Around the State: Spotlight on…

An important IPSP goal is to let others know about the current ways in which schools, districts and cooperatives support paraeducators. “Spotlight on” is a place where we can highlight work at the local level and focus on the efforts of one district, service area, or school. This spot looks at the totality of what a district is doing. As we get to know more districts better, we will spotlight those districts also.

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Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation
IPSP Contact: Karen Scheessele, Assistant Director of Special Education

Support and Appreciation Activities

• Para Sunshine Committee to appreciate/encourage paraeducators
  
  
• Individual needs assessment completed by paraeducators (2004)
  
  
• Determined topics to be offered for sessions at two-day workshop
  
  
• Paraprofessional needs assessment by cooperating teachers (2005)
  
  
• End of school year Para appreciation party with refreshments, prizes, and awards.
  
  
• Social get-togethers three times per year (Paras only!)
  
  
• Developed Paraeducator Handbook

Professional Development Activities

• Newsletters, twice a year
  
  
• Updates on legislative changes that affect paraeducator's work
  
  
• Opportunities for professional development and learning
  
  
• Feedback to the Special Education Paraprofessional committee
  
  
• Special Education Paraprofessional committee meets monthly
  
  
• Considers needs of and supports for paraeducators in the district
  
  
• Two-days of workshops at beginning of the year, voluntary, but paid it attend
  
  
• Proposals were sought for presentations from local experts
  
  
• Paras could choose to attend those sessions that best met their needs
  
  
• Evaluations were completed, collated, and reviewed.
  
  
• Presenters received certificates of appreciation
  
  
• Paraeducators received certificates of attendance

Future Goals
Karen says that future goals include developing a mentoring system for paraeducators and providing professional development on supervising paraeducators to cooperating teachers. If you are interested in the same topics, contact us at IPSP and we'll work at getting resources and people together to develop these.