Transcript Working conditions - Appalachian State University

Announcements and Rules
Everything here is confidential. We will be discussing
personal characteristics. We need to feel safe in being
honest about ourselves and others.
If you feel that you will need food before the class ends,
you are welcome to bring dinner or snacks. It is important
for us to leave the room clean and orderly when we leave.
We will need to wipe tables, throw away our trash, and put
the chairs and tables back in place.
You are expected to attend class unless there is a dire
emergency. This is a discussion and sharing class and if you
are not here, your colleagues will not get the benefit of
your comments and you will miss theirs. It is the policy of
WCC that each person must attend at least 80% of the
classes to successfully complete this class.
You will complete a journal entry each class period.
These entries are for you. They are to help you
remember
--what we have talked about,
--what we have discussed that you have previous
experience or knowledge of,
--questions you may want to think about or bring
up in class
Please feel free to get up and stand, walk, or stretch
whenever you need to. If you need a break before we
take one (about 7:00), please take the break!
Working conditions
Paraeducators in the Schools
Do you sometimes feel as if
your working conditions are
not the best available?
Paraeducator
lounge
Is There a Hierarchy in Your
Classroom and School?
Approaches to Working Together.
PYRAMID: centralized control at a
managerial level; Responsibilities delegated
by the manager
PARTICIPITORY: teacher and
paraeducator contribute in decision making
SITUATIONAL: responsibilities may be
delegated so that team members assume
management for tasks depending on their
skills, interests, and abilities
Is Everything Always Organized?
Yeah, right.
Teaching is not
easy!!!!!!!
Working in the
same room with a
colleague is not
easy!!!!!
Which person is
more organized and
what will be easier
to handle?
Working with others
Several working styles are evident in
many schools and other jobs.
There are many of these lists and
none are exhaustive or exclusive
The Warrior
Typical characteristics
Has high expectation for
self and others
Appears ambitious and
independent
Avoids showing emotion
Thrives on control and
power
Considers options when
making decisions
How to work with a
“warrior.”
The cheerleader
Enjoys people
Loves enthusiasm
Moves constantly
Used open body
language and talks
with people
Enjoys a flexible
work environment
How do we work with a
cheerleader?
The Lamb
Believes in always being nice to people
Avoids conflict at all costs to avoid stress
Listens effectively
Not a risk taker
Goes along with others
Prefers implementing to planning
How can we work with a lamb?
The Human Computer
Appears clean and technical
Prefers planning to implementing
Expresses oneself with little emotion
Organizes work systematically
May avoid eye contact
How can we work with a human computer?
Working Relationships
Stand up and find someone who does
not work in your school
Take two minutes and describe the
best teacher you ever worked with
Your partner will take two minutes
and describe the best teacher she
ever worked with
Working Relationships
Stand up and find someone who does
not work in your school
Take two minutes and describe the
worst teacher you ever worked with
Your partner will take two minutes
and describe the worst teacher she
ever worked with
Qualities of a Good Working
Relationship With Teachers,
Parents and Colleagues
Duties assigned
To improve instruction
and services to
children and youth
Playground duty
Lunchroom duty
Driving a bus
Cleaning up after
students
Cleaning up after
teacher
Evolving Roles of Paraeducators
Grade tests on
classroom work
File formal tests in
the office
Monitor tests
Administer and
interpret results
of informal tests
Fill out checklists
Discuss results
with teachers
Evolving Roles of Paraeducators
Observe teachers
instruct students
Deliver instruction
with teachers
Monitor students work
Plan activities with
teachers
Assess the effects of
instruction
Guide practice of skills
Evolving Roles of Paraeducators
Not involved in IEP
meetings
Not involved in
carrying out
instruction related to
IEP goals
May prepare materials
for student
instruction
May attend meetings
May give input to teachers
for meetings
Implement IEP goals in
instruction under
supervision
Makes suggestions about
changes in materials and
approaches
Who can help?
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
Be proactive not reactive
Begin with the end in mind
Put first things first; Develop habits of
personal management
Think win/win!
Seek first to understand and then to be
understood
Synergize
Sharpen the saw
Journal Writing
what we have talked about,
what we have discussed that you have
previous experience or knowledge of,
questions you may want to think about
or bring up in class