Whether you are new to
schools or returning to the same district, here are
suggestions to help you establish yourself as part of the team. Establishing
positive relationships will be rewarded throughout the school year.
·
Always
wear your nametag.
·
Introduce yourself to the following people:
A.
the
Principal
B.
the Asst.
Principal
C.
the
Diagnostician
D.
the ARD
chairperson/ Special Ed Coordinator
E. the School Secretary
F.
the person
in charge of the copy machine
G.
the Speech
therapist
H.
the
Adapted P.E. teacher (if there is one)
I.
the school
Nurse
J.
the school
Counselor
K.
the
teachers who provide instruction to students you will be seeing
L.
the
facilities personnel
M.
the
cafeteria workers.
Note: Make
it your business to remember names. Write them down and review
before entering the school the next time. Also it is wise to get email addresses
of those you interact with frequently.
· Sign in and out at every school so anyone who needs
you will know you are there (for their benefit and yours).
· Learn the daily
routines of your assigned students, and work together with the teacher(s) to
determine when IEP goals should be addressed. If there are several issues
represented in the goals, collaborate with the student and teachers on how to
prioritize. Ask when problems occur and in what contexts, and then plan to be
there at that time and in that place. As you work through priorities and
issues with the student and the campus team, be ready to change the day and time
you come. Although consistency of day and time is nice, meeting student needs is
more important – flexibility is crucial.
· The IEP is your
guide, and all issues in the IEP requiring support from your service
must be addressed.
· Keep the teachers,
campus and students informed about when you will make your next visit.
This can be handled in a variety of methods depending on the preference
of the teacher (e.g. email, text, phone call).
· Make it your
business to check the ARD calendar every time you are on the campus
(check with the Diagnostician, the tracking teacher, the clerical person –
whoever maintains the calendar for scheduled ARDs). This will help ensure you
are not caught unprepared for an ARD.
· Make frequent
contact with school
personnel to nurture and maintain positive working relationships.
Your interest will be returned!
