Case Studies

Working with a paraprofessional

Lena had been teaching high school band for 15 years. Her band consistently earned Superior Ratings at festivals and competitions and was widely considered one of the best bands in the Central Tennessee Valley. Lena’s school system had undergone some changes in the past five years as more special education students were coming to her high school ( Redbird High School) for vocational and academic studies. The number of special education faculty had increased significantly and Lena was having difficulty explaining to the special educators that her band was not the place for students with moderate disabilities.

Shawn was placed in Lena’s Concert Band at the beginning of the spring semester. Lena was informed of his arrival the day before school began and he came to class with a trumpet, band book, and paraprofessional. Lena had never worked with a paraprofessional before and really saw the inclusion of the student, and another adult as a major intrusion in her already busy life. Shawn had played trumpet in another band program and seemed prepared to play; however, he missed all his cues, dropped the music off the stand twice, and laughed very loudly at other students’ mistakes. The paraprofessional sat in the back of the room and watched class. Lena was incensed and immediately called a Case Study meeting.

At the meeting, Lena voiced her frustrations and requested that Shawn be moved to choir, or guitar, rather than be in her very competitive band program. Her request was refused and as the discussion progressed, she slowly realized that it was perhaps unfair of her to insist that special education students take choir or guitar rather than band. The paraprofessional stayed after the meeting to talk with Lena. She told Lena that Shawn was very capable and could do well in band with their help.

Solutions