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How do I effectively utilize my special ed ea?
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Don’t do it. The things that can go horribly wrong far outweigh the upside.
Don’t do it! She can work in another classroom, but not your room. It’s a conflict of interest.
Encourage the parent to apply for the position and seek out other volunteers.
She should apply for a position in the district but not in your classroom.
In most districts, volunteers need to have background checks and be approved by the district. I can't imagine it being OK to have volunteers in your room without the knowledge of the admin.
No way would I want a parent to volunteer in my class. That’s just asking for trouble.
Our district isn't allowing visitors in the building, not even our PTO. We always need subs though, and it sounds like you could use one! See if she can do the paperwork and apply to be a sub. I feel like that would be the best way to go about it.
I feel like special education is in crisis nationwide. I myself also struggle with para issues.
Ours have to go through the background check process and get approved. And if I let a parent into my classroom it would be a short time for an art activity or something like that. But definitely not all day. Although that is super sweet that she wants to help.
If Admin doesn’t know the policy (that’s bad) I would check with district office and find out the rules.
No can do! Run this all by admin but seems like a conflict of interest that admin should discuss with her.
Due to COVID-19 building rules, we can not have any volunteers.
Mentor
Your district office will know the legal details in this regard.
Our district office has requested parent volunteers this year. As I understand, they will need meet the same teacher required background checks and screening requirements for voluntary employment.
I work for a small charter school, parent has passed background check, admin knows very little about sped laws and hosted a special education back to school night which should never have happened. I am not sure what to do in this situation. I have reached out to our acting director (an outside consultant) but haven't heard back. Mom is expecting to help make sure her child is getting services.
We have parents volunteer all the time. They are amazing!
I heard back from my director. She said it's not a good idea. She already has reason to sue us with my classroom being short staffed and her coming in fuels the fire. My classroom should have 4-5 adults and I am usually by myself unless my 1 Para decides to show up to work. I had 3 paras quit between a Friday and Monday morning. I took over over classroom after the teacher resigned and all her paras followed except 1 and none of us would be surprised of She quits too. She is only staying because we pay significantly more than other schools and pay salary so our paras get a check over breaks including summer.
I also agree. It's not worth your sanity and a law suit.
You can’t do that, especially in Covid days. Parents must go through a process, including finger printing and most definitely approved by administration.
And, as stated above, not in your class or even school.
I have a grandparent volunteering this year. I let her have lunch with her grandson but have given her projects to do ( cutting craft items, organizing file folders). I may have her work with a student or two as the year progresses but with easy to follow directions.
That being said, she’s still a grandma. She’s WAY to helpful to her grandson. I plan to tackle the “ independence” thing soon but slowly.
Yeah, it’s a bad idea because she becomes an eye witness to everything…possibly including her child not getting services as outlined in the IEP by someone with specialized training.