191. You Don't Need a Paraprofessional Handbook for the First Week of School

A detailed paraprofessional handbook can be a helpful reference—but it probably isn’t what your support staff needs most during the first week of school. In this episode, I’m sharing the four things I would prioritize instead: a few specific phrases to use, a quick classroom walkthrough, clear expectations for student independence, and one simple way to ask for help when they’re unsure. We’ll also talk about why giving clear, direct instructions isn’t bossy—it’s one of the ways we help the ...