Organization Station-- Communicating with Paraprofessionals

Paraprofessionals are an essential part of the educational team for many of the classrooms we coach. In addition to providing instruction and support to students, they are a partner to the teacher in helping the classroom run smoothly throughout the day. We are often asked to provide guidance to teachers on the best ways to manage paraprofessionals. The key to successful paraprofessional management is communication!

Unfortunately, paraprofessionals are often not provided with extensive training prior to starting in the classroom. They are also not mind readers. Therefore, they rely on the classroom teacher to provide them with explicit instructions on what is expected throughout the day. If this communication is not provided, it can lead to inconsistencies with instruction, behavior, and even safety. Today's Organization Station will provide some practical tips on Communicating with Paraprofessionals.

Schedules
Each paraprofessional should be provided with a daily schedule which provides them with information on where they are needed and which students they are responsible for during this time. Teachers should cross check their own schedule with their paraprofessionals to make sure all students are accounted for throughout the day. If paraprofessionals do not receive copies of the lesson plans each week, a basic outline of activities can be included in the schedule. If there are specific guidelines or procedures you would like your paraprofessional to follow, then this should also be included. Special Education classroom can often be stressful which makes it easy for everyone to forget even if you have provided training or have had a discussion related to what is expected. It can benefit everyone to have this information in writing.

Jackie Vollmer
Driscoll Elementary, Centerville

Carrie Prickett
Jane Chance Elementary, Miamisburg

Communication Corner
Designate an area of the classroom to post all team communication. Important elements of the communication corner include calendars, important reminders, and staff schedules. The communication corner is also a great place to include a "parking lot" where staff can write down questions or concerns to be addressed when students are not present. This reduces interruptions to instruction throughout the day and provides a platform to ensure all staff concerns are addressed. Schedule a designated time to address parking lot issues. This can be a great place to include schedule discrepancies at the start of the year as well.

Jackie Vollmer
Driscoll Elementary, Centerville

Ashley Minnich
Kleptz ELC, Northmont

Rylie Jarrett
Stevenson Elementary, Mad River

Jamie Minnish
Prass Elementary, Kettering

Visual Reminders 
Visual supports are not just for the students! Post-its and signs posted in relevant areas of the classroom can be a quick informational resource to reference throughout the day. Having predictable visual reminders can also be a helpful way to communicate information in a way that limits distractions especially when staff is in and out of the classroom throughout the day.

Jamie Minnish
Prass Elementary, Kettering

Jamie Minnish
Prass Elementary, Kettering

Paraprofessional Materials
When paraprofessionals are responsible for providing direct instruction, provide them with a designated area to keep their materials. This provides them with the freedom to access and review their materials and gives them ownership over their lessons. If paraprofessionals do not have time allotted before or after students are present, consider providing them with a short amount of time to organize their own materials to help lessons run efficiently and to prevent students from needing to wait at the start of a lesson.

Jackie Vollmer
Driscoll Elementary, Centerville

Mandy Whitfield
MCESC-Learning Center East

Jamie Minnish
Prass Elementary, Kettering

Material Prep
Paraprofessionals are often a huge help with preparing materials for upcoming lessons and activities. Typically, paraprofessionals and teachers have varying schedules throughout the day so it can be hard to communicate while students are present what needs to be prepped. Create a material prep station that can be accessed by all staff at any time. Use labeled bins, drawers, or folders to organize materials and to outline what needs to be done for each item. Paraprofessionals can help with grading, sorting, cutting, laminating, copying, and filing materials. If paraprofessionals don't have a designated prep time throughout the day, communicate when it would be best for them to work on these tasks. If they have a student absent during their assigned time together or if you have an activity planned where you need less support, then this could be a good time for them to prep.

Lindsey Woods
Fairborn Primary, Fairborn

Rylie Jarrett

Stevenson Elementary, Mad River

For more great ideas on managing paraprofessionals found throughout the Miami Valley check out our previous post:

Organization Station-- Paraprofessionals