Computer Labs

P Good morning I'm a para who works without direct supervision. Our lab has 30 computers in it and we run the program CCC which is a reading and math program. I have about 500 children who come to the lab every three days. I love my job. We also do research. I am a little worried about the test that we will have to be taking. I hope I can pass it. Pam

I also work without direct supervision. I run our elementary computer lab. I had 546 students from Pre-K through 5th grade last year. There were 28 classes and each class came to me one time a week for 45 minutes. I teach them how to run a computer and its' programs. We do research also. I have been in there for 2 years now and thoroughly enjoy it. Before I went into the lab we did not have a curriculum in there at all. The children used CD-Rom software exclusively. Through Technology classes I was taking from our Regional Education Service Center, I realized that we should be doing so much more according to our state (Texas). I visited with our principal and she pretty much gave me free reign to design and implement a program. It is amazing to see what the children can do. I do, however, feel like other paraprofessionals now that the government is deciding we should be better educated. Rather an insult after 10 years in the field.

I am an Elementary Computer Lab manager and have been for eight years. I am also an LPN and have kept my license current. As lab manager, I run the CCC program also. It is a great program! I am concerned about certification and wonder if my LPN license would suffice for particular parts of the cert. program, such as the confidentiality part, to name just one? I have also done many CEU's that pertain to education, such as ADD/ADHD, OCD, and many more. If anyone has any info regarding this please let me know. Thanks Kathy :?

FYI, I just found out from our local AEA that with my 1 year of LPN training I have 3 options for Para Cert. 1. Take 3, 2 credit hour specific courses outlined by the AEA (96Hrs) 2. Get enough hours to equal 2 years of college. 3. Complete testing through the state. This has yet to be developed. It will look something like the ACT's according to what this local AEA person has heard! It seems to me that my CEU's over the years to maintain my LPN license would and should account for something. Anyone know about this? Thanks, Kathy :?

Hi Kathy I haven't taken a test yet. The state hasn't finished making it yet. Funny how we have a deadline but they don't. Doesn't make any sense to me. If you have any questions about CCC let me know. Iwould be happy to share my experences and my knowledge with who ever needs it. Pam

Hi, I am also a para who works without supervision. I am a job coach working with special ed students on their job sites. I am also responsible for the vocational testing that is done before the ARD's. :D Last Friday I attended a workshop at our local region center on the Para Certification. We will have to attend 3 days of training- 6 hours each day. Eighteen hours in total. And at the end we will have the current certification. The exciting part for me is that I was notified last Thursday that my school district approved for me to continue the training and become certified to train the other para-professionals. 8) Cheryl

If you are the "teacher" of computer classes, science labs, music, art,; but are considered support or an aide, how are we then grouped? Seems that if you aren't assisting a teacher in a classroom, then there should be another pay scale provision; especially, if you create your own curriculum/lesson plans, attend workshops and are in charge of teaching all the students in the school. Not to mention other "hats" you are asked to wear...such as writing out excuse reminders to be sent home for all the teachers, having morning car arrival duty all year, collecting lunch money and various forms from teachers and delivering such items to proper places. I started my job 7 years ago b/c of my love of children and watching them learn. We've experienced a change in chain of command in the last 3 years. Seems "big brother" is always watching us. Anyone with similiar situation?