5 Tips to Staff Training (and why it's important)

Attention! Staff Training is the most important component to your room!

As you may have been able to determine by now it's that I have a passion for staff training. But don't get me wrong this hasn't always been a thing for me. And it definitely doesn't come naturally. I am one of those teachers that can talk to kiddos all day long. Shoot I used to coach a summer swim team of over 100 kids and I could "present" to the whole team with no problems. I thrive in those situations. But put me in front of a group of adults and my anxiety sky rockets. I'm getting better... I still fidget and rock on my feet. And I still get anxiety... but I'm working on it. But no matter how uncomfortable it is for me I know how absolutely vital it is. And that is what drives my passion.

When I first started teaching, I didn't train my staff. It wasn't even on my radar. I managed my staff... kinda. I at least gave a schedule and some basic what I want to happen during certain times. However, looking back the only reason my room was at all successful was because my IA at the time was seasoned and fabulous. Through the years it has become more and more apparent to me how essential it is to train everyone that comes in contact with your kiddos. I first started training staff when I was blessed with 3 paras in one classroom. It was then I realized (after some struggles on my part) that I wasn't just a teacher anymore that I was a manager. A good friend of mine and co-teacher taught me this lesson. And it is one I won't forget. By just taking the time to train and explain everything to my paras the class just felt different. It ran more smoothly. Once I stepped out of the classroom and into the behavior specialist role I didn't realize that this would become one of my main focuses. I thought I would give teachers pointers, give them strategies, help kiddos, and then on to the next one. But boy was I wrong. The teachers and kiddos needed my help because they didn't know what to do. And you can't just throw a strategy at someone and expect them to do it and do it with fidelity. So over the years this has become a passion. Tomorrow I have the opportunity to lead 2 professional developments in my division. And I am so excited! We are kicking of PLCs on Positive Behavior Change and The STAR Program (and everything that goes into an effective autism classroom). And on Thursday, I have the opportunity to share with leaders in the field from around our region on how to TEACH visual supports. By Thursday afternoon I will be dog tired. But I am thrilled! I will never feel fully prepared or calm when it comes to presenting but I can't wait to see the progress our teachers and kiddos make with a year long focus on behavior and autism in our division.

Last post I discussed how to support your paras. The first was I discussed was by training your staff. So here are my top 5 tips for training staff.

1. Be specific.

As I've said before, they aren't mind readers. And if they are, call me impressed. I learned this one the hard way. If you give vague instructions expect staff to either not do anything or make something up. They can't read your mind. They don't know what you want and when you want it. Give them a schedule (heard this one before??) But more them that, give them instructions on HOW. How do you teach someone to use a visual support. How do you teach a kiddo how to use a self-regulation strategy. WHAT do you do when a student spits. What do you do to prevent a student from running down the hallway. How often do you provide reinforcement and when. There are so many components and variables that go into an effective learning environment. Make sure your staff know what's expected and how to do it. I love providing visuals to staff as well as students. In those visuals, I provide a list of classroom procedures, a class master schedule, a detailed staff schedule, detailed step by step procedures for how to implement certain programs (snack procedures, manding procedures, toileting procedures, schedule procedures, self-regulation procedures, etc.). And don't be afraid to go over it as many times as you need. You are a team. And part of that means training your team. A coach just doesn't yell "go play football" at his team and expect them to win the national championship game. So why do we expect our staff to know the ins and outs of what we expect without teaching them first. And this includes gen. ed teachers, related service providers, after school care, cafeteria monitors, etc. If they significantly interact or engage with your students they need to know the plan.

2. Model.

This one is HUGE for behavior plans. Your staff giving out tokens correctly? They aren't using behavior specific praise when giving points? SHOW THEM. They are not appropriately using visual supports. SHOW THEM. Have a student with aggressive behaviors and an intensive behavior plan... SHOW THEM how to implement your plan. How do we teach our kiddos new behaviors and skills? That's right. We show them what we want them to do. Model the behavior you want to see. Don't just talk about it.

3. Observe.

How will you even know if they need help or additional training. You just have to watch. Again back to football, the coach isn't going to send them to the field and not watch. How will they know what feedback to give? How will they know what still needs to be taught? If they want to be an effective coach they're going to observe. They are going to look for the ins and outs of what is happening on both sides of the ball.... that means watching your staff as well as your students. Your staff want to know they are doing what is best for the kids. Help them be the best they can be for their kiddos..

4. Give feedback.

Do these first four steps sound familiar? How do we teach a student a behavior or skills? That's right we give instruction, model, practice, and give feedback! Reinforce your staff's behavior. Let them know what they are doing right. But also let them know what they can do differently, how they can improve. As I've stated before, paras are undervalued in the field of education. Value them by preparing them AND praising them. They work hard for your kiddos. But they also work hard for you! You can't do what you do without them. Never forget that.

5. Just do it!

Yes, it takes time. Yes, it can be uncomfortable and awkward. Yes, you are busy. But just do it! Be creative in how you will give them specific instruction. Type it out. When it's on paper they have something to refer back to. They can put it on their clipboard (oh btw have a clipboard for each staff member). Buy them coffee and breakfast and ask them to come in a few minutes early to go over classroom procedures and individual plans. Ask your admin if another staff member can cover lunch or recess with your kiddos while you work with staff members. Meet one on one with staff members. Shoot get creative, video model if you need to. But figure out what works for you and your team and get out their and get to training!

Have a great week! See you next time! And let me know how it goes with your staff!

~Kaylan~