About Us

Online Professional Development (PD) for TAs -

Online PD is an effective way to access training in a way to fit your schedule as it is generally available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week using any Internet connection: school, home, community library, etc. Below is a sampling of online PD appropriate for TAs & those who work with them – some at no cost & some at low cost. If you are using online PD that you could recommend to others, let us know at Tacomments@ritap.org.

IRIS Center for Faculty Enhancement at Peabody College’s Learning Technology Center has free online interactive modules on Accommodations, Behavior, Collaboration, Differentiated Instruction, Disability & Diversity. As described at http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu, “Each module begins with a Challenge, a realistic scenario…(you)…might encounter. The Initial Thoughts component (lets)…students…explore what they currently know...(then) content (is) provided in the Perspectives & Resources section. (As a result of using module)…activities & materials, students…report…they find learning the information is more fun & interesting than through more traditional modes. In the Assessment section, students have the opportunity to apply what they know & evaluate what topics they need to study further. They are encouraged to return to the module's resources to re-study content until they are able to solve the opening challenge. Modules conclude with a Wrap Up section”. Materials can be used by individuals for their own PD or by trainers (modules include PowerPoint presentations, supplementary course handouts, other resources).

Paraeducator Resource Learning Center at the University of Vermont -

Go to www.uvm.edu/~cdci/prlc to access free PD materials on 6 units: (1) Collaborative Teamwork; (2) Inclusive Education; (3) Families & Cultural Sensitivity; (4) Characteristics of Children & Youth with Various Disabilities; (5) Roles & Responsibilities for Paraeducators & Other Team Members; & (6) Paraeducators Implementing Teacher-Planned Instruction. Each unit includes a PowerPoint presentation, Knowledge Challenge/10 questions re: the topic, Learning Activities; & Related Websites. Materials can be used by individual TAs or by trainers.

The Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development (ASCD) offers various online courses. Although none are specified for TAs, Beginning Teacher courses that TAs may choose include topics such as Becoming an Effective Substitute; Classroom Management: Building Relationships for Better Learning; Conflict Resolution; Differentiating Instruction; Helping Struggling Readers; Managing Challenging Behavior; Middle School Mathematics; Successful Strategies for Literacy & Learning; Teaching Better with Technology + several others. A RI district reports TAs using this site for PD. As or 2004, the cost is $89.95 per course. Each course includes a course log for documenting PD, a course journal, course readings to download, an online learner forum discussion group & exploring the topic through an online magazine. The website has 2 lessons to familiarize the user with the site prior to signing up plus FAQs. Go to http://www.ascd.org.

The Paraeducator Learning Network (PLN)

by The MASTER Teacher, Inc. is an online PD program specifically for TAs. A RI district has found it very cost effective & flexible in offering individualized PD. It has 40 courses/mini-lessons such as those basic to TA roles & responsibilities; instructional & behavior management strategies; supporting reading, writing & math; working with students with disabilities & who have English as a Second Language. Each course has learning objectives, short readings, 10-question multiple-choice assessment, & certificate of completion. Districts access/pay for this resource based on the # of employed TAs. For example, as of 2003, if the district employs 1 to 299 TAs, the annual enrollment fee is $195. For this fee, up to 299 TAs may access any or ALL courses as often as they wish throughout the year. PLN keeps records for each TA on courses taken & date of completion – records available to both the TA & district. The Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) endorses this resource. For information & to try out a sample “course”, go to www.paraeducator.net.

Websites for Instructional Resources

The following websites do not necessarily provide professional development per se, but rather provide many resources that teacher assistants can access for their own learning or to use to support student learning under the direction of the teacher.

Math Related Web Sites
The following websites are being recommended as resources for learning about the teaching of math. Several of the sources contain lesson plans, interactive web-based tools, research articles, suggestions for further reading and links to many other helpful websites.

Access Center: Improving the Outcomes for All Children K-8
The Access Center is a national technical assistance (TA) center funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs. Their mission is to improve educational outcomes for elementary and middle school students with disabilities. A sampling of math resources include the following (there are more plus many science resources as well!):

  • Computer-Assisted Instruction and Math - This brief gives a quick overview of CAI and explains how it can be used effectively in Math classrooms.
  • Concrete-Representational-Abstract Instructional Approach - Provides an overview of the Concrete-Representational-Abstract (CRA) Instructional Approach and discusses how this intervention can be used to improve math instruction.
  • Direct/Explicit Instruction and Math - This short brief gives an overview of Direct/Explicit Instruction and explains how it can be applied to enhance math instruction.
  • Learner Accommodations and Instructional Modifications for Students with Learning Disabilities - Provides teachers with strategies to effectively teach mathematics concepts to students experiencing difficulty learning mathematics. Five sections are dedicated to a learning problem displayed in the mathematics classroom. Teachers consider the characteristics of each student and may select appropriate accommodations and instructional modifications presented in a series of charts.
  • Learning Strategies and Math - Learn the importance of Learning Strategies and how it relates to math instruction.
  • Math Problem Solving for Middle School Students with Disabilities - Focuses on teaching middle school students how to solve mathematics problems through a number of processes and strategies. Marjorie Montague also discusses Solve It!, designed to teach the necessary cognitive and metacognitive processes and strategies that good problem solvers use.
  • Strategy/Implicit Instruction and Math - This brief gives an overview of Strategy/Implicit Instruction and explains how it can be applied to enhance math instruction.
  • Student Access to Division - Explains an alternative approach to designing and implementing Math lessons to meet the needs of students with learning disabilities. In particular, an approach to teaching the concept of division, which is based on prior knowledge of place value, measurement, and partitioning, is described.

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Website provides a wealth of resources for teaching students math Pre-K to Grade 12.

  • Lessons - Lesson plans for particular grades and linked to specific math standards with step-by-step instructions and resources.
  • Standards -Of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
  • Tools - Interactive web-based tools for teaching graphs, shapes, geometry, multiplication, spreadsheets, graphs and much more.
  • Web Resources - Let's you access web resources for grades Pre-K-2; 3-5; 6-8; or 9-12 on the topics of: (1) number operations; (2) algebra; (3) geometry; (4) measurement; (5) data analysis & probability; (6) problem solving; (7) reasoning & proof; (8) communication; (9) connections; and (10) representation. Once you get to the web resource for the grades & topics you want, you will find lesson plans, activities to reproduce & use in class, online interactive activities, games, & various other tools & references.

Reading Related Web Sites - The following websites are being recommended as resources for learning about the teaching of reading. Several of the sources contain lesson plans, interactive web-based tools, research articles, suggestions for further reading and links to many other helpful websites.

  • International Reading Association features web sites, articles on literacy issues, and position statements of the International Reading Association. A wealth of professional information.
  • National Reading Panel - Research reported in the Report of the National Reading Panel has been judged to be scientifically based. The report contains many of the basic principles of teaching reading. The report is free and may be ordered at the web sites above.
  • Read-Write-Think- features a listing of IRA/NCTE standards and lessons geared to those standards. An outstanding site.
  • Partnership for Reading - will direct you to articles containing research on best teaching practices, literacy presentations, and a question and answer forum.
  • Learning to Read - provides resources for language arts and reading research. The purpose of this web site is to improve the quality of reading instruction through the study of the reading process and teaching techniques. It serves as a clearinghouse for the dissemination of reading research through conferences, journals and other publications.
  • Enchanted Learning - has a wealth of ideas and activities for working with beginning readers. There is a $20 per year subscription fee for some aspects of site. Well worth the money.
  • Reading is Fundamental - provides a variety of resources for educators and parents in both English and Spanish. The materials for educators include advice and tips, articles, books, lesson plans, web resources, activities, and information on videos, publications and workshops. In addition, each month, the site highlights a new theme for activities, advice and resources. For example, the December resources include creative and fun ideas for celebrating the holiday season with books, gift-making ideas, online activities and family resources.
  • Tackle Reading - provides a variety of reading resources including writing a book report, puzzles and crosswords, bookmarks, find a book links to various websites, reading tips, etc.

Writing Related Websites - The following websites are being recommended as resources for learning about the teaching of writing. Several of the sources contain lesson plans, interactive web-based tools, research articles, suggestions for further reading and links to many other helpful websites.

  • Writing with Writers - Students work with authors, editors, and illustrations in exclusive workshops designed to guide them in developing their skills.
  • Strategies that Work - A vast collection of resources dealing with reading and writing. Sorted by topic and grade level, primary to secondary.
  • Writing - Many web sites for teachers and students through the college level. Available are grammar, punctuation, thesaurus, and dictionary sites. Several sites on the writing process, six traits, as well as hints for writing in different genre. There are interactive writing sites as well as sites that will publish students work online. Don't skip this site if you are seriously interested in the art of writing well.
  • The P.O.W.E.R.S. of writing: Suggestions for prewriting, organizing, writing forms, editing, revisions and sharing. Resource links for several books and web sites with information on publishing and contest opportunities. This site is intended for upper elementary to middle and high school educators.
  • The ABC's of the Writing Process - Many activities and ideas for students and teachers. By clicking on any of the five steps, the writer will be taken into a world of ideas to help with writing.
  • Journalism Project - An interactive language arts and journalism project for middle school students.
  • Power Point Resource - A power point presentation on process writing appropriate for viewing by students.
  • Guide to Writing and Grammar - Site developed and provided by Capital Community College Foundation, Hartford, CT.

Access Center: Improving the Outcomes for All Children K-8
The Access Center is a national technical assistance (TA) center funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs. Their mission is to improve educational outcomes for elementary and middle school students with disabilities. A sampling of Reading/Language Arts resources include the following (there are more!):

  • Computer-Assisted Instruction and Reading - This short brief gives an overview of Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI) and explains how it can be applied to enhance reading instruction.
  • Computer-Assisted Instruction and Writing - Learn more about CAI and see how it can be used to improve writing instruction.
  • Early Reading - Learn effective techniques for improving early reading proficiency to facilitate access to the general education curriculum.
  • Writing Development - Provides an overview of writing development for children with disabilities.