Hey there, fellow educators! Let’s talk about the superheroes of our classrooms – the paraprofessionals! We absolutely CAN NOT do our jobs without these amazing individuals who assist our students and us in the self-contained classroom. We all know that finding top-notch paraprofessionals has become quite the challenge lately. That’s why it’s more important than ever to establish positive and strong relationships with our paraprofessional partners. Setting the stage for positive interactions and expectations will help during the year when challenges arise. In this blog post, I’ve got five easy ways to help you create a successful special education team that will hopefully last for years to come. Let’s dive in and build those bonds!
Provide a paraprofessional handbook
A paraprofessional handbook is a valuable resource that most of our superhero team members will truly appreciate! This handbook acts as our go-to guide, outlining expectations, preferred teaching strategies, and an overview of each student in our care. It’s like having a secret weapon to tackle issues that might pop up throughout the school year, such as personal phone use or tardiness.
If you’re looking for an awesome paraprofessional handbook, I highly recommend the one from Velcro and Visuals. It’s got everything you need to set the stage for a successful partnership. From roles and responsibilities to behavior guidelines and confidentiality rules, this handbook has got it all! Click here to check it out and arm your team with the tools for success!
Gift a "Welcome Back" pack
Back-to-school time can be quite the whirlwind! But fear not, I’ve got a fantastic idea to help you kick things off on the right foot – a “welcome back” pack for your paraprofessionals! It’s a small yet thoughtful gesture that shows them how much you appreciate their hard work and support.
Fill up the pack with survival essentials like yummy chocolates to satisfy those sweet cravings, aspirin to tackle any occasional headaches, gum for a quick refresher, and breath mints for that extra boost of freshness. Trust us; this little pack of goodness will bring smiles and set the tone for a fantastic start to the school year! Let’s show our superheroes some love! Click the button below to join the free resource library and download “welcome back” pack labels.
Hold team meetings
You’re absolutely right; finding extra time during our contract hours can be a challenge, but believe us, it’s worth every effort! Holding team meetings with your paraprofessionals is a game-changer that can foster collaboration and boost our superhero powers in the classroom. So, let’s make it happen!
Here’s a little trick that might just work – talk to your principal about compensating your paras for an extra 30 minutes before or after school. It’s a win-win, as it allows for valuable meeting time without adding extra pressure.
Now, let’s get to the fun part – the meetings! You can schedule them bi-weekly, monthly, or even quarterly, depending on your needs. During your first meeting, create some awesome NORMS together. These are simple guidelines that set the stage for open communication, positivity, and conflict resolution. Examples might include being open to feedback, staying positive even in challenging situations, and openly talking through any conflicts.
Start the meeting on a high note with a positive story or experience to celebrate. Then, dive into the nitty-gritty of problem-solving and brainstorming. Here’s where GLOWS and GROWS come in handy! Highlight the things that went well (GLOWS) and discuss areas where there’s room for growth (GROWS). It’s all about learning and growing together!
Oh, and here’s a bonus – use this time to answer any questions your paraprofessionals may have and provide some hands-on teaching, modeling, or rehearsal of new behavior strategies. It’s a perfect opportunity to support one another and take our superhero team to new heights!
Encourage mental health days
This job is undoubtedly challenging, and we all experience those moments when we feel a little burnt out. Guess what? Your paraprofessionals might be feeling the same way too. So, let’s take a step back and prioritize our well-being.
I’m a huge advocate for mental health days, and you should be too! They are like little self-care escapes that recharge our superhero powers. So, go ahead and schedule some well-deserved mental health days for yourself once in a while. Take that time to relax, recharge, and come back even stronger!
But here’s the icing on the cake – encourage your amazing paraprofessionals to do the same! Lead by example, and they’ll see how important it is to prioritize self-care. Encourage them to take turns and schedule their own mental health days when they need it. A little break can work wonders for their well-being and overall happiness.
Of course, this tip comes with a little asterisk – it’s best if you don’t have any tardiness or frequent absence issues in your team. But if everything’s smooth sailing, then let’s make mental health days a wonderful part of our special education journey. Happy minds, happy team! 🌞
Ask them to fill out a survey
After a particularly challenging day or to brighten their spirits, a little treat can work wonders. And guess what? I’ve got a fun idea that will make it even more special!
I absolutely adore knowing all the favorite things of my paraprofessionals because that way, I can surprise them with treats they truly love! So, I created a fantastic Paraprofessional Survey just for this purpose. It’s like a magical map to their favorite coffee orders, candies, and more – perfect for sprinkling joy into their day!
But wait, there’s more! Paraprofessional Day, which happens at the beginning of April, is an excellent opportunity to go the extra mile and show how much we appreciate their dedication and hard work. So, let’s make it special with an extra treat just for them!
Want to access this fabulous survey? Click here to sign up for my free resource library, and let the treat planning begin!