‘The Paraprofessional Connection’ is a monthly publication oriented to the motivation of educational support staff to grow personally and professionally. Monthly stimulation for positive attitudes, skill building and practical application with students are the key elements of this professional tool for growth.

This affordable resource helps administrators and teachers provide relevant information to their support staff in a non-threatening, easy to read format that is oriented to student success. It is a one-of-a-kind reference for practical application in the daily lives of support staff.

‘The Paraprofessional Connection’ is easily distributed, lends itself to learning community discussions and communicates ideas for effective practice common to the experience of paraprofessionals in any school building.

The following ideas and suggestions are offered to help you explore productive uses of ‘The Paraprofessional Connection’ in your district or your building.

Principals and Staff Development Leaders

  • Use selected articles as a basis for leading structured paraeducator discussion groups.
  • Select and place particularly motivating or informative articles in prominent locations around the building.
  • Share relevant articles with parents interested in paraeducator roles and responsibilities.
  • Share the publication with central office staff responsible for recruiting, interviewing and training support staff.

Teachers

  • Use the contents/concepts as a basis for mentoring new teachers (with little or no experience or training) on issues related to directing paraeducators.
  • Introduce selected articles as a basis for initiating discussions with their paraeducator classroom applicable topics.
  • Creatively use highlighted parts of articles to underscore, acknowledge and reinforce quality paraeducator performances observed.
  • Use selected articles to promote the non-threatening introduction of new ideas for effective practice.

Paraeducators

  • Use the publication as professional reading with the intent to explore and initiate activities related to their personal and professional growth.
  • Use as a basis for developing self-reflection related to selected articles and their classroom application.
  • Use as a basis for promoting journaling activities that document attempts to improve skills and the results achieved.
  • Use to promote collegial discussions around practical/professional performance and ideas for growth.