The special education program could not be as successful without the help and support of our associates. We, as special education teachers, can not be everywhere at once, so we rely on our associates to help give our students the best learning experiences we can while in the general education setting. The daily support they provide for our students includes helping prepare students for class, helping students prepare for tests, helping students stay organized and get assignments and projects done, reading tests aloud, helping with homework, bringing their attention back to the task at hand, asking prompting questions, asking clarifying questions, checking in with students on how their day is going. All of the things listed previously are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the tasks associates/paraeducators do in and out of the classroom, and not just with and for students who are on an Individualized Education Program (IEP).
At Benton, we are very fortunate to have the associates we have in our buildings working with our students on a daily basis. The relationships they develop with our students are invaluable. They are our helping eyes, ears, and hands when we can’t be in the general education classroom with our students. Without their help, our job would be even more difficult than it is with all of the paperwork and documentation that special education teachers have to keep up on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Words can not express how thankful we are for all the help they provide not only to the students that they work with but to the general education and special education teachers as well. So to all of the associates in our building at the middle school/high school and to all the associates in the district, thank you, thank you, thank you, for ALL that you continuously do to help our students and staff.