Paraprofessionals Team Up with Kent Gerlach for NYC Training

On November 8, paraprofessionals from across New York City participated in a daylong professional development workshop, “Let’s Team Up: What Every Paraprofessional Needs To Know for Student Success and Effective Teamwork.” The workshop, offered jointly by Comprehensive School Solutions (CSS) and CEI, was presented by Dr. Kent Gerlach, a nationally recognized authority on paraprofessional issues. The workshop was designed to provide paraprofessionals with information and skills to enhance their role as a paraprofessional and member of the educational team, as well as to review current issues involved in this role.

Dr. Gerlach addressed subjects including

• What supervisors expect from paraprofessionals
• What paraprofessionals expect from supervisors
• What paraprofessionals need to know in working with teachers and other supervisors
• The roles of the paraprofessional, special education catcher, and general education teacher
• Strategies for clear communication between teacher and paraprofessional
• Professional and ethical responsibilities of paraprofessionals

Attendees took home a copy of Gerlach’s best-selling book, Let’s Team Up, as well as Paraeducator’s Resource Guide, a quick-reference tool by Nancy French.