Dr. Sarah Douglas, MSU Department of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) associate professor, released her new book, “Supporting Paraeducators in Special Education and Inclusive Settings,” designed for teachers, future teachers and other education professionals who support paraeducators.
“There are more paraeducators in schools today than special education teachers, and they often provide high levels of support to students who are at risk,” Dr. Sarah Douglas said. “There is a need for content to help schools support and utilize paraeducators more effectively and efficiently. This text helps fill that gap.”
The book is focused on research-based practices with application for both general and special education teachers in their role as supervisors of paraeducators within inclusive and special education settings. It is intended as a resource and tool for in-service teachers and an instructional supplement for pre-service teachers and school administrators within higher education coursework. In this book, the roles and responsibilities of teachers, paraeducators, and school administrators relative to paraeducator training and supervision are detailed along with tips for collaboration.
“Paraeducators are vital to our current educational structure in the United States, and this text helps outline the best ways to utilize them to support students with disabilities,” she said. “The text provides a lot of relevant information, but also includes objectives, scenarios, and chapter questions, as well as instructor materials to aid instructors in best utilizing the book with pre-service and in-service educators.”
Dr. Douglas is one of three co-authors who collaborated on the book text. Her co-authors are Emily E. Sobeck, PhD, associate professor at Franciscan University; and Denise J. Uitto, EdD, retired faculty at the University of Akron.
“Collectively we have more than 40 years of classroom experience, and 33 years of experience supporting paraeducators and conducting research related to paraeducators. We each utilized this expertise to contribute equally to the text,” she said.
Dr. Sarah Douglas began her work with children with disabilities as a special education teacher, and much of her work addresses the learning gaps she and her colleagues experienced while teaching.
“I know as a teacher, I really wanted to do a good job working with my paraeducator colleagues, but I know so much more now from my training and research, and I want to make that education available for teachers, paraeducators and families – everyone who is helping to support our kids,” she said.
To pick up a copy of her new book, visit https://www.slackbooks.com/supporting-paraeducators-in-special-education-and-inclusive-settings/.
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By Katie Rose Frey