This series will focus on the area of diversity in our schools and the impact diversity has on student learning.  While each session will present information critical to the issue being addressed, attendance at one or more of these sessions will provide paraprofessionals with a strong knowledge-base to assist them in becoming reflective practitioners. Each of the areas of paraprofessional competencies established by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction will be addressed.  Additionally, several of the indicators from the State Performance Plan (SPP) for a school district will be addressed by the planned activities. Each workshop has been approved by WEAC for 5.5 credits towards an ESP certificate.  "Limited seating; register early!"



             Session III.  Diversity: Ethnic & Cultural Considerations

Wednesday, October 3, 2007  
8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.  at the CESA 5 Office
Registration Deadline:  Tuesday September 25
Paraeducator Competencies 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8;  SPP Indicators 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Each paraprofesional in attendance, who has not attended another session in the PARASeries, will be given a copy of The Personal Planner & Training Guide for the ParaEducator; and The Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners Reference Card. 

The third session in the PARASeries will take a look at school practices from different cultural perspectives.  Guest speakers will help all in attendance come to an understanding of how different ethnic influences will have an impact on the expectations, discipline, and support that can be expected from families.  The importance of acceptance of different customs will be stressed as well as how to provide opportunities for parental involvement and win the support and trust of families that come from a different background.  

Monday, December 3, 2007  
8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.  at the CESA 5 Office
Registration Deadline:  Friday, November 23
Paraeducator Competencies 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8;  SPP Indicators 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Each paraprofessional in attendance will be given an Assistive Technology Wheel.

The fourth session in the PARASeries will focus on a variety of different strategies and instructional techniques to help all students.  The use of assistive and accessible technologies will be demonstrated while also providing case studies for the students who would benefit the most from each type of technology.  Differentiated instruction through the use of a variety of instructional techniques, as well as appropriate modifications and accommodations will also be demonstrated.  A brief overview of the different types of disabilities will be given, and a connection between the identification of students with disabilities and the over-identification of minority population will be pointed out.  

Session V.  Diversity: The Impact on Student Learning
 

Tuesday, February 12, 2008  
8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.  at the CESA 5 Office
Registration Deadline:  Monday, February 4
Paraeducator Competencies 3, 4, 5, 6, 7;  SPP Indicators 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Each paraprofessional in attendance will be given an a copy of the book, Understanding Learning and the workbook Learning Structures.

The fifth session in the PARASeries will focus on the hugh impact poverty has on students in the classroom.  The paraprofessional in attendance will be asked to leave his/her comfort zone and look at school through the eyes of a child living in poverty.  The relationship to multiple intelligences and different learning styles to student learning will be addressed.  Additionally, those in attendance will be shown how to become a reflective practitioner who is about to assist students by using a variety of different technology in the classroom.    

Session VI.  Diversity: The Importance of Behavior Management 

Thursday, April 10, 2008  
8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.  at the CESA 5 Office
Registration Deadline:  Wednesday, April 2
Paraeducator Competencies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7;  SPP Indicators 4, 5, 6, 8
Each paraprofessional in attendance will be given a copy of the book, A Framework for Understanding Poverty and Blueprints from DPI. 

In the sixth and final session of the PARASeries, the importance of self-esteem and self-respect will be addressed as it relates to behavior concerns.  Demonstrating respect and acceptance for others, especially when they come from a culture different than our own, may be difficult for some.  But dealing with cultural conflicts by developing culturally acceptable social skills can help.  Also, a look at how discipline is taught in other cultures may provide additional tools for dealing with difficult students.