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ELT offers online courses for paraprofessionals
March 17, 2005 Lewiston-Porter special education teacher Ashli Skura Passmore teaches online courses for paraprofessionals under the auspices of NYSUT's Education and Learning Trust. As a high school special ed teacher, Ashli Skura Passmore relies on the help of paraprofessionals to keep her classroom running smoothly. "I have three paras working with me and they do a lot of work individually with special needs students," said Passmore, a member of the Lewiston-Porter United Teachers in Niagara County . That's why she believes ongoing professional development for School-Related Professionals is important. "You can have wonderful resources but, without well-trained paraprofessionals, student learning won't improve." In 2003, Passmore put her money where her mouth was by becoming an instructor for New York State United Teachers' Education and Learning Trust after being invited to apply at a union luncheon for National Board Certified teachers. She became nationally certified as a middle-level generalist in 2002. Valued "I volunteered to teach SRP courses because it's something I believe in and I love it," said Passmore, ELT's Western New York regional coordinator. "Paraprofessionals need to be valued and districts should take advantage of NYSUT programs that help teacher aides become state-certified teaching assistants." Passmore recently expanded her repertoire to become one of three ELT instructors providing online undergraduate course instruction for paras through Ulster County Community College. She and fellow online instructors Shirley Birmingham of the Nyack Teachers Association and Mary Galac of the Hamburg TA received network training through the State University of New York to learn the nuts and bolts of online instruction. "This is exciting because it will allow more members to meet their certification requirements," said Rosemarie Rosen, manager of ELT. She said that owing to family commitments or distance, many paraprofessionals can't take traditional classes. The online courses add benefits that Passmore says are not found in traditional classes. "Students are more empowered to learn on their own in online classes," she said. "Generally, they do more research in educational journals and, since everything they submit is written down, the courses are more writing-intensive. Courses offered this spring through UCCC include "Introduction to exceptional children" and "Supporting students in reading and writing." Tuition and fees are $367 for the three-credit courses. — Kara E. Smith |
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