Would This Bother You?

[KirstenB]

If you're paid to be in my child's classroom, you better not be on the phone or texting, except for very extenuating circumstances. Our younger dd's room has 2 paras, and these wonderful ladies are busy all day, usually hands-on with the kids, engaging them, redirecting them, helping them learn.

If school was out for the day, and they were taking a 5 minute break, I'd be more inclined to cut them some slack.

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

Eeyore-

I feel ya.

As a Resource/ Activity teacher, I have numerous paras in my class each day. I will say at my old school, paras/ teachers thought nothing of talking on their phones with kids in the room. At my new school, it is incredibly rare. A lot of it has to do with the school environment, I think. Maybe mention to him that you've heard that they are cracking down on cell use around school, and you don't want him to get in trouble. If you think it's worth it, mention it to an AP, but also mention that you think he's a great para. Maybe they can bring it up at a faculty meeting. Good luck, I know it's a fine line you're walking!

 

[andymattmom]

now that you updated...YES please say something. It is not fair to you or the kids in the class. If you are not comfortable talk to the principal and explain and maybe they could do a "general" reminder about not using cell phones during school hours. The para is there to assist you and the kids...this is selfish, unprofessional and rude. No matter how nice or sweet they are there might be someone nicer, mor professional and more qualified who would love that job and the opportunity to work with the kids. There are probably teachers who just graduated who would love a foot in the door and this would be an ideal opportunity. Stand up...if you don't it will continue.

 

[Liberty Belle]

This really bothers me. Most paras are dedicated to their jobs and devoted to the children. Our pay is not the best, but the rewards make up for it. It is not an easy job and when we work very hard and give so much time and sometimes money into our work and get paid the same as a para who slouches and doesn't even do what the teacher asks, it's just wrong.

If the para is not doing his job, please tell him what he's doing wrong. If he continues to display the unprofessional behaviors, let the principal know. It's not fair to the kids, you, or the other paras who are doing their jobs.

 

[JOCAmom]

For those who said it depends: If this were an all day/every day thing and occurred when the para is to be working with students and there is no emergency?

In that situation, I would be very ticked. Their job is to help with the kids not to keep up with their social life.

 

[sPaRkLeSpAz]

I'm a para also.
Last year, I worked with a girl that did nothing but TALK and TEXT on her freaking phone. It drove everyone insane, and people would call her out on it, so she would go hide in the bathroom and talk on it. I ended up doing more than my share of work. She eventually ended up getting let go. She was really good with the kids and all, but the phone turned her into an entirely different person if that makes sense.
I will say, I have texted at work before, but never in front of the students. I wait until after school, or until a break time if I need to check my texts. I think you should talk to him. Hopefully he'll understand where you're coming from :]

 

[C.Ann]

Yes - it would definitely bother me..

 

[Jillpie]

Am I the only one that has NO clue what a "para" is?? I've never heard of this term, is this something down south? Is it the same as a teachers aide? Anyway, if that person is all alone, it wouldn't bother me in the least.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

A para is short for paraprofessional. Basically, they help out with the students. In the district where I was student teaching paras were allowed to implement instruction designed by a teacher. Here, the para cannot teach new skills, just reinforce old ones. He can also help with behavior.

I've really been biting my tongue on several issues. I know I'm not perfect, it's a learning curve for me as my student teaching was very different from the classroom I have now. I really felt like I was failing my kids until I met with the other two teachers in the district who have the same classroom and found out that I am actually ahead of them in terms of implementing academics. But being unsure has made me hesitant to say anything to him. He is very nice, but I've been afraid he will throw it back in my face (I don't know why.) I'm also not used to working with paras and don't want to over step my boundaries.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I think it's funny that the comment was to talk to the principal. If you walked in my school and saw me texting, it's likely I'd be texting to the principal. We use text pretty regularly in our school for things like

"The lesson you wanted to observe is starting" or

"I have a moment, can I come find you to talk about our upcoming field trip?"

I've also texted parents at their request etc . . . (e.g. parents have asked for a text to remind them an hour before an IEP meeting, or to remind them of their child's turn to bring snack -- I would never text a parent who didn't ask for that form of communication).

So, walking in the room and seeing a para texting wouldn't raise any alarm bells in me as a parent, unless, of course the kids were sorely in need of attention.

However, based on your later post I assume that's not the case here, and yes, what you describe would bother me.

 

[Aisling]

The way you describe it, yes it would bother me.

 

[Traveliz]

Am I the only one that has NO clue what a "para" is?? I've never heard of this term, is this something down south? Is it the same as a teachers aide? Anyway, if that person is all alone, it wouldn't bother me in the least.

Thanks for asking.

Liz

 

[MariDisney]

I've had many many paras over the years. Some paid more attention to the job, some less. Would someone pulling out the phone to send a quick text to check on a kid at home or something like that bother me? No. I'm faily laid back. Would it bother me if it was all day, every day? Yes.

Now, one of the things I learned quickly as a beginning teacher was how to manage the other adults in my room. Being in special education with kids with significant impairments, I've had up to 7 paras in my room at once as well as push in speech, OT, etc. I learned to give direction, even when it was uncomfortable. If you're this person's supervisor you should feel comfortable setting a schedule and encouraging him to stick to it. Maybe have a to-do list at the beginning of the day 1) help J with math assignments, 2) check homework books, etc. You can always couch it in your need to have things run well in your room, you wanting to get a good eval, etc. I often used to start with "I know I am so crazy about this, but I'd like you to..."

Good luck! It's a tricky thing, but something that will serve you well as a teacher if you can get good at it.

 

[Macca1111]

But being unsure has made me hesitant to say anything to him. He is very nice, but I've been afraid he will throw it back in my face (I don't know why.) I'm also not used to working with paras and don't want to over step my boundaries.

Here's where I knew the answer...you are the teacher and he is the para, there to benefit you and the students in your classroom. It's not like you're being a jerk to him - you're telling him what you require of him in YOUR classroom to benefit everyone. I understand as a new teacher it's hard to feel like you're in charge or that you can request certain behaviors, but you should. It's ok to say something to him - I would do this if you feel comfortable enough to before you have to involve the principal. He may not know that this is inappropriate behavior - just have a very calm talk with him about what you expect from him in your classroom. Hopefully he'll totally understand and it won't be a problem. If if then continues to be a problem, that's when you should involve the principal. Good luck!

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

OP - that would make me mad if he was texting all day long. He is there to help the kids not to carry on a conversation with friends.

Now, I will say there are circumstances where I think that cell phones/texting are acceptable. Today was my sister's first day of school with the kids - she is a special ed teacher (like the OP). Today was also the day my mom was due to get very important test results back (basically to tell her if she had bone cancer or not). My mom called my sister's phone when she got the results (which were negative thankfully!) but she didn't answer because her phone was in her purse in a different room. She called my mom before she had a chance to check her cell phone and get the message that my mom had left. Next month when my mom has surgery, I fully expect my sister to carry her phone with her for that one day and take the 10 second phone call telling her that my mom is OK. To me, that is acceptable.

OP, I would talk to your principal and see what he/she says. Maybe he/she will have some advice with how you can handle the situation. Good luck!

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

My process coordinator and I met today about other things, and I brought up some of the issues I have had. I wanted to clarify my role in the situation. I will talk to him the next time he is here. He was out sick today and once again failed to notify us the proper way, leaving no one to meet their bus and us scrambling for a sub. Thankfully the same sub from the other two times came, she is great with the kids.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Oddly enough, I texted (I really hate typing that "word") today during class for the first time. The teacher was out sick (I was out sick yesterday) and she texted me to find out if I was there and if the sub was doing ok.

I immediately thought of this thread.