Developing a collaborative environment and system of communication creates instructional teams that benefit teachers, paraeducators and most important, students.

This 90-minute course addresses the role of the paraeducator and teacher as an instructional team, focusing primarily on teams that instruct students with disabilities. You examine aspects of planning that build a collaborative and effective teacher-paraeducator partnership, and learn how to build and maintain communication and confidentiality. Plus, you gain practical strategies for team building that can also be applied outside of the teacher-paraeducator instructional relationship.

Chapters include:

1. Understanding the Role of the Paraeducator
2. Understanding the Role of the Teacher
3. Planning to Work as an Instructional Team
4. Team Communication and Confidentiality

After successfully completing this course, you will be able to:

• Describe the paraeducator’s role and demonstrate understanding through your supervision.
• Describe the teacher’s role and demonstrate understanding.
• Assess existing planning processes and tools and improve team planning and instruction.
• Identify and correct breaches in confidentiality and implement communication strategies that strengthen the teacher-paraeducator team to improve instruction.