The Paraprofessional's Handbook for Effective Support in Inclusive Classrooms

This is a clear, friendly, handy guide for paraprofessionals that explains what they do and offers strategies for how to do it well. This book provides paraprofessionals with clear and direct information about supporting students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms. It begins with background information on working with students with special educational needs, relevant pieces of special education law, and the philosophy of inclusive education. Readers will then learn state-of-the-art strategies for appropriately and respectfully supporting students academically, behaviorally and socially in the classroom. Next, the book addresses professional collaboration and communication with students, teachers and parents. The final chapter presents strategies for taking care of yourself while taking care of your students. Throughout the book, voices of students with disabilities and paraprofessionals are included to add insight to each topic. Though paraprofessionals typically work with some of the most challenging students, they often have less training and education than their colleagues. This book combines the comprehensive background information paraprofessionals need with research-proven strategies to help them succeed.