state and national conferences

Hi brlrdr3, Marilyn Likins, our NRCP Co-director, informed me today that we will begin this summer to post information about next year's national conference in California. 8) ALSO, we're excited about a new resource that many will find useful. In the future, the NRCP will identify the current status of paraprofessional developement by state. This resource will provide a comprehensive list of: (1) State para conferences (2) Standards (3) Certifications (4) State para organization Web addresses, and (5) Who to contact for paraprofessional concerns by state. WOW! 8O Fun things are happening. I hope this upcoming resource will provide you with the information you're looking for. Douglas

I'm glad to have found this message board. I've been reading some of the entries and I can see that we are all in the same boat. I run the computer lab in a primary school. I have been in this school for 12 years. I can't understand why dedication and training doesn't count for any thing in the legislature. I think that the law is a good one but I also believe that we should have been given something for all the training and years that we put in to this school. I went to school when I was pregnant for twins. I was caring 13 pounds of baby and still went to work until the end. After the babies where born I brought them to a baby sitter because I really loved my job and didn't want to give it up and now they say that we will have to go back to school if we want to keep our jobs. That stinks don't you think. My twins are now 3 and a half years old. It is almost time for them to be entering school and I may have to leave if I don't go back to school. I have a big decession to make because I think that it would be really hard to work, go to school, and raise my children too. Does anyone out there feel the same way that I do. I would like to know. lol

:) I also think experience should count for a lot. I would like to know what the conference said about the new law. My district hasn't mentioned anything to the paraprofessionals yet about compliance with the new law.

Hi Pam; Before all is said and done, [in re: to new legislation,] I think we will all be pleasantly surprised that our experience will account for a lot. The reason I am saying this is that the law says that we can take a test to assess our knowledge of, & ability to assist in instructing reading, writing & math. So if you've done any of these activities at school while helping children you may not need to go back to school, You'll know them already and should be able to pass a competency test. Hope this makes sense. Please email me if you need further clarification. Denise

8O Thanks for the encouraging words. I hope you are right. I am praying that you are right. Time will tell. Thanks again. Pam

I am going to the conference and would like to meet some people. I am also looking for something to do on Friday night. Doesn't look like the Dodgers will be in town and not sure I want to see "The Producers" but could be bribed.

Hi, I noticed you are a new paraeducator. Could you tell me what you think helped you get the job? I mean what was the job interview like? What kind of questions did they ask? I haven't worked in 11 years, but I do have an Associates degree. Luckily I got that before I started having my kids. I have 3 kids. Now I could go back to work though. My youngest will be starting Kindergarten. Do you have any tips to help me get a paraeducator job? Renee :P