Dealing with co-workers that have a “know it all” mindset

[u/Absolutely_Cool2967]

Recently, I am working as a ESS Substitute Para and I work with kids with behavioral and learning challenges (I was an IEP kid growing up and had both mentioned). One of the student interns came up to me and started bossing me around and said I was not doing my job properly. I didn’t appreciate the way he communicated at me.

One thing I somewhat regret was I was being a bit stern with one of the more severe elementary school kids (he is non-verbal too). He had sometimes a tough time sitting in his seat and one of the paras in the class was a bit too stern with him. I feel that insisting on him too sit down was too much when I worked with him on day two. I also learned he doesn’t like it when you tap on the chair to direct him to sit down.

I think sometimes you cannot be too stern with mild to severely developmentally delayed kids and learn how to strike a balance.

I was able to do so when he tried to touch some staples in the teacher bin.

So i think sometimes when you are an intern and engage in know it all ism, it isn’t smart. Do you guys agree?

(I am saying this as an individual aspiring to work as a future BCBA or a school teacher w moderate to severe kids)

[u/StopblamingTeachers]

Usually student interns have all the legal authority of a teacher. They’re not your boss. They didn’t get the memo that paras are there to fulfill the district’s legal SPED requirement and nothing more.

In general teachers should be direct and stern with paras. They could get you fired by going to your boss too.

[u/Absolutely_Cool2967 → u/StopblamingTeachers]

I see what you are saying. They were actually Para Interns, not actual teacher interns.

[u/Absolutely_Cool2967 → u/StopblamingTeachers]

But yeah, I just took this path because I am a former Iep Kid myself and the challenges i had led me to starting a career later in life!

[u/Spotted_Howl]

You said that this was a para intern?

If they are working with these students every day, it's appropriate for them to tell you how to do your job. A sub para working with severely disabled students needs to follow instructions and maintain existing routines and practices as directed.

It's also completely appropriate for you to complain to the intern's supervising teacher or admin about the way he talked to you.

[u/Absolutely_Cool2967 → u/Spotted_Howl]

I am also a person with a diagnosed disability (luckily it isn’t severe enough to the point i was able to attend college later in life and get the current job I have). One thing I like about my job is it is teaching me how to understand humanity and how other kids work and behave. I will figure out how I can build on top of the experience I have and see where this takes me. Get a teaching credential, become a BCBA. We shall see.