Keely Keller for EQUIP for Student-facing Paraprofessionals

Speaker: Keely Keller

Keely Keller: I'm really excited to tell you today about equip for student facing paraprofessionals. This is a 10 hour offering that is completely asynchronous in the canvas L MS and it can be purchased either by the individual paraprofessional or by buildings or districts that need to train their para professionals. It can work as a stand alone professional learning program or it can be used with district or building training that already exists. The course has a pre and post assessment that is based on core competencies for pa professionals. So parents can see what they need to work on and their growth. At the end of the course, it covers topics like behavior, communication, professionalism, assistive, technology, culturally, responsive teaching and much much more. One great thing about the course is that it also includes tools and templates that pair professionals can download, customize and use next day with their students. As I said, the course is available for individual purchase or for building or organizational purchase. When purchased. In that way, you also receive 10 PLC focus group activities that you can use in house with your para professionals. We're so excited to have equipped for student paraprofessionals to be able to help pair professionals be successful and feel successful in their jobs.

Keely Keller: This program is for new pair professionals or pair of professionals who have experience. It really is a one of a kind or maybe even first of its kind professional learning program, oftentimes para professionals are trained only when they start a job at or at the beginning of the school year. And in order to work directly with students who have varying needs, they need that training and support all the way through the year. So this is just one way that districts can provide that or pair professionals can get it on their own.

Keely Keller: Participants can expect a couple different things in the equip for student facing paraprofessionals program. They will take a pre course assessment. They will work through setting their intention or their learning goals. They will also do a number of investigations around different core competencies for para educators. At the end of the course, they will retake that survey. They will take a a short assessment as well on the required resources and they will receive a letter of completion for 10 hours of professional learning. Additionally, the course includes number of resources, templates and tools that can all be downloaded or used with students or with team members as pair professionals bring their learning back into the classroom.

Keely Keller: There are two reasons districts should invest in equip for student facing paraprofessionals. And the first reason is success, you're going to see increased success of students. Oftentimes those who need the most support in your schools, you will also see increased success of peer professionals as they gain the information, the tools and the knowledge and the skills needed to be successful with students in your districts or buildings. The second reason is retention and cost savings if paraprofessionals are doing their jobs, know what they need to do are successful with students and they feel that it's more likely that you're going to retain these para professionals in your school district or building. And when you retain staff members, you save money.