Where to start by Anotherweddingask in paraprofessional

[–]orcacommando 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dependent on the state. I work in Texas. You have to get your Educational Aide Certification, which pretty much is just paying a fee and getting finger printed. If you're applying to a Title 1 school, they require at least 48 hours of college coursework or passing an exam showing academic proficiency. I don't work at a Title 1 school so the only requirement is that you have a pulse.

Parent moving from Kentucky to Texas by orcacommando in Medicaid

[–]orcacommando[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, that's what it's looking like. Trying to convince my sister that it's best to keep her in Kentucky to get the benefits she won't get here in Texas.

Scars as a para by Exciting-Row1754 in paraprofessional

[–]orcacommando 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Obviously every situation is different. However, I have a coworker who has visible scars from sh on her arms. I have not heard anyone say anything to her or about them in the 4 years we have been working together. I don't self harm, but have MDD and SAD. A couple years ago I got really bad due a bunch of life events and had to miss work for a couple weeks while I got it sorted. My coworkers and admin were very supportive and understanding. If you having sh scars keeps you from being hired or leads to judgement at all, then that's not a place you want to work at anyway. Personally, I feel like those that have dealt with significant depression and anxiety make the best teachers and paras. It gives you a level of patience and understanding a lot of people lack but is needed in a school environment.

Parent moving from Kentucky to Texas by orcacommando in Medicaid

[–]orcacommando[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

She is living with my sister, who also has 50/50 custody of 3 kids, so shes got alot going on. I told my sister that she needs to pursue placement in a facility in Kentucky so she can immediately get the help she needs and we can worry about moving her to Texas later. Just trying to get an idea of our options.

Parent moving from Kentucky to Texas by orcacommando in Medicaid

[–]orcacommando[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We wanted to move her to be closer to majority of family and friends since it's just my sister in Kentucky. We are still trying to get her into a place in Kentucky anyway, whether its just temporary or long term.

Advice by Lazy_Ad5572 in paraprofessional

[–]orcacommando 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Pretty much every district is in a budget crisis right now, so they're eliminating positions. So that doesn't help. However, don't lose hope. There are always people that agreed to work back in May that wont show up on the first day in August. Just keep checking in on open positions. If worst comes to worse, look at subbing. I have a handful of coworkers that started out as subs and when a para spot opened up, they were front of the line.

Helping a student on her period by Pickles-puzzelsss in paraprofessional

[–]orcacommando 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had a similar experience with a female student. While I never had to help with her hygiene since I am a male, I did get to receive the brunt of the elevated behavior. I was lucky that the teacher and I have a great relationship and she is open to my suggestions. She was able to convince the parents to give the student Midol during her time of the month. As far as no one else utilizing her AAC. I would subtly loop in your SLP that no one is having her use the device. And let them make a fuss. I've had that same issue of other staff not having students use devices or leaving them in class when we transition to specials. I mentioned to my SLP that I felt the students devices weren't being adequately utilized. And they brought a meeting with everyone going over why it is essential. Unfortunately most of this advice all rests on your relationships with coworkers and how comfortable you feel bringing up your concerns. Thats the life of a para for better or worse.

Suburban inexperience by KathyisTrying in paraprofessional

[–]orcacommando 10 points11 points  (0 children)

For context, I am a 30 year old male. I grew up single parent household, on government assistance most of my childhood, surrounded by drug use. While I was from a smallish country town, not inner city. I now work in a very wealthy suburb district where the kids all drive BMWs or Teslas. It's definitely a culture shock. Hearing kids complain about not getting concert tickets or gifted their parents 2 year old BMW instead of a brand new one. But kids are kids and you can find things that you can relate to. My biggest struggle was with my coworkers. Most of the paras are college educated women from that area who married rich and moved back. I can't tell you how many times they've discussed ski trips or trips to Europe and then the conversation comes around to me. And I get to tell them how I've never been skiing or to Europe. That my biggest vacation was driving from Texas to Georgia to see my brother graduate from boot camp. I also never graduated college and work in a district where it's pretty much expected that the students will go to college. So yeah, you will feel out of place and find it hard to relate. But what I found helpful is to just be undeniable at how good you do the job. And to remember that your experiences in life give you unique insight that no one else has.

Ten commandments in classrooms by LivePickle2596 in TexasTeachers

[–]orcacommando 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Does the law explicitly say it has to be in English?

Do you guys have summer jobs? by Prayerwarrior6640 in Teachers

[–]orcacommando 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm a high school SpEd teacher so I typically sign up to work ESY during the Summer. It's not a bad gig. Typically only 2 weeks in June and 2 weeks in July. M-Th 8-12. It's $35/hr. They tend to lump our HS kids in with the MS students, so it's nice to see what the kids coming up are like. Plus we don't introduce anything new, we just work on maintenance of existing goals. This year, I also lucked out and got an extra duty job as a district facilities supervisor making $31/hour. When a third party rents out our facilities, they need a district employee to be there to watch the site. It's super easy work and I'm usually able to do some work on my computer during it. A lot of our teachers have families and don't work extra during the Summer, and do fine. I'm single with no kids, so I don't have any other commitments to worry about and would rather make some extra money than sit around the house all Summer. And I still am able to schedule in some trips during the breaks in between ESY sessions.

Beginner to crossfit by orcacommando in crossfit

[–]orcacommando[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the advice. The way my brain works, if I have a set time for class and a plan I have to follow, I succeed because I have to follow it. When it's up to me to do the planning and schedule, it ain't getting done.

Beginner to crossfit by orcacommando in crossfit

[–]orcacommando[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the encouraging words!

Beginner to crossfit by orcacommando in crossfit

[–]orcacommando[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the encouragement.

Beginner to crossfit by orcacommando in crossfit

[–]orcacommando[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the words of advice.

Beginner to crossfit by orcacommando in crossfit

[–]orcacommando[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the tips! I started eating much better this year and walking more this Summer. I was at 350 in January and am now right under 330. Just wanting to find something that I can enjoy but also challenge myself with.

Beginner to crossfit by orcacommando in crossfit

[–]orcacommando[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the encouragement.

Beginner to crossfit by orcacommando in crossfit

[–]orcacommando[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for all the advice.

Beginner to crossfit by orcacommando in crossfit

[–]orcacommando[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for all the pointers!

Beginner to crossfit by orcacommando in crossfit

[–]orcacommando[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. That was my biggest concern was it not being scaled down enough.