What are your needs?
Posted November 12th, 2006 by christy
I'm getting ready to submit an abstract for presentation at the conference. I'd like to know what the burning need is from paraeducators. What is it you'd like to hear about at the conference?
Paras? Paraprofessionals?
I am just curious why we are called Paras and Paraprofessionals. To me that means that this site is also for Paralegals and Paramedics. I know that isn't true but why is it so hard to call us Paraeducators? Is the term offensive to someone? I bet you wouldn't find a Paralegal or a Paramedic who would let anyone get away with calling them what I consider to be such an offensive term! When I signed my contract, it said I was being hired as a Paraeducator. Personally I insist on being called one.
Paras, Professionals
Bravo!
I totally agree. I prefer to be called a Paraeducator and insist on it. However, my supervisor feels that paraprofessional is more appropriate. They both mean the same thing, I just prefer paraeducator. How does everyone else feel?
paras versus paraprofessionals versus paraeducators
When I first started in education as a paraeducator, I was called a teacher's aide. The term "paraeducator" has been adopted by the National Resource Center (NRC) as the term that best describes those individuals who are working in our classrooms in the public schools. "Para" means along side of and by adding the term "educator" we are essentially saying "Working along side of or with an Educator"
The NRC uses the term "paraprofessional" in its title because we address training and development issues across ages ranging from Early Childhood to Adult Services as well as those who are providing related services such as speech therapy assistants.
I agree that the term "Para" is demeaning although I am not sure it is intended in many situations. Whenever I hear it I usually try to clarify or correct the person although sometimes I just consider the source and try to model the correct term.
marilyn
It is about the children.
I am a teacher as far as they are concerned. It seems the adults have the problem with names. I do my best and spend out of my own funds to help my students. I love being an assistant because I have more "tutor" time, then teachers. I do my best if the teacher is in the room or out, but I would prefer to work with the lowest perfoming students in a group of eight. I do not like having the entire room, while the teacher is testing. Testing should be done by special individuals and NOT theclassroom teacher. I am talking about ISAT, DIBELS etc...
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