Opening Statement:
For those who are not aware, Paraprofessionals are titles given to people from different fields, such as healthcare, education, law, engineering, or human resources. As assistants to the main professionals, paraprofessionals are gaining more respect and importance because they are becoming professionals within their own right. They can provide services that meet the needs of specific clients. It all started in 1960 as paraprofessionals were hired in the U.S. school systems. Followed by in 1967, the American Bar Association endorsed the concept of paralegals. It didn’t take long for our paraprofessional industry to celebrate the change in attitudes concerning with better opportunities from a dead-end job to a sought-after and a “In Demand” job.
History Of Paraprofessional Appreciation Day
· In the 1960s, paraprofessionals were first hired to work in schools around the U.S. with the help of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society anti-poverty program. Unfortunately, early paraprofessionals were mostly female and were all poor, which created a stigma and made them highly discriminated against as they had no choice but to do the jobs that no one else wanted to do.
· Paralegals were endorsed in the U.S. in 1967 by the American Bar Association (ABA) and the first committee of legal assistants was established in 1968. The year 1970 was a turning point for paraprofessionals. Their job description changed from a dead-end job that barely paid minimum wage to a job that is sought. This all started with Velma Hill and United Federation of Teachers (UFT) President, Albert Shanker, who won their first UFT contract in 1970. The contract tripled their salaries and provided benefits that made people pursue it as a career.
· It is not known when the celebration of Paraprofessional Appreciation Day began, but it is suggested that it was first designated by a Missouri governor to celebrate paraprofessionals in the education sector.
Why Paraprofessional Appreciation Day Is Important
· Paraprofessionals Make Life Easier
They assist teachers in the classroom by working with students to help them complete their assignments or practice reading. They also help by supervising students outside the classroom and assisting teachers with clerical work.
· They Are More Relatable
In the education setting, for example, paraprofessionals are much better at relating to and gaining the trust of our children than the main professionals. This kind of relationship with children is priceless and indispensable for their future.
· Appreciating Those Who Deserve
Paraprofessionals might be overshadowed by main professionals and might not be getting the recognition and praise they deserve. This is a day to do just that to appreciate them.
Closing Statement:
Paraprofessionals in the education system are also very important to special education programs and special ed teachers. It is the paraprofessional who assists and supports the main teacher with one-on-one instruction to those special needs students who need the extra help with just about everything. Another important paraprofessional in special education is a Behavioral Intervention Paraprofessional as they are responsible for the direct implementation of behavioral and instructional methodologies to address the needs of students with an IEP. In the legal field some of us also take paralegals and legal assistants for granted, but we shouldn’t because they are the backbone to any attorney. The same goes for paramedics as they assess a patient's condition at the scene and work to keep them stable while transporting them to the hospital. The difference between a EMT vs. a paramedic is, paramedics are required to complete more extensive training and are therefore, qualified to perform more advanced procedures and offer advanced life support. Many times, it is the paramedic that is taking complete direction from a doctor at a hospital while transporting the patient to a hospital emergency center. On April 3 and throughout the year let’s all appreciate and give a special thank you to all of our paraprofessionals in the many different fields that they work in.
Source of Information: Various Google Searches and Printed Publications
Until Next Week, Stay Safe and Well!
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