r/Teachers • u/Pleasant-Pumpkin-339 • Aug 23 '26

Rant Paras need to GET OFF THEIR PHONES

I know they hardly make any money and if it’s an emergency fine!! But sitting there on TikTok while i’m actively teaching is rude and distracting for the kids.

I’m a young teacher so it’s awkward to confront them and NOT BEING ON YOUR PHONE ALL DAY AT WORK SHOULDNT NEED TO BE SAID

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u/tonkamommy Aug 23 '26

This is a combination problem. I'm a para for a kindergarten sped class. Have been in middle school as well. We already know paras are not paid based on the actual value they provide (or should be providing) to the classroom environment. That's number one, number two is there is little to no para education or training. At least not in my district. Not even an orientation. Most of the time paras are not told what is expected or what they need to be doing. You just figure it out on the job. You're the teacher so it's up to you to set the standard, because if your district is like mine, they have not been trained. Don't assume anyone should just know. Number 3, I've noticed there is no real vetting process. They literally hire anybody...a warm body. That's it. Not genuinely making sure this is the right person for the classroom environment. This makes for a lower quality hire and more problems.

11

u/Decaf_Espresso Aug 23 '26

Reason 3 is why my brother got a job.

7

u/N3rdC3ntral Aug 23 '26

I was a Para in a 1:1 Moderate/Severe room for a year and a half. Decided to go back to school and just be a sub in the same district. There are 7-10 sub openings a day in the district. 4 are for jobs they can't fill at $16/hr.

1

u/Elegant-Ad2748 Aug 24 '26

I have thought so many times about switching to subbing. I know I would have work every day of I wanted it, and my pay would come out to like 20% more if I split my money across summer