[Pibe-division] paraprofessionals

[mary jo hartle]

HI,
Ideally, I would argue that paras are mostly there to assist you as the
certified teacher of blind students or TVI with things like transcribing,
preparing materials, assisting a child in class, etc.  .  Since you are the
one with the specialization, degree, and or certification to teach blind
students, ideally you should be providing the bulk of the Braille
instruction to your students.  I would recommend generally that paras be
used as back ups when you as the TBS cannot provide the Braille instruction
yourself due to other priority duties, high case loads, etc.  However, I
recognize that we don't live in an idea leducational world, so if a para is
going to assist in teaching Braille, I would recommend that these
individuals be fluent in both contracted and uncontracted Braille, know how
to use a Braille writer and slate so that they can also teach these tools,
and know basic Braille rules, i.e, when certain signs take precedence, when
you use certain signs like where syllables might divide a word in the middle
of a contraction--know what the rule is for these kinds of words, etc. (e.g.
you don't use the ea sign in writing the word east).  I would also recommend
that if paras are going to teach Braille, they also have knowledge in nemoth
code--at least the basics so that this is also taught along side literary
Braille as it corresponds to the child's math learning. (e.g. a
kindergartener should be learning nemoth numbers at the same time their
peers are learning numbers, and function signs like plus, minus, divide, and
multiply should be introduced in nemoth at the same time the student is
learning them in class.)   
	With respect to teaching other skills, I would apply the same
philosophy.  You are the certified teacher and therefore ideally should be
providing the direct instruction,  and the paras should be there to assist
you--help prepare the materials and transcribe so that your time is more
free to provide such instruction,  help make your job easier, and to help
reinforce the skills you are teaching when you are not with that student.  
Just my thoughts.  
Mary Jo Hartle, Med, NOMC 
Certified Teacher of Blind Students 


-----Original Message-----
From: Pibe-division [mailto:pibe-division-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf of
Marianne Denning
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2012 12:59 PM
To: aernet; Professionals in Blindness Education Division List
Subject: [Pibe-division] paraprofessionals

I am giving a presentation to parents about the parts of the IEP that
are specific to visually impaired students.  I have a question for
anyone who wishes to answer.  Many TVI's use paras to teach braille
and other skills.  When would you use a para for this and what should
that individual's qualifications be?  Thanks in advance for any ideas.

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