20 Ways to Make Your Life Easier When Working with Paraprofessionals
by Melissa L. Trautman (May/June 03)

Paraprofessionals are a vital part of any school system. Management and scheduling of paraprofessionals can cause headaches for even the most experienced teacher! Here are some quick and easy ideas to help teachers start the school year, build positive relationships with their paraprofessionals and improve communication.

WELCOME TO THE BUILDING! MAKE YOUR PARAPROFESSIONALS PART OF THE STAFF.

• Make sure that your paraprofessionals have a desk or work area in the school. This will allow them to feel like part of the staff and it will give them a place to keep their personal belongings.
  
  
• Invite your paraprofessionals to staff meetings that are required of the teachers. Post trainings and conferences that might be of interest to them.
  
  
• Develop a job description for them to keep. Let them know what duties and responsibilities are expected of them.
  
  
• Allow your paraprofessionals to be part of team meetings for the child they work with. Paraprofessional often can provide insight into the child since they spend the most time with them.
  
  
• Make sure that all teachers and staff in the building call the paraprofessionals by their title. Paraprofessionals should be addressed the same way as teachers.
  
  
• Communicate with your paraprofessional about the happenings in your school. Let them know of new projects, activities, or programs that are being started. Route daily announcements or weekly newsletters so they also get the information.
  
  
• Before school starts, show your paraprofessionals around the building and in your classroom. Let them know where all supplies and equipment are located.

WHAT'S YOUR STORY? GET TO KNOW YOUR PARAPROFESSIONALS.

• Invite your paraprofessionals out to a social event before school starts. This will allow you to get to know each other in a social situation and it also breaks the ice between everyone.
  
  
• Learn about your paraprofessional's family, likes and dislikes. Build a basis for communication by talking about interests in their life.
  
  
• Be open to suggestions and ideas that paraprofessionals may provide.
  
  
• Know your paraprofessionals strengths and weaknesses. Give a quick survey and interview to let them share with you what they do well. Try to use their strengths when they are workings with students.
  
  
• Remember special days - their birthdays, anniversaries or anything else that is important to them. Take the time to thank them for all of the hard work that they do.

QUICK IDEAS FOR BETTER COMMUNICATION

• Have weekly meetings with your staff. This will allow you to update everyone on changes in programs, brainstorm solutions to problems and stay in contact with one another.
  
  
• Provide a box with notepaper addressed to you in the break room or lounge. Paraprofessionals can use this to jot down notes or questions to put in your mailbox.
  
  
• Provide training every couple of weeks or every month. Things change quickly when working with children with special needs. This will give you an opportunity to provide continuous training and address any issues that might come up.
  
  
• Create program books for your students. Include specific instructions for the paraprofessionals or any substitute that may work with that child. Some suggestions for what to include in the book are the child's IEP goals and objectives, health information, strength and weaknesses of the student, programs that are in place for the student, behavior management techniques, data sheets and daily schedules.
  
  
• Provide a support system for your paraprofessionals. Inform them of the proper channels that they need to go through if they have questions or concerns.
  
  
• Organize paraprofessional meetings where they have the chance to get together and talk. This may be with or without the supervising teacher. Invite other paraprofessionals from other schools or just keep it simple with the paraprofessionals in your building.
  
  
• Provide breaks for your paraprofessionals. Develop a schedule that feels comfortable to both the teacher and the paraprofessional.
  
  
• Last of all, have fun! Enjoy the time that you spend with your paraprofessionals and your students.

Melissa L. Trautman is a master's degree student in the Autism/Asperger Syndrome program at the University of Kansas. Previously, Melissa taught in Lincoln, Nebraska as an elementary special education teacher.

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