Course Description

Participants will gain an understanding of essential communication strategies, conflict management, conflict resolution and how to effectively work in a team environment. This course is designed to help enhance collaboration and communication between paraeducators and other applicable stakeholders that will enhance student success and achievement.

Course Objectives

Part A: Communication Basics (2hr)

• Identify communication skills required for working with team members

• Explain the importance of decision making as it applies to school-based teams

• Explain the four stages of developing effective teams

• Describe questioning strategies which improve performance, productivity and clarify misunderstandings

• Identify strategies used to initiate and receive feedback regarding student learning and/or personal performance

• Describe ways to apply conflict resolution strategies

Part B: Communication Challenges (1hr)

• Identify and give examples of the types of strategies used to seek, provide and clarify information and feedback to staff, students and families

• Discuss the nature and possible sources of conflict among team members, students and families

• Identify strategies for repairing relationships after conflict

Identify and apply problem solving processes to various case studies and scenarios