Professional Learning and Ethical Practices

When working within schools, one must be sure to be up to date with educational laws and regulations, especially within the field of education. As the laws and regulations constantly progress within the realm of special education, so must the educator’s knowledge of how to best accommodate student learning styles. One must be willing to seek out different instructional strategies and technologies that assist in meeting the needs of all students. Working in the field of education, it is also imperative to understand ethical standards.  Establishing a code of ethics maintains an environment of professionalism among staff and students. An established code of ethics also lays out a consistent set of rules and procedures for all staff to follow.  Having an established code of ethics, rules, and procedures enables everyone within the school environment to be on the same page. Educators must also be willing to reflect upon personal practices. Self-evaluation allows educators to assess what is, and what is not working within the classroom. 

The paraprofessional handbook assignment that I created throughout my coursework helped me to understand the importance of a code of ethics and school procedures. A written handbook becomes helpful in conflict situations.  The handbook provides guidance for those who are looking to solve a dispute. A written handbook also contains important information about school operations and confidentiality procedures.  A written set of rules and procedures such as the paraprofessional handbook ensures the best environment for student learning. With regards to assessment, it is imperative to understand ethical standards.  When administering and scoring an assessment it is important to follow the testing manual and recommend procedures. Following procedures and testing protocol allows for more accurate results. It is also important to fully understand the results of an assessment in order to establish effective communication with the student’s parents. When going over the results of an assessment, the evaluator should develop a report based upon the computer generated report. When utilizing templates for reports, the evaluator must check the report to ensure appropriate names are in the report. It is imperative to follow proper testing procedures and adhere to ethical standards when evaluating a student. Educators must set and adhere to a high set of standards, as they provide a model for student’s to follow. 

Leadership and Collaboration

Throughout much of my coursework within the Granite State College School of Education,  I have been working as a case manager for grades kindergarten-second.  Working as a case manager, I have developed a method of connecting with the families of students I work with.  Keeping in touch with the parents of students on my caseload allows me to not only fill parents in on the happenings at school, but also develop strategies to assist their students.  Parents play a critical part in developing an appropriate education for students. Apart from working with parents, collaborating with fellow educators is critical in promoting the greatest student success. With regards to student progression in the general curriculum, teachers, specialists, and para-educators must keep in constant communication to determine the effectiveness of instructional strategies. Collaboration and communication are key aspects of the referral process, determination of a disability, and planning of an IEP. Collaborating with a student’s IEP team in the referral process allows for different view points, and more information ensuring an appropriate decision on programming.

Working as a special educator/case manager, communication with a student’s classroom teacher is important. It is also important to communicate with special education and related services specialists a student might see. I have attended weekly grade level meetings for students on my caseload to discuss instructional strategies that are best suited to meet student need. Assessments and progress monitoring is also discussed during grade-level meetings. I have also utilized grade level meetings to ask my colleagues for effective strategies to incorporate within the lessons I completed throughout this course. I also meet with special education and related services specialists on a weekly basis to discuss student progress. Communication among parents, faculty, and community members is critical when planning and implementing an appropriate educational program for students, especially students with disabilities.