A Guide to the Supervision of Paraeducators

Paraeducators—also known as paraprofessionals and teacher’s aides—can be an invaluable asset to the classroom, supporting and benefitting both the teacher and students. However, maximizing the effectiveness of paraeducators in the classroom requires proper supervision of these support professionals by the teachers and/or administrators under whom they work.

The general and/or special education teacher to whose classroom a paraeducator is assigned must clearly understand and identify the roles and responsibilities of all of the educators in the class.   School administration must ensure that the paraeducator’s role is legally and ethically appropriate.  And paraeducators must know what is expected of them and receive sufficient training and feedback to enable them to fulfill their roles.

A Guide to the Supervision of Paraeducators, written by Nancy French, PhD., provides valuable information for the school professionals responsible for supervising paraprofessionals within their classrooms or programs.  This four-page (bi-fold) laminated guide offers an easy-to-read overview of the distinct roles and of the teacher and the paraeducator, and identifies the seven functions of effective supervision, including

• Providing orientation
• Planning
• Scheduling
• Delegating
• On-the-job training
• Monitoring task performance
• Managing the workplace

Offered at a significant discount for multiple copies, administrators can purchase a reference guide for every general and special education teacher and related services provider. This guide will help staff improve their supervisory skills and use a common language as they work together to evaluate and train paraeducators.