As we all know, running a successful special education program takes a village. I know for a fact that my students’ individual needs would not be met in such a safe and productive way if it were not for my team of paraprofessionals. These adults come to work each day, prepared to tackle whatever our small friends throw their way, literally. While we couldn’t do this job without our paraprofessionals, it’s important to remember that sometimes we should. I tell my team that I want them to feel like a grandma at their grandchild’s dance recital; full of pride due to their shining success, but lowkey, you’re bored and thinking about what HBO show you should binge next. This doesn’t happen overnight, but there are always opportunities for independence. So c’mon, let’s aim to make our paraprofessionals feel like grandparents!

1. Peers, Peers, and more Peers

Providing students with adult support is often needed and overall beneficial, however finding opportunities to replace the adult with a peer can produce amazing gains for our students. One way to do this is by collaborating with their classroom teacher to create “accountability partners”. Meaning each time there’s a direction or transition within the classroom, that assigned peer is the one that makes sure our student is on task, rather than the paraprofessional. Allowing our students to learn from each other is natural and an easy way to remove that supporting adult, even if it is just for one prompt.

2. Independent Work Task Systems

Creating opportunities for independent work sessions is such an important skill, for many reasons. No grade level teacher stands in front of their students talking and guiding them through every activity that they engage in, so neither should we. Once you have one successful work system that your students know how to manage, you’re set. You can then create student specific tasks, embedding IEP goals and motor skills, while allowing them to have a moment to themselves without that supporting adult to guide them along. Utilize that token economy board, give them a thumbs up, and encourage them from the sidelines. Hooray for independence!

3. Allowing Breaks

You know when you’re in a staff meeting after a long day, and you aren’t sure if you’re about to fall asleep with your eyes open or flip the table because your day was chaos, so instead you excuse yourself and you take a bathroom break? Yeah, even adults need to take breaks. Many of our students are still learning self-regulation skills, so it is our role to allow opportunities to burrow into a bean bag or take a lap around the school. We have such high expectations for our students, and while these expectations are necessary, we must remember that our students are pouring into their skills and goals, so we must help them refill their cups until they are able to refill their own. Allowing 10 minutes of zen time does not make you an ineffective teacher, don’t forget that.