Who's the Boss?

If you are anything like me, you didn't realize when you went to college to be a special education teacher that you would wind up being a BOSS straight out of the gate.  It's not something I received any training on.  Sure I knew I would have paraprofessionals in my classroom, but I didn't sign up to be in charge of adults...I just wanted to teach children.     

It took years for me to learn this but paraprofessionals are truly the who hold everything together in a successful special education department.  It's true.  They are my saving grace every single day.  We work as a team to make sure everything runs smoothly.  We laugh together.  We cry together.  And...well...sometimes we drink together.  

But friends, this TEAM I speak of...  It doesn't just happen by chance.  You have to be deliberate in making it happen.  A strong team is not developed over night.  It is built over time with respect and value of all the paraprofessionals in your classroom.  It is built with open and honest communication.  It is built by clearly communicating your expectations in a professional yet loving manner.

Below are some resources you can use to begin building your team.