Paraprofessionals in the classroom make our world go round. Whether it’s toileting assistance, deescalating behaviors, or supporting students in inclusion, paras are some of the most involved and important people in a classroom. And teachers and paras should work alongside each other completing day to day tasks interchangeably! However, I am not naive to the fact that conflicts arise. I have had my fair share of difficult moments with paras and I’d like to share a conflict resolving exercise that I’ve done to help us work more cohesively.
Hearts and stars
I wish I know the originator of this activity so I could give proper credit. But it’s something I learned from a professor in college. This is so easy and very low prep. Simply make an anchor chart for each student and divide the anchor chart into two sections. In the top section you will focus on hearts. Meaning, affirm yourselves! Have your staff chime in and write down the good things that the staff in the classroom is already doing to support that student’s success. Things that your paraprofessionals in the classroom are doing well. Incorporate your paras in this list so that it’s a collaborative effort. Some examples:
“Rico’s eye light up when we give him praise”
“Taking Rico’s simba toy to inclusion really helps with transitioning there safely and smoothly”
“Setting a timer for Rico’s breaks helps him know when they break is over”
On the bottom of the anchor chart you will focus on stars, or areas of improvement. Meaning, what is not working. Are there things the staff or paraprofessionals in the classroom do that trigger or increase problem behaviors? What can we stop doing to make some long term replacement behaviors happen? Keep this part of this exercise conversational as well! This isn’t a time for you to make a list and talk at your staff. The purpose of this is that everyone feels heard and like their voice matters too. Some examples:
“I’ve noticed Emory really doesn’t like when you repeat yourself to many times too fast”
“I’ve noticed Emory like alot of wait time and personal space”
“Emory becomes triggered when we raise our voice”
I would not be sharing this conflict resolving activity if it didn’t work wonders for my own team and my paraprofessionals in the classroom. Even when there is not a conflict I can’t recommend this enough to do with your paraprofessionals in order to have all members of your team on the same page. I hope this helps your team work cohesively and maybe even help resolve some classroom conflicts!
Check out my other paraprofessional related blog posts here!
Happy teaching,
Sofie
