Everyone associated with this employer is passionate about helping children and we're a pleasure to work with.
What I wish was different
Advice
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Special Education Paraprofessional
June - July 2019 • Swiftwater, PA
What I liked
I really liked the working environment. I worked in Autistic Support, and the teachers were amazing!
What I wish was different
I wish that the student's school-year teachers would have provided more thorough work for the students to maintain their skills. Sometimes the program feels more like childcare than an actual maintenance program. This being said, I really love what the IU is doing during the Extended School Year!
Advice
Always be prepared for the unpredictable! Accidents happen, or kids miss a couple days. This occurs in the regular education classrooms as well. It is not uncommon for a child to accidently trip and scrape a knee at the playground, or not come because they are sick. That's okay. The most important thing to remember is to stay calm in these types of situations, and not let your anxiety and stress reflect on others, and more importantly the students. If you every have any questions, don't feel afraid to talk to the administration. They are there to help you, especially if you're new, and they are really great at helping as well!
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Associate Teacher
July - August 2019 • Bethlehem, PA
What I liked
Getting to know the students and having a relationship with them. I really enjoyed all of the experiences I had that will help me in my future career as a teacher. For example, how to teach in a classroom of 7 with 4 nonverbal students, how to deescalate behaviors, and how important it is to have a relationship with each student for actual learning and growth to take place.
What I wish was different
The staff wasn't very friendly. There were amazing coworkers but mainly people complained about how hard the job was and were just there for the money.
Staff talked about students who were nonverbal in front of them.
Advice
DO NOT do this job just because it seems like an easy way to make some money. It's a hard job and it's a serious one because this time is precious to students' academic and social development. However working with these students was extremely fun and it teaches you a lot about yourself and whether or not you're fit for the special education world.
