Title: Stephanie- Changing Role


[ONSCREEN TEXT]
Stephanie talks about her changing role with service providers


STEPHANIE:
At first it was a big challenge. I think they had a some service providers
had a hard time listening to a para-pro.
You know, if there was a certain way that we were to be signing with Ivy or
or a certain way that an activity went
and at first I didn't know how I was supposed to approach that.
I would always tell them, you know, can you sign it this way or
and then I got the confidence to go and say you know, we are doing it this way.
Well that really offended them. You know, how dare this para-pro go and tell me what to do.
But they have all embraced it now and they'll say "Stephanie, how do you sign this?"
Or "Stephanie how do we do this?"
So, at first I think it was a struggle for everybody.
But, we've all embraced it and they all are very
appreciative when I-- you know, when I say "Can we do this, this way?" and they're like "Yes!"


[ONSCREEN TEXT]
Stephanie talks about her transition from classroom paraprofessional to intervener


STEPHANIE:
It's changed a lot
You know, it was just me and the Teacher for five years.
For five years and she relied on me a lot and i had to let some of that go
because Ivy needed me.
You know and I would sit in the corner thinking, okay they need something over there but
you know, my focus is on Ivy.
At first it was hard but now you know, my duties
I have a lot of duties, I help with the I.E.P. I help her with her you know, preparing materials
you know, I have a lot more duties now as a one-on-one para-pro
that doesn't say that I don't go and help the other students
If Ivy is working with speech, or OT, or PT and there is a need in the room then I can assist
but I had to give up that need, that everyone else in the room you know, needed me you know
and focus on Ivy because she needed me. At first it was a struggle but it didn't take me long, it was fine.
It didn't take me long to-- the first day of school was the hardest
because I was with Ivy all day and I saw everybody else in the room
you know, going like little busy bees and me and her were sitting over there playing
and I'm thinking to myself I really should be helping them but she really needs me
and so that sense of her needing me was what, you know, was what-- we have such a bond together.