every one of these will relate to you. How Paraprofessionals Can Support All Students . Time away from the … And I think having a regular scheduled meeting helps to give some structure to your week. Some of you have students who are not able to use anything online. https://fal.cn/3ado9 Paraprofessionals are such an important part of our special education teams. And the kids love it. Some of these ideas originated with me; some of them came from discussions during Facebook Lives in our free Facebook group at specialeducatorsconnection.com. They may provide extra support during or after a teacher’s lesson. Free Webinars on Behavior, Independent Work and Data, Episode 31 Distance Learning: Making It Work for Special Ed, AFFIRM Modules for Professional Development, 10 Steps to Setting Up a Kickin’ Independent Work System, Pinterest Boards for Independent Work Tasks. New York State P-12 Common Core Learning Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy (CCLS/ ELA). And you know, it's so different everywhere. But there is much that can be done to soften the blow and put … At the same time the students are building language skills. Certainly Velcro is useful. - Maureen Cahoon, special education paraprofessional. Utilizing Instructional Assistants & Paraprofessionals During Distance Learning. At this point, I know many of you have districts that have closed for the rest of the school year. So the first thing that you can do is if your paras have phones that they can use that don't involve, you know, cost to them, or video, then have them check in regularly with your students. And that's a good way just to find out how they're doing. New York State P-12 Common Core Learning Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy (CCLS/ ELA). Distance Learning Toolkit As school communities go back to school or continue learning online due to COVID-19, we want to help teachers, parents, and students feel connected and learn together. So I'll make sure that I put in the post for this podcast episode, I'll put my Pinterest boards for put-in tasks and independent work taEPISODE 33 PARAS IN DISTANCE LEARNING TRANSCRIPTEPISODE 33 PARAS IN DISTANCE LEARNING TRANSCRIPTsks. Ms. Rodriguez is a . Know his learning style, preferences, needs and strengths. Lauren: Paraprofessionals tend to be responsible for the details of what goes on during the day with individual students, whereas teachers are focused on planning and running their classes properly. veteran fifth-grade teacher who — along with her colleague and friend, Ms. Kassab, a literacy specialist — faces the challenges of addressing the . They could model playing a game. The plan was approved via an 8-1 vote shortly after 8 p.m. Monday. What can paras do during this school shutdown? So I'll put that link in the show notes as well as there are the AFFIRM modules, there are the Iris modules from Vanderbilt and there are the Autism Internet Modules. How to Utilize Paraprofessionals during Distance Learning A lot of teachers have been given the responsibility of assigning tasks to their professionals during distance learning. Thanks for spending this time and hopefully I'll see you again next week. Apr 18, 2020 - How to use Classroom Paraprofessionals for special education classrooms during Distance Learning And we have some in which the district is taking charge and saying this is what the paras will do. You know, put it in the mailbox, drop it in the driveway, or things like that. We all recognize just how important paras are in the classroom, but what about during distance learning? Below is a list of educational applications and platforms to help parents, teachers, schools and school systems facilitate student learning and provide social caring and interaction during periods of school closure. They have to watch to the end of the video. Let’s talk cookies. So if they don't have internet or computer, they could still participate. So, I will also put a link to my tutorial on my blog of setting up independent work systems so that you can share that with families if that would be useful. Happy, sad, worried? We've got a thread going, talking specifically about what paras can do. Remember, this is mostly likely a whole new experience for you. Today I want to talk some about paraprofessionals and some things that they can do as part of the distance education effort to help our students if they are still working. And that's the group I want to talk about today because one of the questions that I'm getting a lot on Facebook and in the Academy involves what can we do with paras? It's going to be really easy for the days to run together the longer that we stay home. I will be back hopefully next week with another podcast where I hope to focus on some strategies you can share with families to use in their homework with their students, their homeschooling, not their homework with their students. Referring to Cascadia Montessori’s use of Bloomz during distance learning, Teri Keeton, the Head of School explained, “It made homework submission and student collaboration extremely simple with Student Portfolios—all in one platform.” Amy Mockert, a third-grade teacher at Waters Elementary, found that different parents preferred different modes of communication. Maybe you were into flexible seating in your classroom and don’t mind students laying on the floor during a Zoom meeting. veteran fifth-grade teacher who — along with her colleague and friend, Ms. Kassab, a literacy specialist — faces the challenges of addressing the . The district partners with local businesses where students volunteered to work alongside employees to learn employment skills. When considering distance learning, school districts will need to consider if their student and family population have access to devices and reliable internet access before they go entirely digital. Someone in the Academy actually did this with her general ed teachers. Make videos of themselves reading a book aloud. In this quick episode I’m sharing different ideas and ways to use your assistants to help take some of the workload off you, and have a positive and successful year as a team. Lots of you have been asking for ways you can be using paraprofessionals for distance learning. The podcast for special educators looking for professional and personal growth. Okay, so how do we get our paraprofessionals involved with our distance education is our topic. Probably one of the easiest things we can do is offer a familiar … It calls for teachers to use Monday through Wednesday, Nov. 23-25, to prepare for the shift to remote learning. Or you could have them participate in morning meeting. In its March 24 update, the Minnesota Department of Education provided examples of the kinds of roles education support professionals can take during a distance learning model. Guidance for paraprofessionals on remote learning. It's just the teacher and the student or the students. As part of the school closures, everybody in the country is doing something different. Paras can be added to online classes as co-teacher. Provide the Distance Learning (DL) instructor paraprofessional support by facilitating delivery of materials to and from the students and monitoring student behavior while at the sending site; at the receiving site, teacher assistant acts as a teacher surrogate by facilitating So here are 5 ways to utilize your paraprofessional during distance learning. If they have computers you could use a video check in. Or maybe you believe that students learn best when they’re sitting at a table. Then ask your assistants to be in charge of different subjects/areas and to research activities that you can all do together. Here are practical tools and resources for learning at a distance, in person, or anywhere in between. Regardless of whether you are an educator or a student, there are certain features that you should look for in a distance learning system to get the most out of it. They could do simple tasks like logging onto the computer. And because of that, it can be really comforting, I think, to the students to hear their voice, to see their face. And so we are seeing some districts that are not paying paras, and paras are not expected to work. To give you some context, everybody in the It's just amazing the variety that we're seeing. The “how” of learning is accomplished, as teachers use innovative approaches when planning virtual instruction, which ensure multiple means of student action and expression. I will include some other links in the website for this. We’re using these cookies to find out how you use our site, so we can make it even more relevant to you. So I would love to hear your ideas about what you are having paras do in your district. Or they could do videos where they are reading books to students. How to Utilize Paraprofessionals during Distance Learning. Now if you do these things, save these videos. Apr 3, 2020 - One of the most common questions that I'm being asked right now is how can we be using paraprofessionals during distance learning? But having them be able to pick up a box of materials, put it together into simple tasks, and then drop those tasks off. Terms and Conditions checkbox is required. One of the most common questions that I’m being asked right now is how can we be using paraprofessionals during distance learning? However, if you are looking for some fresh ideas on how to include paras, I’ve got you covered! Paraprofessionals are expected to continue to support teachers in the delivery of instruction. FREE Sunday School Resources. The expectations for distance learning look a little different. And it would save you time because you wouldn't be doing all of that web searching. They may also lead small group activities, allowing the teacher to support students in other ways. Paraprofessionals can assist in providing a variety of activities based on their training and scope of responsibilities. But it will give them a certificate that they can provide to their district. We have others where they are being paid but districts according to some teachers are not putting any expectations on them. Others have to do professional hours and get certificates. Paraprofessionals are hungry to help! They could kind of model how to be a student in, in Zoom or on a web conference. To give you some context, we are in the middle of the coronavirus school shutdown.