Course Description

Participants will learn classroom and building based instructional strategies and supports to assist classroom teachers in various learning environments and with diverse learning styles. This training will also focus on essential communication strategies, conflict management, conflict resolution and how to effectively work in a team environment in order to increase student achievement.

Course Objectives

Paraeducator Cert. Educational and Instructional Support (4hr)

Objectives:

• Identify basic instructional support methods to assist classroom teachers (small group work, one–to-one, computer aided learning programs)

• Introduce diverse learning styles and strategies best suited to enhance and complement student learning requirements various learning styles

• Review Washington Learner Standards and have basic awareness of academic achievement goals

• Demonstrate various instructional support strategies to assist classroom teachers

• Identify strategies to support classroom environments and apply materials to meet the goals of multicultural requirements

• Recognize appropriate instructional support materials which represent and support various cultures and abilities

Paraeducator Cert. Collaborative Communication

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