EDPY470

.docx

School

Athabasca University, Athabasca *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

470

Subject

Psychology

Date

Dec 6, 2023

Type

docx

Pages

2

Uploaded by GrandGalaxy12770

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Discussion 1: Topic 1: Consultation Models and Professional Practices Area: Collaborating with Paraprofessionals Paraprofessionals have an essential responsibility in supporting the growth and learning of children, as well as assisting educators, professionals, and specialists. Their ability to maintain a positive and enjoyable learning environment within the classroom is genuinely remarkable. As an integral part of the classroom team, it is necessary to recognize and appreciate their contributions. According to Kampwirth and Powers (2015), one way to achieve this is by implementing the following points: 1. Acknowledge their contributions. 2. Ask them about their ideas for improving the classroom or a student’s performance, and really listen to them. 3. Provide written plans for their daily or weekly activities. 4. Set aside some uninterrupted time to consult about the plans and how things are going. 5. Provide ongoing professional training. 6. Entrust them with important activities (small-group or one-on-one instruction) once sufficient training has been provided. 7. Discuss their career goals with them; many paraprofessionals have the potential to become wonderful teachers, school psychologists, or counsellors if the career path could be made more tangible. 8. Advocate for them to get livable wages and benefits. I chose this item to support paraprofessionals who are often undervalued. Prioritizing ways to show support, advocate for, and appreciate paraprofessionals is crucial to maintaining a productive team dynamic. Additionally, sharing this information can help educators, professionals, and specialists understand how to foster effective collaboration. It can also empower current and future paraprofessionals to speak up for their needs. In addition to the information provided in the textbook, Gerzel-Short et al. (2018) emphasize the importance of making paraprofessionals feel welcome when collaborating with them. This can be achieved by incorporating their strengths and interests into daily tasks, providing them with personal space and materials, remembering their birthdays, inviting them to school or student meetings, keeping them updated on school news, and giving them student or curriculum updates. Respect for the paraprofessional's background, interests, and hobbies is crucial to successful collaboration. Teachers can plan for meaningful involvement by learning about the para's skills and interests and asking open-ended questions to create a collaborative relationship (Gerzel- Short et al., 2018). Both of these sources are highly reliable and credible. They provide valuable information that students can use in the EDPY/PSYC470 course, covering a wide range of topics. These resources also encourage conversation and self-advocacy. We must recognize the significance of these key individuals to support them effectively.
Gerzel‐Short, L., Conderman, G., & DeSpain, S. N. (2018). Supporting Paraprofessionals: Tips for Enhanced Collaboration. Kappa Delta Pi Record , 54 (4), 152–157. https://doi.org/10.1080/00228958.2018.1515542 Kampwirth, T., & Powers, K. (2015). Collaborative Consultation in the Schools: Effective Practices for Students with Learning and Behavioral Problems (5th ed.). Pearson. Discussion Response: Why did you like or not like the posting? How can the content be used, and by whom (if not already identified in the original posting)? Hello there, to continue this chain, allow me to introduce myself. I am an Early Learning Behavior Specialist and have worked as a Therapeutic Assistant for Behavior and Occupational Therapy in a school setting supporting children with diverse needs. First, thank you for sharing the informative video. What stood out to me was the emphasis on seeing the person beyond their job title, taking into account their strengths, experiences, and background knowledge. This approach can lead to positive working relationships and stronger collaboration within the team. Furthermore, I completely agree that valuing each paraprofessional is crucial in improving collaboration and reducing staff turnover. This video is definitely worth sharing to support paraprofessionals and educations
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