The People You Meet: Educational Professionals

Related: Education, School, Parents, More TagsChildren with Learning Disabilities, Fewer Tags

by Eileen Bailey
Wednesday, March 17, 2010

When you have a child with learning disabilities, chances are you spend a lot of time talking to various school personnel, from your child's teachers to classroom aides and those that attend the IEP meetings. It helps to understand who the different professionals are and what each person's duties are. The following is a list of some of the different educational professionals you will meet throughout your child's educational life.

Behavioral Specialist - Behavior specialists work with students with emotional disorders or those with substance abuse problems. They work to identify where behavioral difficulties are and develop strategies and solutions. Many times these specialists will work with both the students and parents to find strategies that can be employed at home as well as at school.  These professionals usually have a Master's Degree.

Certificated or Credentialed Employees - School employees who are required to have current teaching certificates or credentials. This would include teachers (full-time, part-time and substitute) and most school administrators.

Classified Employees - Those employees that are not required to hold teaching credentials. This would include secretaries, custodians, bus drivers, and instructional aides.

Classroom Aide - Also known as Teacher's Aide or Teacher's Assistant, these professionals do not have teacher's certification and may or may not have a college degree.  They work with the teacher, providing administrative support, such as grading papers, organization, handing out books and supplies, listen to children read, setting up equipment and other tasks as seen fit by the teacher.

Educational Consultant - Also known as an Educational Advocate, they work independently of schools and are hired by families to help in developing an IEP. They often meet with the student and parents to determine what services and accommodations are needed. They may attend IEP and other meetings at the school to make sure the student's needs are being met. Educational consultants also work with families to find outside services, schools for at-risk youth or in developing a plan for higher education.

Guidance Counselor - A guidance counselor works with students to help develop social and personal skills and helps students with behavioral issues. Guidance counselors can sometimes provide advocacy for students with special needs and can teach classes on conflict resolution, anger or drug and alcohol prevention. They may also work with students on an individual basis on any of these issues.  Guidance counselors also provide career and educational counseling, discussing financial aid, trade schools, apprenticeship programs and college choices. Guidance counselors can also be a central point of contact when monitoring whether the IEP is being followed and be an intermediary between parents and teachers.