Paraeducator Community of Practice

Vanderbilt’s Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD) will provide a partnership with paraeducators in Tennessee. Through this partnership, consultants will use online learning tools and remote coaching to directly teach paraeducators in Evidence-Based Practices for working with students diagnosed with autism. Paraeducators will meet 2x/month with a TRIAD educational consultant for direct coaching. The first meeting consists of didactic learning of strategies through online discussion and completion of brief online training modules, as well as goal setting on that skill/strategy. The second meeting serves as a coaching and reflection call around the implementation of the goal. Cohorts will consist of a combination of different paraeducators across the state or a group from one school system. There will be two cohorts: one will meet on Tuesdays at 10 AM (CST) and one will meet on Thursdays at 2 PM (CST).

Participant Requirements
  • Internet access & web-capable device (i.e. tablet, computer, etc.)
  • Complete application
  • Team members include paraeducators
  • All team members complete the participant agreement
  • All team members must have administrators also complete an agreement
  • Willingness to complete multiple, live remote coaching sessions
  • Willingness to implement goals
  • Willingness to complete assignments asynchronously
Training Topics
  • What is Autism?
  • Behavior & Learning
  • Reinforcement Systems
  • Visual Supports
  • Schedules
  • Task Analysis
  • Prompting
  • Teaching Communication
Webinar Format Two meetings per month:
  • Didactic presentation of training materials
  • Reflection and review of content presented
  • Supported small group activities and discussion
Coaching Format The second of the two meetings per month is considered a coaching call. During this time, participants will discuss the implementation of the goal and problem solve with TRIAD consultants on further resources needed, etc.
Online Learning Assignments
  • Learning modules will be assigned prior to team meetings.
  • Learning modules will be completed asynchronously.
  • The duration of each module is no more than 15 minutes
  • All modules will be found on triad.vkclearning.org
    • A unique access code will be assigned once the project begins.
  • Each module will include guided notes to be completed while watching.
Proof of Attendance Participants will receive certificates documenting their participation after all sessions and accompanying assignments are completed.  Number of hours differs based on partnership agreement and time interacting with the service.

*All coaching hours will be documented by the TRIAD consultant.

Sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Education, through the Tennessee Technical Assistance Network (TN-TAN) and available at no cost to LEAs in Tennessee.

TRIAD is a proud member of the Tennessee Technical Assistance Network (TN-TAN) through the Tennessee Department of Education. TRIAD, the autism institute at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, provides training, consultation, and coaching services for supporting educators and developing school and system-wide supports to address needs specific to autistic students, Pre-K-12.

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