4The Paraeducator Handbook is designed to provide paraeducators with information about job requirements and expectations, disability awareness, and training methods they can use in a special education classroom. The goal of this handbook, along with Effective Strategies for Working with Paraeducators (purchased separately), is to prepare paraeducators for the challenges of their chosen profession while making them feel valued, productive, and competent. "I literally went from babysitting to being trained to teach students real life skills like telling time and money use both in the classroom and in the community. The disability awareness training has given me the insight to appreciate each student's unique learning style."-Sally Semenock, Paraeducator Together, Dr. Candice Styer and Suzanne Fitzgerald have over 40 years of classroom experience both as paraeducators and as teachers working with paraeducators. They were inspired to write this manual based on their own experiences and the experiences of other teachers and paras with whom they have consulted. "The knowledge I gained working as a paraeducator in Suzanne and Candi's special education classroom was so valuable. The positive work atmosphere as well as being a cohesive team allowed us to get the most out of our students and see them flourish. This manual is something that all classrooms should have "- Holli Lawrence, Paraeducator The Paraeducator Handbook belongs to Styer-Fitzgerald Publishing's line of outstanding educational products, including the Styer-Fitzgerald Program for Functional Academics. Unique among special education curricula, the Styer-Fitzgerald Program provides a comprehensive approach to teaching functional skills to students with mild, moderate, and severe disabilities, including autism. For more information about the entire line of Styer-Fitzgerald products, visit the website at www.styer-fitzgerald.com.