Confidence interrupted

School starts next week. How am I feeling about this? I am resigned to the fact it is going to happen.

It is not that I don't want to work. I've always been a hard worker. I will do my job. I will do what I need to do to protect myself and help the students. Even so, I fear hearing the news that someone has contracted COVID and is seriously ill. I know many of us are afraid.

Normally, when I start the school year, I brace myself. I rustle up my strength for the first few weeks, when I need to enforce rules and get students ready to learn. This year, though, I can't be the person who projects that image of confidence. This year, I will let that job fall to the people in charge. 

I am praying for a good outcome.

What is ABA?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is way to break down tasks into small incremental steps for a disabled child. It is a tool that uses positive reinforcement to achieve desired behaviors.

 

Doing this on a consistent basis helps the student by motivating them to do things that are difficult (either mentally or physically). Students with Autism can learn how to interact with the world around them. Physically disabled students are encouraged to try difficult tasks in a positive environment.

 

Here is a wonderful video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Bk4NJXPV9c

My new favorite saying is 

"Just keep learning!"

JoAnn

Withitness

Withitness is the ability to remain aware of multiple activites simultaneously. If you possess this skill, you are a valuable asset to any classroom! Here is a blog post I found this subject:

https://sharemylesson.com/blog/develop-your-sense-it-ness%E2%80%99

Document! Document! (You'll thank me later)

Let's talk for a minute about documentation. I never gave it much thought when I first started working as an aide. I just did what the teacher asked me to do (which is my job after all). However, we will see/hear things that the teacher may miss. We can help the teacher by documenting what happens in the classroom from our point of view.

When addressing student behaviors, this helps us to understand a student's habits or triggers. It is an important tool to show the time a behavior occurs, what caused it to occur, and how often it reoccurs.
It is important to take a second and write down what you observe. There are many student needs and so many things that happen in a single day. If you are asked to recall an incident/comment later, it is often hard to remember exactly. 

Layoff Protections for Bus Drivers, Custodians, and Nutrition Workers in CA

The California state budget was signed on June 29, 2020. It includes $645M for Special Education and provides unprecedented protections for "essential workers" during this COVID-19 pandemic.
The CA school districts cannot lay off bus drivers, custodians or nutrition service workers during the 2020/2021 school year, even if they are probationary. Paraeducators may require a change in job description which will need to be negotiated by their union. Paras may be required to provide online support services. Here is an article regarding proposed school funding by county:

https://edsource.org/2020/database-federal-aid-helps-some-california-schools-more-than-others-under-governors-plan/632948

Those who are not in CA should seek information from their unions. If you have a union and are not a member, I highly recommend that you join and get involved. It is important to know your rights.

How to still feel productive during Covid-19

It has been since March that I was working at our school. At first, it was a relief. I was feeling burned out and was happy when our Spring Break started. But then we never went back. Nutrition workers, however,  still went in to make meals. Bus Drivers went in and delivered the meals (Thank you to you folks!) Paraeducators were called in a few times to help the bus drivers. But this is the first time in 15 years I have not had to stress about standardized testing in May. There was no crazy last week of school when a million things are happening and ending all at once. I am happy to have missed that stress. But it is replaced with a different type of stress. There is the stress of hearing about those who are getting sick. The worry that someone close to us might get sick. And the not-as-important-but still-undeniable stress of not feeling productive. It has been the mantra for entire life- always be doing something. 

So I have been puttering. I have 4 or 5 different projects going on at once. None of them are done and I'm thinking about adding more. I seem to be all over the place in my mind. I feel like my brain has atrophied. I am trying to practice self care. I came across this article that I found helpful:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/productivity-coronavirus-pandemic-projects/2020/04/06/742edf54-76e4-11ea-85cb-8670579b863d_story.html

I know we are in uncharted territory. Let's be gentle with ourselves and others during this time. 

A place to learn and share ideas for classified staff in education

Welcome Paraeducators, Bus Drivers, Nutrition Service Workers, Secretaries, Custodians and all who come in contact with students on a daily basis! We have the ability to make a positive difference in the lives of many young minds everyday!

We are a tough group. A flexible group. A willing and caring group. We are a tribe. We are a diverse group of people with a common purpose. And we can support each other. 

I first started out as an teacher’s aide, so I could be on my kids schedule. I know many of you have done the same. I didn’t know anything about teaching, but I loved seeing my own children learn. 

On my first day, I was placed in a Special Education classroom as a teacher’s aide. After a couple of hours into the day I thought to myself ; “What have I gotten myself into! I don’t know if I can do this!“ That was my introduction into the world of K-12 education. 

For all of those who are just starting out, don’t worry. It will get easier. For those who have been “in the trenches” for a while, thank you. Not just for those of you in the classroom, but for every classified person who has helped a student. Thank you for everything you have done to make one child’s day better!

I am here to share the things I have learned through my journey and hope to hear from some of you as well! 

JoAnn