Classroom Management for Paraprofessional Essay
It is known that paraprofessionals play an important role in the educational process in elementary classrooms as they help both teachers and children. Paraprofessionals help children to develop their academic and behavioral skills. Moreover, they help teachers with classroom management paying special attention to school and class rules and the use of the special system of rewards which is necessary for motivation of the students. Paraprofessionals also help to solve some disciplinary problems which can lead to disruption in the classroom. The major goal of paraprofessionals is to assist the teacher in different situations in order to provide safe and comfortable environment for effectiveness of learning process in the classroom. That is why it is very important for any paraprofessional to develop his or her educational philosophy. It is clear that as good educators, paraprofessionals should do everything possible to continue professional improvement which will help them to instruct students in a proper way. The most important ideas of educational philosophy include the following ones:
to manage behavior and discipline strategies which will help paraprofessionals to control the learning environment in the classroom and to avoid serious situations in the classroom. In this case, they can administer different types of punishment according to school policy. For example, paraprofessionals can change a student’s seat in the classroom or organize an effective conversation concerning disciplinary in the classroom.
to built a positive classroom culture which is very important for the successful learning environment.
to take part in organization and management of the learning environment. In this case, paraprofessionals and teachers should work as a team in order to get positive results.
to pay special attention to different factors which can impact the students’ ability to learn, including different learning styles such as visual, auditory and kinesthetic.
to built positive relationships with all students in the classroom. This is very important for effective work and for maintaining comfortable learning environment.
to built a student-centered classroom with active participation of all the students in order to get good final results in the process of learning. Only active participation of all the students in the classroom will make it possible to achieve the major goals of the educational process.
to maintain positive and high expectations for all the students because each student in the classroom has his talents, and it is necessary for the paraprofessional to identify the talents of each student in the classroom. Moreover, it is very important to make students believe in their own specialness.
to use special individual approach to the students with disabilities and to the second language learners in order to make them feel comfortable in the learning environment.
Moreover, it is necessary to add that educational philosophy of paraprofessionals is based on the their personal characteristics and on their great desire to succeed in the educational process. One of the most important traits of character of paraprofessionals who take an active part in the classroom management is their love for children. Only in case paraprofessionals have love for children, they will be able to cope with all the difficulties in the classroom management without negative emotions and without using violence. Violence is abhorrent to love. Only kind-hearted educators will be able to provide appropriate learning environment in the classroom where all the students will be able to develop their talents in a proper way.