Paraprofessionals: Helping hands in crowded classrooms

Paraprofessionals such as Debbie O’Boyle and LuAnn Servo often are the “unsung heroes” in schools, according to kindergarten teacher Amy Grigoletti at Elrod School in Kalispell.

This week was proclaimed Paraprofessional Recognition Week by the state Office of Public Instruction.

There are 29 instructional and 42 special education paraprofessionals in Kalispell Public Schools.

Paraprofessionals are more than teacher aides and tutors — they monitor hallways, supervise lunchrooms and playgrounds and assist in school offices and libraries.

In Grigoletti’s classroom, O’Boyle’s duties range from working with small groups to one-on-one tutoring to any other help for the teacher.

“They are another person in the classroom to assist kids,” Grigoletti said. “They are indispensable, especially since our classroom numbers are so high.” 

On Wednesday, O’Boyle and Servo were in two different classrooms helping students with small-group guided reading.

“Put your finger under the first picture word and let’s read,” O’Boyle said to Grigoletti’s kindergarteners who are reading a story about a farm. As they read along, students follow by putting their fingers on dots underneath each word. They all read aloud: “I see and hear the pig.”

O’Boyle then asked, “What did Old MacDonald have on the farm?”

“Pigs,” her group replied in unison.

O’Boyle says her role in the classroom is to assist with whatever teachers need. She became a paraprofessional in 1993 after substitute teaching in the district for five years.

“I love kids. Every day you learn something new from them. They’re so happy. The future is bright, let me tell you,” O’Boyle said.

Once she steps inside the school, it’s hard to have a bad day, she said.

“It’s the best feeling you can have helping a child because you know that’s going to make their future better and brighter,” O’Boyle said.

In Brent Benkelman’s kindergarten classroom, Servo’s students are reading about a flower garden. Servo has been a paraprofessional in the district for 16 years. Her mornings often begin as a crossing guard helping students cross the street safely.

“I love the kids and the interaction,” Servo said, noting her part in helping children succeed during the school day.

When students approached Servo to answer a question about matching a word to a picture, she reminds them to sound out each word using the tips they learned in class.

“You can see it in their eyes when they actually get something,” Servo said.

Benkelman said paraprofessionals can provide that extra dose of review for areas in which students struggle.

He echoed Grigoletti’s sentiment about large class sizes making the paraprofessionals’ role even more necessary. He used literacy center activites as an example.

“If it was just me by myself, I would have one adult center and three independent centers, but having an extra aide I can have two adult-supervised centers and two independent centers,” Benkelman said, noting that adult-led centers may provide more meaningful instructional activities for students at this age.

Safety also is a key role for paraprofessionals.

“A big part of their role is to make the classroom environment safe and the playgrounds safe, providing extra help in the hallways and in the lunchroom,” Benkelman said.

Elrod Elementary paraprofessionals will be recognized later this month with a special breakfast.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.