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Success as an Ed Tech How Learning About Doctor McDreamy Saved the Day By: Karen Lacy, Ed Tech Tripp Middle School, Turner Now more than ever it is hard to be a teenager with social media, peer pressure and bullying of all types as a constant reality. Add in typical adolescent behaviors and it makes for some very trying times for teenagers especially when dealing with the added pressures of school expectations and standardized grading. The combination of the social and academic stressors make the relationship I have as an Educational Technician that much more important, if my students are truly going to soar. At Tripp Middle School, we’ve completed a successful year last year and are on our way to meeting our goals this year as well. My coworkers and I work as a team to encourage our students to take risks, develop independent work habits and to advocate for themselves. As an Educational Technician, I have worked in classrooms with experienced teachers, with case managers and even new staff and/ or substitute staffing. The level of respect has always been the same. Values are learned by watching. Teachers know that showing me respect encourages students to respect me, and with respect comes trust. In addition to academics, I deal with a lot of social and emotional situations daily—anywhere from redirecting a student after an outburst in class, to comforting a student who dealt with upsetting home issues over the weekend and didn’t know who to turn to. No matter what, they trusted me. My coworkers saw this and frequently thanked me for recognizing and doing what was needed for the students. Children are smart, they know when someone truly cares about them and they accepted me and gave me their trust. Getting students to do the work is one of these most challenging things we deal with. As an experienced parent and case manager, I have found that rewards can and do work when used in the right way. I have found that rewards that are focused on an individual's interests tend to work best. This year, this included hiking on a trail with a student, targeted peer groupings, juggling between students while offering motor breaks, and having snacks on hand for some of our students who have very little to eat at home. I have also learned
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I have also learned the entire history of Grey's Anatomy without ever watching a show because it was important to a student. Credit: Courtesy of ABC
the entire history of Grey’s Anatomy without ever watching a show because it was important to a student and encouraged her to pursue her dreams of becoming a doctor some day. No matter what, I pay attention to individual student interests and make a point of connecting with them on their own terms. As a result, students trust me and know they could come to me and that I will advocate for them but insist on appropriate behavior on their part. For this reason, I'm also known as “The Enforcer.” Rules are there for a reason and no one is immune or excluded from following them. My philosophy with my own children has always been, "A disability is not a defect, it is more of a character trait that makes you unique from the rest…so own it!!" As I get to know the students, I listen to them and talk with them. I find out what their interests are, I talk with teachers and case managers and work with them as a team to find out what the biggest struggles are and how we can address them. We come up with a plan, knowing and expecting the need to tweak them frequently but we never give up and that is what makes it work. The secret to my success as an Educational Technician is communication, thinking out side of the box and working with a team that wants to see every child succeed. This not only helps them academically but more importantly helps them to find themselves, as individuals. That is what makes it all worth it in the end. October 2017 • www.maineea.org
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