The Clarion University Paraeducator Workshop Series is designed to assist teaching aides in all settings to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to carry out their responsibilities in a competent manner. This Program has now been updated to include a FULL day of instruction on Special Education topics relevant to today’s classrooms.
In addition, participants will receive a certificate designating them as a “Highly Qualified” paraeducator which is mandated requirement for many aides positions in the public schools.
The series has been delivered by Clarion University’s Center for Teaching Excellence for the past five years and has received excellence evaluations from both participants and school districts. Here is a sample of the comments we have received: “The presenters were very knowledgeable AND interesting”, “A lot of the knowledge I acquired through this workshop, I used during my interview…..I GOT the job I wanted!”, “They say old dogs can’t learn new tricks, well with your help – we did.”
The presenters are experts in their fields and are practicing professors, teachers, administrators and supervisors. They make the course content both interesting and understandable. The assessment is based completely on the content delivered in the series and the Center has placed a process for reassessment if the need exists.
The series is comprised of four, full day workshops and culminates with an assessment on the final day.
Workshop Topics
Roles and Responsibilities: (1/2 day) Topics will include an introduction to Title I and NCLB, harassment, supervising vs. assisting, confidentiality issues, and communication.
Mathematics: (1/2 day) Middle level mathematic skills will be addressed and based on PA standards.
Child Development: (1/2 day) Topics will include how children learn, development stages, chronological vs. developmental age, how assessments are used, and recognizing patterns.
Writing Skills: (1/2 day) Middle level writing skills will be addressed and based on the PA standards.
Special Education: (full day) Topics will include terms and acronyms, definitions of disabilities, understanding IEP’s, adaptations, confidentiality, and rights and responsibilities.
Reading Skills: (1/2 day) Middle level reading skills will be addressed and based on PA standards.
Behavior Management: (1/2 day) Topics will include understanding district/classroom rules, de-escalating strategies, attention strategies, consistency, and relationship building.
** New** Paraprofessional Training Level II
This training is designed with the practicing educational paraprofessional in mind. The program is designed to align with the Performance Based Standards as designated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Workshop Topics
Integrating Technology for Paraprofessionals Topics include basic computing skills and complete projects with model effective technology integration in the classroom.
Customer Service for the Paraprofessional Topics include a focus on the communication aspect of dealing with your "customers"; students and their parents. Participants develop skills participating in conference, and discussing the progress of students and other staff members. In addition, paraprofessionals receive information concerning the effect of facial expression, tone of voice and hand gestures on the meaning of their communication.
Bully Busters! Strategies for Paraprofessionals to Minimize and Eliminate Bullying Paraprofessionals with discover ways to identify the different types of bullying, develop an awareness of why kids bully and are bullied, and learn effective intervention strategies to minimize and prevent bullying.
Paraprofessionals and Low Income Learners Paraprofessionals are in a unique position to assist students who come from Low Income Households because of the opportunity to work one on one with students. Topics will include the needs of students and alternative methods for helping them achieve in school.
Schedule for Summer 2009
Level II Venango Campus July 27-29
The final day of the Highly Qualified Workshop and the final 1/2 day of the Level II Workshop an assessment of the topics covered will be administered.
Registration form for the Level II Workshop
Register Early ~ Space is limited
Contact Information:
Center for Teaching Excellence
219 Stevens Hall
814-393-2760
