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Para-educators' Place
First person: “My students are incredible sources of joy”
By 2009-10 ATPE Associate of the Year Sara Elms, Jefferson ISD
Jefferson ISD Life Skills is a wonderful place to be a part of the education family. I am an aide for the severe and profoundly handicapped. It is not a job for me but a passion. I jokingly tell people: “You can underpay me to work in special ed, but you couldn’t overpay me to work in general ed.” I enjoy the one-on-one I can have with each of my students. My work is like a puzzle; I have to find the pieces to make the whole picture shine.
I never dreamed of education as a field of interest. Life had other plans—my degree is in communications—until I found my niche. The first time I met my students, I was inspired. Their spirit was captivating. Even now I remember the fear I had when I learned to tube feed. I was terrified I would somehow hurt this child, but he giggled and put me at ease. Tube feeding is just the beginning; I take care of my students’ personal needs, such as hygiene, diapering and assisted feeding.
One student enjoys sewing, so this has become a passion for me as well. I place the pedal of the sewing machine on his table and hold his left hand in my right. He applies pressure to the pedal; I push fabric through with my left hand; and we create. We started out with basic fleece blankets that we donated to neonatal intensive care units and to the Hiway 80 Rescue Mission. We discussed how there are people less fortunate than ourselves, and we came away with an intense feeling of satisfaction knowing our blankets would be put to use for others. We have now graduated to quilts. We discuss color, squares, material and even who may benefit from our project. My student was asked to demonstrate his sewing technique at the annual Quilts on the Bayou show in Jefferson. He performed to a standing-room-only audience. I am very proud to be a part of this milestone in his life. I have lovingly dubbed our quilting “the patchwork of possibilities.” My students are incredible sources of joy for me.
Para-educators sometimes get lost in the shuffle. Often, we don’t receive the level of respect we should, and there is a common misperception about our roles as educators. I am not “just an aide”; I am an educator. I might not currently hold a teaching certificate, but my classroom runs smoothly because I am a part of the team.
ATPE does a fabulous job of recognizing the talent and dedication that para-educators bring to the classroom and to their districts. And to be recognized as one of the best educators our state has to offer—well, that is an educator’s dream come true.
Celebrate the para-educators on your campus
Did you know that May 12 is Texas Public School Paraprofessional Day? The 77th Legislature declared that the second Wednesday in May of each year is a day to recognize the contributions of para-educators to Texas public schools. Send an e-mail to prof_dev@atpe.org telling us how your school shows appreciation to para-educators.