Rye Lake Teacher Aides Gain Skills in Fostering Student Independence

Fostering student independence is a critical skill that all teacher aides should have in their toolbox. It enables them to support students with special needs in developing the necessary life skills to thrive in the classroom and beyond. As such, SWBOCES Center for Professional Learning & Curriculum Support recently continued their training series with a session on Fostering Student Independence at the Rye Lake campus.

Led by Elizabeth DellaBadia, Supervisor of Teaching, Learning, and Student Support, the training session focused on strategies for setting achievable goals, creating a safe and supportive learning environment, and using positive reinforcement to motivate students. 

"The ultimate goal is to help students develop the skills they need to become independent and successful adults," said Ms. DellaBadia. "By fostering their independence in the classroom, we are setting them up for success in the real world."

The interactive training session allowed teacher aides to engage in discussions and share their experiences, creating a supportive and collaborative learning environment.

Another important aspect of the training session was the discussion of the role of the aide in promoting independence. Aides were reminded that their role was to provide support and assistance when needed, but also to allow students to take risks and make mistakes. Ms. DellaBadia emphasized that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process and should be seen as opportunities for growth and development.  

"By equipping teacher aides with these important skills and strategies, we are not only setting students up for success, but we are also empowering teacher aides to feel confident and effective in their role," added Ms. DellaBadia. 

Attendees left the session with a solid understanding of the strategies and tools needed to foster student independence in the classroom. The training was a great investment in the professional development of teacher aides, and it will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the students they work with. 

The professional learning series will continue with the third and final session on mindfulness techniques, which will be held at the SWBOCES Valhalla campus.