A Teacher’s Guide to Working with Paraeducators and Other Classroom Aides

Paraeducators, also known as teacher aides, teaching assistants, and instructional assistants-are playing an increasingly important role in schools. Most teachers, however, have never been trained to work effectively with other adults in their classrooms. In A Teacher’s Guide to Working with Paraeducators and Other Classroom Aides, Jill Morgan and Betty Y. Ashbaker provide straightforward advice and focused activities that can help forge a productive working relationship between teachers and paraeducators. The authors cover key topics related to working with and supervising paraeducators, including how to assign responsibilities, communicate, monitor quality of work, provide on-the-job training, and create a feedback loop. Tips from practicing teachers explain ways to find the time to effectively supervise paraeducators. The authors discuss how the supervisory techniques involved in working with paraeducators are similar to-and different from-those that teachers use with students. The authors give concise suggestions for translating the information to the your classroom; fill-in-the-blank forms outline self-directed steps for improving in select areas. As both a practical workbook and a thoughtful reflection of the authors’ experiences in working with teachers and paraeducators, this book is an indispensable resource for any teacher who wants to create a successful instructional team.