Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/417576
Learning Glued to her side is Angelina, a little girl who wouldn't say a word a few months ago when she arrived at the school. Now she smiles and talks haltingly with Diaz, who fondly calls her "my shadow." "I love my job," says Diaz, Sonora Elementary Employ- ees Association, a paraeducator for 17 years. "I love being with the kids. It keeps me young." People frequently tell her "you'd make a good teacher," and she considered it. But Diaz decided she'd rather have the fun of working in a school without the stress that accompanies teaching. The bell rings at 8:05, and Diaz blows her whistle to remind dawdlers it's time to get to class. She takes down the tetherballs and follows students in, ready to assist where needed. 1:15 p.m. Her school day is finished, and it's time to leave for her second job: after-school tutoring, paid for by parents. Like many paras, she's had her hours cut back due to budget cuts. Several classified positions have been lost in her district in recent years. "You have to have a passion for this kind of work," she says. "You really have to like children with special needs and be able to connect with them. They are sweet and endearing children. And nothing makes me feel better than helping them to be successful." 9:40 to 9:55 a.m. It's time for recess and it's supposed to be her break time, but kids come into the classroom to chat and have a protein bar. She asks them about their families and vacations. 9:55 a.m. to noon Diaz returns to the special education class and works with students in small groups on writ- ing, partner reading and spelling. Star stickers are handed out as rewards. Some students are fidgety, and she manages to put them back on track with a smile and a few words, such as "Sit on your bottom." She observes that sometimes her job is "bringing them back" when their minds wander from the classroom. "Some of them can't sit still, so you want to keep them focused on the next thing." 12:05 to 12:35 p.m. It's lunchtime with SEEA executive board president Sharon Manich, also a para at the school site. The new Common Core State Standards are a topic of discussion. "Yes, it's been affecting us," says Diaz. "We really need to come up with more ways to make it 'special-needs friendly.' In some ways, it's almost holding special education students back because you can't spend as much time doing remedial work. We need to get the kinks worked out." P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y S C O T T B U S C H M A N 12:40 to 1 p.m. More yard duty on the second-grade play- ground. There are more tears, disputes, validation of feelings and mediations. As the bell rings, a boy cries that no one will play with him. It's too late to do anything about it today, she tells him, but tomorrow she'll make sure the rule is enforced for flag football, which is: "Everyone plays or nobody plays." He jogs off to class. 45 V O L U M E 1 9 I S S U E 4