The Para Place

Betty Montgomery

nrcpadmin — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 22:36:25 -0700

Betty Montgomery, Staff Development Specialist and Executive Vice-President of the SEIU Local 500 discusses paraprofessionals and why she enjoys attending the National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals Conference:

Thanks Betty!

2009 Conference Information

Paraeducator on Survivor

nrcpadmin — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:33:57 -0700

If you are looking for someone to cheer for on the television show Survivor this season, consider throwing your support behind Susie Smith. Her official bio lists her occupation as a hairdresser, but in an article titled, 'Survivor' mom back in Iowa from Gabon we learn that Susie is a paraeducator in a resource room in an elementary school:

Smith, who also works as a para-educator in the resource room at Lincoln Elementary School, said she tried out for the show because she wanted to achieve something for herself while showing her students and others that all it takes to transform life is to try.

read more

Para Post: A Newsletter for Wisconsin Paraprofessionals

nrcpadmin — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 21:47:35 -0700

You probably already know about our newsletter, but there are also a number of other excellent newsletters that focus on paraprofessional issues. As a new feature, we will be sharing with you some of the content in paraeducator newsletters around the country.

First up is the Para Post from the State of Wisconsin Paraprofessional Website. Here is a look at the three issues they published during the last school year:

The Spring 2008 Issue has some great advice on dealing with behavior problems in class, including an articles on monitoring and recording behavior, aggression, and the ABC's of behavior.
The focus of the Winter 2008 Issue is Diversity and includes information on insensitive behavior and supporting ESL students and minority groups.
The Fall 2007 Issue includes some helpful tips as you begin the school year and includes a chart with information on what paraeducators may and may not do.

In addition to the articles noted above, each issue also contains links to helpful resources and a "Healthy You Corner" with tips and advice on taking care of yourself.

We are looking forward to new editions of the Para Post for the 2008-2009 school year. If you know of a paraprofessional newsletter, please let us know about it in the comments- thanks!

2009 National Conference in Salt Lake City

nrcpadmin — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 21:29:58 -0700

In case you missed our last newsletter, the 2009 National Conference for Paraprofessionals will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah from April 30th to May 2nd. More details are available on the conference page including:

Call for Papers- Submit your proposal online by October 17th
Online Conference Registration Date- Register today for special early bird pricing.
Hotel and Travel Information
Exhibitor Application

Also, if you are wondering what there is to do in Salt Lake City, visit the Things to Do in Salt Lake City page.
Look for more information coming soon!

Words of Wisdom from Anna Lou Pickett

nrcpadmin — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 21:48:24 -0700

We have a number of videos from the 2008 National Conference that we will be sharing in the next few weeks. To begin with, here is a short 2-minute clip of Ann Lou Pickett, the founder of the National Resources Center for Paraprofessionals. Anna Lou shares how she became interested in paraprofesssionals, some of the early lessons she learned and the important roles that teachers and paraprofessionals play in the classroom. Enjoy!

Dalton Sherman- I Believe in Me, Do You Believe in Me?

nrcpadmin — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:26:04 -0700

This is an outstanding video to watch as you begin the school year:

From Dalton Sherman:

There's probably easier ways to make a living, but I want to tell you, on behalf of all of the students in Dallas, we need you. We need you now more than ever.

Additional Links:

Teacher Assistant Nominated for State Award

nrcpadmin — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:20:50 -0700

From Ocala, Florida, a well done article on Katrina Lamar, a 24-year veteran teacher assistant who was selected as Marion County's School-Related Person of the Year. From Superintendent of Schools Jim Yancey:

"In addition to her family and professional commitments, and as a breast cancer survivor, she helps counsel others facing difficult times with this disease and the uncertainties of the future."

First-grade teacher Cecilia Raid wrote:

"In short, Mrs. Lamar makes our lives easier and happier here at Reddick-Collier by just being her wonderful caring self... We couldn't do it without her, and we don't want to try."

Read the rest of the article here: Teacher assistant nominated for state award

Speech from the Educational Support Professional of the Year in Iowa

nrcpadmin — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 21:51:44 -0700

A video on YouTube of Sheryl Traetow, a paraeducator at Hansen Elementary School in Cedar Falls, Iowa accepting the Education Support Professional of the Year Award from the Iowa State Education Association.

NRCP Website- What is Available, Where we are Going and How it Can Help You Presentation

nrcpadmin — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 16:28:36 -0700

Here is another presentation from today- this one goes through each of the sections of our website and gives a little bit of insight into some of the projects we are planning on working on in the coming months. Enjoy!