Mrs A and Lucca

In honor of Paraprofessionals Day 4/2, we are grateful to Aimee Cleffi for writing and sharing this guest post.

Our son, who has autism, began kindergarten in a school setting for the first time in the fall of 2023. We learned rather quickly that Lucca’s support needs differed from his peers. He is one of those kids who didn’t quite fit in the General Education classroom without support, but a special education classroom wasn’t the right fit either. Getting a para can be difficult, but not impossible!

Finding the right fit for a para can be so tricky! For it to truly work, personalities have to match and there needs to be a mutual understanding of respect between the student and the para. Could you imagine spending an entire school day with someone who just wasn’t the right fit? It would make for a LONG day and sometimes would counteract any plans in place. Thankfully, 3 months ago, Mrs. A entered Lucca’s life!

What does his Para do? On paper, Mrs. A supports him with transitions across all settings within the school. For a while, Lucca was an “eloper”, so safety was the main reason he received a para. Mrs. A helps redirect Lucca while working on tasks. She is there to help him if he needs assistance with his work, and helps his teachers out with him however possible. Mrs. A helps implement his IEP (Individual Education Plan) and behavior plans, as well as the dreaded taking the data (if you know, you know!). But Mrs. A is SO much more than that!

Mrs. A is an answered prayer! It is so difficult to send your child to school every single day, when he cannot tell you a single thing about his day. Lucca has words but cannot carry a full conversation. In answer to a question of “Who did you see today?”, he sometimes says a name, but that staff member wasn’t actually there that day. Mrs. A has been our “eyes” at school. She sends daily reports home letting us know about his day. And if it is something concerning, or even if she just wants to bounce an idea off of us, she will get in contact. This level of support alleviates mom and dad being stressed out all day, wondering how his day is going. I recently realized that when I drop him off in the morning, I no longer do a million double takes to see if he’s going in and if there is a struggle. This is a level of trust that only God can provide!

A great para listens with more than their ears, they listen with their heart! Seeing the child for who they are. Outside of the diagnosis. They will see their potential and push them in a positive way. They support their student in the way they need to be supported, which can change at any given moment. Knowing how to distinguish between a “bad day” and a “bad kid”, is something a great one can do! She is able to move beyond, not take it personally, and truly support Lucca through whatever he may be struggling with.

A great para learns the ins and outs of their student. What they like to eat, or what they find repulsive. What sensory techniques work, and which ones make things worse. They learn where the child struggles, and where the child soars! She knows when to  do things like play their favorite song to help connect and encourage them. After a while, they truly become an expert on all things about their student. Dare I say, better than us as parents at times!

A great para, is the difference in education for some students. And Lucca is one of those students! Her support proves just how smart we always knew he was, but just couldn’t seem to get out of him all of the time in school. Since joining his team, Lucca has been thriving in all aspects of his education. Their bond plays a big role in that. She respects him, he respects her. When we mention her name at home, or show him a picture, the smile that comes across his face as if to say “she’s my person”!

I could go on and on about what a great para is or does. And how wonderful and life changing Mrs. A has been for Lucca! But at the same time, I find it difficult to find the proper words to get to the depths of just how life changing it has been for us. For Mrs. A, and all paras out there: THANK YOU! You are angels on earth, and we thank God daily for your work with our Lucca and students like him! Happy Paraprofessionals Day! Today, and every day, we thank you for loving our babies as your own!