Testimonials
PARAEDUCATORS Speak Out:
"I really appreciate all the extra work and effort put out for these classes; I always walk away empowered to assist my student (who I love) in a better way."
It is just so wonderful to learn all of these things, I just want to keep learning and learning."
"I always go home after class feeling confident knowing more than I started the day."
TRAINERS Rave:
"The paraeducators want to devour everything. They're not there because they have to be, they're there because they want to be and they want to learn. It is very personally gratifying to be able to give them what they need. I really enjoy doing it."
"It's just exciting to see the paraeducator's confidence build because then the students respect them more and they feel safer and they do better."
"Training paraeducators has given me a new challenge and I think that I have become a better teacher. Going over information refreshes my knowledge and I feel that I am learning as I am teaching. It really reenergized me."
ADMINISTRATORS Extol the Benefits:
"We overheard two paras saying, "It is just so wonderful to learn all of these things, I just want to keep learning and learning" and I thought, isn't that amazing. The whole idea of learning again has become fun and kind of its own intrinsic reward for them... I thought it was very gratifying."
"Its not unusual for the paras to be hesitant to be engaged in (taking CO-TOP as college classes), simply because its a class and that has its fears as well. But once they are engaged in that learning and see the benefit that it has just for them as a person involved with kids, then they start to develop their own momentum and their own energy to continue the training. They get their feet wet and get really motivated from the first class."
"I would say that Paraeducators who get training in any area tend to stay longer than those who have a rough year and fly by the seat of their pants. Some of them get frustrated and leave."
TEACHERS Speak Out About Learning to Supervise:
"It {the PSA training} also opened my eyes to being a more empathetic person and helps me see the real world that others are working in."
"PSA has taught me to be a better advocate and a better supervisor for my paraeducator."