Paraeducator Case Summary

Paraeducator Case Scenario This setting stages a classroom full of different students with different learning abilities. Four of the 30 students struggle with learning disabilities and another two have emotional disabilities. Into the story comes Ms. Neeser, a first year special education teacher. Along for the ride is her paraeducator, Ms. Taylor, who has worked for this school over ten years. The conflict from the two characters drives from the lack of respect on both sides of the situation. In a difficult situation such as this, how can a teacher address their paraeducator? By looking into collaboration, the roles for both parties, proper communication, supervision, and conflict resolution, one can see how a situation like this can be …show more content…
As the teacher, there are five roles they should fulfill. A teacher should provide direction in relation to the tasks and responsibilities. They should create detailed schedules including accomplishments and goals for the paraeducator to reach. Teachers are also models for the para’s. As the teacher watches the paraeducator work, she can be reviewing her actions to make sure the students’ are receiving the care they deserve. Finally, it is the teachers job to provide constructive feedback for the paraeducator to be challenged with. This can be awkward in Ms. Neeser’s situation. She has less experience. She is new to the area. The woman that is supposed to be respecting her, might know more about the class than the teacher herself. How can Ms. Neeser accept this respect? Though she may feel undermined, she must take on the role of the teacher. She needs to take the education she has worked for and build it to create a healthy environment for her students (Sims, Shooter & Lane, …show more content…
Part of their position includes assisting the students. With complete patience, they provide one on one attention, group work, and even partial class assistance. They are an extra set of eyes and ears that students can use to their advantage when they may need further explanation on a lesson. Paraeducators are also there to assist teachers. With the proper education, they may engage in different situations. Paraeducators may collect data which they can report to their teacher at the end of the day. They must fully understand the importance of that data though. With the teacher’s help, paraeducators may assist in lesson planning. Overall though, they need to understand and live out confidentiality with their students, refer different concerns they hold to their supervising teacher, and be an organized team player. These qualities create a paraeducator that will drive a classroom to success instead of in the ground (Sims, Shooter & Lane,