Paraeducators: Assisting and Supporting Instruction
Paraeducators increasingly play important roles in assisting and supporting teachers as they provide high-quality instruction. In many cases, paraeducators help support students who require accommodation and/or modifications in order to be successful in school. In this course, you’ll learn about the roles of the paraeducator and the use of accommodations and classroom modifications.
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Learning Objectives
- Understand the roles of the paraeducator in assisting and supporting instruction
- Explore the use of best practices for implementing accommodations and modifications in the classroom
Specs
| Intended Audience | K-12 Staff |
| Languages | English (US), Spanish (US), Spanish (European), Spanish (Mexican), French (Canada), French (European), Arabic, Chinese (Simplified-Mandarin), Chinese (Traditional-Mandarin), Filipino Tagalog, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazilian), Portuguese (European), Russian, Thai |
| Accessibility | Audio, Video Interactive, Transcript, Closed Captions |
| Course Features | Interactive Modules, Knowledge-Checks, Assessment |
Key Questions
A paraeducator is an educational professional who works alongside teachers to support students, especially those with diverse learning needs. Paraeducators may also be referred to as paraprofessionals, teacher assistant/aides, or instructional aides. They assist with classroom management, provide individualized support, help implement accommodations and modifications, and ensure all students have access to quality instruction. Paraeducators play a vital role in creating an inclusive and effective learning environment.
What roles do paraeducators play in supporting teachers and students in the classroom?Paraeducators play a crucial role in assisting teachers and providing support to students with diverse needs. Paraeducators take on roles, including helping with accommodations and modifications to ensure high-quality instruction.
How do paraeducators assist with differentiated instruction and accommodations in the classroom?Paraeducators play a key role in supporting differentiated instruction, which tailors teaching strategies to meet the diverse learning needs of students. Differentiation often involves using multiple teaching methods simultaneously in one classroom. Paraeducators help implement accommodations by providing personalized support to students, ensuring that all learners have access to effective instruction.
Why is it important for students to become self-advocates in the classroom?In upper elementary school, students start to recognize how accommodations can support their learning. Encouraging students to become self-advocates is essential, as it empowers them to ask for the help or accommodation they need to succeed. This skill fosters independence and helps students take an active role in their education, ultimately contributing to their long-term academic success.
Sample Video Transcript
Paraeducators work as a part of a student support team that typically includes – the paraeducator, who assists and supports teachers, principals, and other certified or licensed staff with instruction and other school-related tasks; the supervising teacher, who is a licensed paraeducator responsible for classroom instruction and directing the work of paraeducators; and the administrator, most often the principal, who is responsible for communicating and implementing the district’s educational policies and guidelines. The team might also include other service providers, such as occupational therapists, mental health counselors, speech therapists, and other paraeducators.
The goal of this course is to help paraeducators understand the roles they might in assisting and supporting teachers as they provide high-quality instruction to students with diverse needs. In this course, we’ll explore the roles of the paraeducators, accommodation and modification basics, and accommodation and modification best practices. So, if you’re ready, let’s begin.
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