This school year began with substitutes for all three of my paraprofessionals. I was delighted with the staff our sub services sent me. I wanted to keep them all! Now my new hires are begining to arrive. Needless to say, I am spending a lot of time training. The most important thing I say is that these students are kids first--no matter how significant the disability.
Kids first. What does that look like? Just like any neurotypical kids, my students have feelings, hopes, anxieties, and potential. They get tired, hungry, excited, and scared. They want to be loved, accepted, praised, and known. They are kids.
The way we look at students with disabilities will impact how we treat them; what our expectations are; what we teach them, how we respond to them, and how we portray them to others.
Look for the child within. Let them change your thinking--and your teaching.
More good things ahead!
Jean
Kids first. What does that look like? Just like any neurotypical kids, my students have feelings, hopes, anxieties, and potential. They get tired, hungry, excited, and scared. They want to be loved, accepted, praised, and known. They are kids.
The way we look at students with disabilities will impact how we treat them; what our expectations are; what we teach them, how we respond to them, and how we portray them to others.
Look for the child within. Let them change your thinking--and your teaching.
More good things ahead!
Jean