Educators
ParaEducator
FAQs
How do I know what to do?
What do I do if a peer tutor is being disrespectful
and telling me that he/she is not going to listen to me because I am not
a teacher?
How do I handle a peer tutor
and special education student relationship that is not appropriate?
How do I give my advice on a peer tutor or how to
schedule?
What do I do if I see a peer tutor doing something
that would not be good for our students in and out of school?
What do I do if a regular education teacher asks
me advice on a peer tutor?
How do I know what to do? The para-educator should follow the lead and directions of the special education teacher. If there are any questions or suggestions, then discuss them with the special education teacher. Do not make any major changes to the peer tutoring class or its operations without discussing it with the special education teacher. There may be guidelines in place in the school that address the peer tutoring course that need to be followed. Any changes that are made need to be told to the special education teacher immediately. The responsibility for the peer tutors and their actions falls on the special education teacher, so any problems or changes need to go through the special education teacher.
What do I do if a peer tutor is being disrespectful and telling me that he/she is not going to listen to me because I am not a teacher? This needs to be handled as it would with any other student. At the beginning of the peer tutoring course, during training, the special education teacher should address the role of the para-educator with the peer tutors and that the para-educator should be treated as any other staff member in the school. If a problem does arise, then the para-educator can make the decision to handle it or to take the issue to the special education teacher to be handled. The special education teacher should demand the same respect for all of the staff in the classroom. Do not allow disrespect to occur. If the special education students, observe this behavior many of them may start acting the same way.
How do I handle a peer tutor and special education student relationship that is not appropriate? During the training of the peer tutors the special education teacher needs to address the topic of role models and of appropriate relationships between the special education students and the peer tutors. If all that occurs is inappropriate conversation, the para-educator could address the peer tutor and say that it must stop. After address the peer tutor, the conversation and reaction should be relayed to special education teacher in case the behavior continues. If the inappropriate conversation continues then the special education teacher needs to step in and take action. If inappropriate actions or relationships occur, then the special education teacher needs to be notified immediately and action needs to be taken.
How do I give my advice on a peer tutor or how to schedule? It is advised that the special education teacher consult with the para-educator for input. The para-educator and the special education teacher work together for the education of the students, so both can do the planning together. The para-educator might be the person to supervise the activities of the peer tutors at certain times, so input should be sought after. If ideas come to the para-educator, take the appropriate time to sit down and discuss them with the special education teacher. After all, the para-educator and the special education teacher will be working together as a team and thus they need to prepare as a team.
What do I do if I see a peer tutor doing something that would not be good for our students in and out of school? The para-educator can make the decision to address the issue with the peer tutor or to have the especial education teacher address the issue. Peer tutors are stressed the importance of being a good role model, but they are children and they are still learning. Peer tutoring is a class where the students are learning and they need to be taught the responsibilities of being a role model. If the actions are of great significance, then the administration may need to step in.
What do I do if a regular education teacher asks me advice on a peer tutor? If you know the student and feel comfortable giving advice, then do. Most likely you know more about the special education students, and the role of the peer tutor, than the general education teacher. If you feel comfortable with giving advice then do. After you give the advice, you should always relay the discussion with the special education teacher because most likely the same conversation will occur between the special and regular education teachers and your advice will be discussed. If you do not feel comfortable giving the advice, then explain to the general education teacher that you do not know and that you will relay this to the special education teacher and one of you will get back with the general education teacher as soon as possible.