5 Ways to Support Teaching Assistants in Special Education

I am excited to introduce this week’s guest blogger, Jennifer from Sped Prep Academy. She wrote a previous blog post about paraprofessionals, and is back for more information about teaching assistants!

Have you ever wondered…what in the world would I do without my assistants? Actually, you have probably experienced not having a full staff to run a special education department and therefore know how incredibly challenging it can be.

The absence of paraprofessionals leaves special educators, not to mention students, with a void. The invaluable support they give, from providing personalized instruction and behavior management, to assisting with daily living skills and facilitating smooth transitions, becomes glaringly apparent when they are not there.

Which begs the question…Why do paraprofessionals leave?

If you guessed inadequate compensation, you would be correct. Not being paid a decent salary is the number one reason our teaching assistants are leaving us. But because we don’t have access to the piggy bank, let’s move on to number two.

Lack of Support

It’s understandable, right? All employees require and deserve meaningful support to excel in their roles and contribute effectively to their organization. By providing them with the necessary resources, mentorship, and recognition, you will be fostering a positive work environment and ensuring their professional growth and success….which leads to greater retention.

To ensure your staff members’ success and job satisfaction, providing comprehensive support is essential. In this blog post, we will explore 5 types of support and strategies to fit it into the school day.

1. Professional Development for Teaching Assistants

Professional development is essential for empowering paraprofessionals with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their roles. Workshops, training sessions, webinars, and access to relevant resources provide opportunities for continuous learning. Topics can include understanding IEPs, behavior management techniques,  differentiating instruction, fostering a positive learning environment, and using assistive technology effectively.

By investing in their professional growth, paraprofessionals will gain the confidence and expertise to better support the diverse needs of students. Teachers and teaching assistants can do professional development together!

2. Mentorship and Coaching

You don’t have to be the only one providing the support. Pairing new or less experienced paraprofessionals with experienced colleagues fosters a culture of support and collaboration. Mentorship allows for the exchange of insights, guidance on challenging situations, and sharing of best practices. Experienced mentors can offer valuable advice, help navigate the dynamics of the classroom, and provide emotional support, helping paraprofessionals adapt smoothly to their roles and build confidence in their abilities.

3. Regular Check-Ins and Feedback

Scheduled check-in meetings with you will provide valuable opportunities for paraprofessionals to discuss their experiences, successes, and challenges. These meetings allow supervisors to offer constructive feedback, address any concerns, and provide recognition for their efforts. Regular feedback helps paraprofessionals identify areas for growth and improvement, leading to continuous teaching assistants development.

Use this paraprofessional training manual if you need more support in your classroom!

4. Emotional Support for Teaching Assistants

Working in special education settings can be emotionally demanding, and teaching assistants may encounter challenging situations or have to navigate complex emotional dynamics with students. Providing emotional support and a safe space for paraprofessionals to debrief and express their feelings is crucial for their well-being and job satisfaction. As their supervisor, offer empathy, active listening, and guidance on managing stress and emotional challenges effectively.

Sometimes, emotional support can be provided in the form of a small token of appreciation…a drink, cookies, lunch, a gift…anything that will show them that there will be bad days but you respect their hard work.

5. Access to Resources

Equipping teaching assistants with easy access to resources and materials relevant to their roles enhances their preparedness and ability to support students effectively. This includes access to curriculum guides, teaching aids, behavior intervention plans, communication tools, and any other resources needed to cater to students’ individual needs. By providing comprehensive resources, paraprofessionals can plan and implement interventions that positively impact student learning and development.

So how do we fit these things into our busy days?

First, you must recognize that it’s not a “if we have time, we’ll support the staff”, but instead a “we HAVE to find the time to support the staff.”

And you can do this through a variety of measures. 

• One of the easiest, and most effective, ways to support your staff is to provide them with a good role model. Show them what it is you want them to be doing instead of just telling them. Never expect one of your paras to complete tasks you are not willing to complete yourself. 

• Take advantage of PD days. Offer workshops, training sessions, and resources focused on inclusive education practices, behavior management strategies, effective communication skills, and other relevant topics to enhance their skills and knowledge on the calendar. Be intentional about what you need them to learn.
• Take advantage of down time. There will be days when students are absent or are involved in other activities that leave your staff with little to do. Have a list of short PD sessions you can quickly teach on.
• Facilitate mentorship pairings, assigning experienced paraprofessionals or themselves as mentors, and designating regular meeting times for discussions and guidance. 
• Integrate quick check-in sessions into the daily schedule. Whether it’s weekly or monthly, make sure you are checking in with your staff.
• Foster a supportive culture by encouraging open communication and providing emotional support within the school day.
• Ensure easy access to resources and materials by organizing a centralized digital repository and/or physical resource library that your paraprofessionals can utilize at any time.

Conclusion

By adopting innovative and thoughtful strategies to boost the support provided to the teaching assistants in your department, you can easily foster a dynamic and nurturing team culture that empowers paraprofessionals to flourish in their roles. And by intentionally making sure it happens, you will not only retain good staff but also contribute to the overall success of the special education program.

Need some more info, read this post!

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