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SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members may change between school years so you may wish to copy this form for future use to assist you in getting to know the faculty and staff in the building. Complete the form by writing in each person’s name, where they work, and a brief note about them to help you remember them.
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SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Jan 13, 2016

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Page 1: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members may change between school years so you may wish to copy this form for future use to assist you in getting to know the faculty and staff in the building. Complete the form by writing in each person’s name, where they work, and a brief note about them to help you remember them.

Page 2: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.
Page 3: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Part 4: Body Language

Introductory AssignmentWrite the following in your journal:1) Find 3 examples of body language2) Describe what the person was doing that communicates a message.

Page 4: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Tips for Understanding Body Language

According to Dr. Albert Mehrabian, the author of Silent Messages, 50 percent of our communication cues are visual.

Page 5: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

AssignmentFind Dr. Albert Mehrabian on Wikipedia

Read pp. 1-3 about Dr. Mehrabian

Answer these questions:

1. If your words disagree with your tone of voice and nonverbal behavior, then:

a) people don’t believe you

b) people ask you to repeat yourself

c) people believe the tone and nonverbal behavior of your message rather than your words

2. T or F The nonverbal cues a person gives while speaking convey that person’s attitude towards what he/she is saying.

3. T or F Word selection or connotation is not as influential as the tone of voice a person uses.

Answers: 1. c 2. T 3. T

Page 6: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Dr. Albert Mehrabian: Three elements of communication

There are three elements in any face-to-face communication: 1) words, 2) tone of voice, and 3) nonverbal behavior (e.g., facial expression).

“If words disagree with the tone of voice and nonverbal behavior, people tend to believe the tonality and nonverbal behavior.”

Write the following in your journal:

What is meant by Dr. Mehrabian’s quote?

Source: Mehrabian, Albert (1971). Silent Messages (1st ed.)Belmont, CA: Wadsworth

Page 7: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Dr. Albert Mehrabian:7%-38%-55% rule

7% - words

38% - tone of voice

55% - body language

“For effective and meaningful communication about emotions, these three parts of the message need to support each other – they have to be ‘congruent.’”

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Mehrabian

Page 8: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Verbal and nonverbal messagesjournal

Do these two messages “go together” or have congruence?

Verbal: “No, I am not upset with you!”

Nonverbal: The same person demonstrates closed body language, avoids eye contact and looks anxious.

Write responses to the following in your journal:

Do you think I am upset with you? Why?

How is my verbal message not supported

by my nonverbal body language?

Page 9: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

According to Orey and Prisk,the 7 messages below are frequently conveyed by body language.

1. Feeling skeptical or defensive

2. Making a decision

3. Listening with interest

4. Making an evaluation

5. Feeling excitement or optimism

6. Making a surprising revelation or evaluation

7. Feeling anxiety

Adapted from: Orey, M., Prisk, J. (2004) Communication Skills TRAINING, ASTD Press

Page 10: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

According to Orey and Prisk, the 7 types of body language below convey different messages:

1. Standing or sitting with tightly folded arms and crossed feet

2. Chin stroking

3. Cheek resting on fist, index finger pointing up

4. Hands clasped at chin, elbows on table

5. Rubbing hands together

6. Holding hand over mouth

7. Chewing tips of fingers

Page 11: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Do the people in these pictures convey #6 on the list of body language messages?

Page 12: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Do these pictures convey #6 on the list: surprising revelation or evaluation?

Answer: YES #6

Page 13: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Which message (#1-7) does this body language convey?

Page 14: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Which message (#1-7) does this body language convey?

Answer: #1 Feeling skeptical or defensive

Page 15: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Given #1-7, which message does this body language convey?

Page 16: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Given #1-7, which message does this body language convey?

Answer: #2 Making a decision

Page 17: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Which message (#1-7) does this body language convey?

Page 18: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Which message (#1-7) does this body language convey?

Answer: #5 Feeling excitement or optimism

Page 19: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Given the 7 messages conveyed by body language, which one is conveyed in these

pictures?

Page 20: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Given the 7 messages conveyed by body language, which one is conveyed in these

pictures?

Answer: #7 Feeling anxiety

Page 21: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Which of the pictures below convey message #3, listening with interest?

Figure 62 Figure 64Figure 61

Page 22: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Which of the pictures below convey message #3, listening with interest?

Answer: Figures 62 and 64 convey #3 Listening with interest

Figure 62 Figure 64Figure 61

Page 23: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

What message does this body language convey (#1-7)?

Page 24: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

What message does this body language convey (#1-7)?

Answer: #4 Making an evaluation

Page 25: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Reflection assignment:Write a reflection response

Choose an example of body language which you find offensive, annoying or rude.

Describe it.

How did you react to the message? Why?

Page 26: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Body Language: How to read others’ thoughts by their gestures

“As a young boy, I was always aware that what people said was not always what they meant or were feeling and that it

was…”

by Allan Pease

Page 27: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Face-to-Face Encounter

The “ability to read a person’s attitudes and thoughts by their behavior was the original communication system used by humans

before spoken language evolved.”

Source: Pease, A. (1992) Body Language: How to Read Others Thoughts by Their Gestures. Sheldon Press

Page 28: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Take a Closer Look: “FOLDED ARMS” gesture

Source: Pease, A. (1992) Body Language: How to Read Others Thoughts by Their Gestures. Sheldon Press

Page 29: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Self-Awareness Activity

journalFind 30 minutes today to pay attention to your own behavior. What did you do? What body language did you demonstrate? What message did you send to the people around you through that body language.

Page 30: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Perceptiveness, Intuition and Hunches

1.”his or her ability to read another person’s nonverbal cues and compare these cues with verbal signals”

2. “when we say that we have a ‘hunch’ or ‘gut feeling’ that someone has told us a lie, we really mean that their body language and their spoken words do not agree”

Page 31: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Hunches

How do you “get a hunch” that your audience is not paying attention to you?

Page 32: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Create a Caption Activity

Write a caption for each of the two pictures shown in the next slide. Make it a “cartoon bubble” or a serious caption that fits the dialogue, nonverbal signal, and/or communication you believe is taking place between the man and woman.

Write in your journal:

“cartoon bubble” or serious caption to

fit the communication between the man and

woman in the two pictures on next slide.

Page 33: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Intuition

Women have an innate ability to pick up and decipher nonverbal signals. Verbal communication and nonverbal signals are paired in these pictures.

Page 34: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Part 5: ListeningFour powerful listening skills:

1. ASK: Start by simply expressing interest in the other person’s views.

2. MIRROR: Respectfully acknowledge the emotions people appear to be feeling.

3. PARAPHRASE: As others begin to share part of their story, restate what you’ve heard to show not just that you understand, but also that it’s safe for them to share what they are thinking.

4. PRIME: If others continue to hold back, prime. Take your best guess at what they may be thinking and feeling.

Source: Patterson, K., Grenny, J. McMillan, R., and Swtizler, A. (2002). Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High. McGraw Hill

Page 35: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Listening is a Skill

Improve your listening skills in the workplace to…

avoid conflict and misunderstandings

Page 36: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Do we listen?

Dismal fact?

Are you hearing the whole message?

Did you get the important facts?

Page 37: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

10 Tips for Listening 1. Face the speaker.

2. Maintain eye contact

http://powertochange.com

Page 38: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

10 Tips for Listening

3. Minimize external distractions.

4. Respond appropriately.

5. Focus solely on what the speaker is saying.

http://powertochange.com

Page 39: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Tip

Tip: If you’re finding it particularly difficult to concentrate on what someone is saying, try repeating their words mentally as they say

them – this will reinforce their message and help you stay focused.

Source: www.mindtools.com

Page 40: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

10 Tips for Listening

6. Minimize internal distractions.

6. Keep an open mind.

7. Avoid letting the speaker know how you handled a similar situation.

http://powertochange.com

Page 41: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Tip

Tip: If you find yourself responding emotionally to what someone said, say so,

and ask for more information. “I may not be understanding you correctly, and I find

myself taking what you said personally. What I thought you just said is XXX; is that

what you meant?”

Page 42: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

10 Tips for Listening

8.Provide feedback.

9. Engage yourself. Ask questions for clarification, but, wait until the speaker has finished. That way, you won’t interrupt the other person’s train of thought. After you ask questions, paraphrase the other person’s point to make sure you understood. Start with: “So your are saying…”.

Source: http://powertochange.com

Page 43: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Tip

Treat the other person as you would want to be treated. Show respect. Then reflect.

Page 44: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Use of Mnemonic Device for Listening Skills

S.O.L.E.R.

Squarely face the person

Open your posture

Lean towards the sender

Eye contact maintained

Relax while attending

Page 45: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Review Tips for Listening:Paraphrasing

What?

Restating a message, but using fewer words.

Why?

To test your understanding of what you heard.

To communicate that you are trying to understand what is being said.

Page 46: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Example of Paraphrasing

Sally: “I don’t understand; one minute she tells me to do this, and the next minute to do that.”

Jenny: “She really confuses you.”

Student: “I really think he’s a nice guy. He’s so thoughtful and kind. He calls me a lot.”

Mrs. J: “It sounds like you like him very much.”

Page 47: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Review Tips for Listening:Clarifying

What?

Process of bringing vague material into sharper focus.

Why?

To get more information.

To help the speaker see other points of view.

To identify what was said.

Page 48: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Examples of Clarifying

Tom: “I’m confused, let me try to state what I think you were trying to say.”

OR

Tom: “You’ve said so much, let me see if I’ve got it all.” blah blah blah

Page 49: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Review Tips for Listening:Summarizing

What?

Pulling together and organizing major aspects of your conversation.

Why?

To establish a basis for further discussion

Pull together major ideas and facts

Page 50: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Barriers to Listening

I’m in a hurry

I’m distracted by what’s around me

I’m bored

I’m thinking about what I’m going to say

I’m out of my comfort zone

I’m daydreamingSource: I Wish I Knew What to Say When…: Communication Strategies for Difficult Situations.

Marilyn Friend, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 18 th Annual Inclusion Works conference, February 25, 2011

Page 51: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

More Barriers to Listening

I know what the speaker will say

I want it repeated

I’m on mental overload

I’m not responsible for the information

I’m tired

I’m confused by the topic or speaker

Page 52: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Part 6: Careful Communication in the Workplace

1. Remember that the only person you can directly control is yourself.

2. When you’ve clearly violated respect, apologize.

Source: Patterson, K., Grenny, J. McMillan, R., and Switzler, A. (2002). Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High. McGraw Hill

Page 53: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Control Yourselfjournal

1. The only person you can directly control is yourself.

2. Work on yourself first

3. Start with the heart

Source: Patterson, K., Grenny, J., McMillan, R., and Switzler, A. (2002). Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High. McGraw Hill

Page 54: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

What are crucial conversations?

Page 55: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Apologize

When you have clearly violated respect, then you should apologize.

1.Do others believe you care about their goals, opinions or views?

2.Do others believe you respect them?

Page 56: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

STATE my MessageShare your facts. Start with the least controversial, most persuasive

elements.

Tell your story. Explain what you are beginning to share.

Ask for others’ to share. Encourage others to share both their facts and their stories.

Talk tentatively. State your story as a story, don’t disguise it as a fact.

Encourage differing views. Make it safe for others to express differing or even opposing views.

Source: Patterson, K., Grenny, J. McMillan, R., and Swtizler, A.

(2002). Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When

Stakes are High. McGraw Hill

Page 57: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Sharing Your Views

ABC’s of sharing your views:

Agree. Agree when you do.

Build. If others leave something out, agree where you do, then build.

Compare. When you do differ significantly, don’t suggest others are wrong. Compare your two views.

Source: Patterson, K., Grenny, J. McMillan, R., and Swtizler, A. (2002). Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High. McGraw Hill

Page 58: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Day to Day Conversations

What makes a conversation crucial?

1.Opinions/views may vary

2.Stakes are high

3.Emotions run high

Source: Patterson, K., Grenny, J. McMillan, R., and Swtizler, A. (2002). Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High. McGraw Hill

Page 59: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Which word would you choose?journal

bizarre

peculiar

weird

strange

unusual

odd

unique

Page 60: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Which word would you choose?journal

“Your child was acting ridiculous today!”

ridiculous

pathetic

idiotic

absurd

ludicrous

Page 61: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Which word would you choose?

apathetic Lazy carelessinattentive

lethargic neglectful unconcerned tired

unenergtic procrastinating loitering slow

sluggish unhurried

slow-moving listless unemotional

Page 62: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

“Your child was acting crazy today.” journal

“How would you feel if someone called your child “crazy” or used the word “crazy” to describe your child.”

berserk crazy

demented psycho

mad insane certifiable

lunatic ape cuckoo cracked

Page 63: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Which label would you choose?

Juvenile delinquent

Brat

Troubled child

Troublemaker

Rebel

Page 64: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Using labels in conversation

Mark is a juvenile delinquent.

Matt is a brat.

Kristen is a bizarre child.

Cathy is pathetic.

Patrick is a rebel.

Page 65: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Messages for Good Communication with Parents

1. Mutual respect between the school and family

2. Shared responsibility for student success

3. Mutual goals for students

4. Academic progress

5. Positive self image

6. Appreciation for learning

7. Development of appropriate social skills

8. Preparation for transition to adolescence and adulthood

Source: Family-Teacher Partnerships, Minnesota Parent Center, Pacer Center, Minneapolis, MN

Page 66: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

What is the parent saying?

1. Remember, understanding information does not mean everyone agrees

2. Be willing to discuss different points of view

3. Understanding other perspectives is critical

4. Be open to compromise

5. Avoid hasty judgments, decisions and actions

Source: Family-Teacher Partnerships, Minnesota Parent Center, Pacer Center, Minneapolis, MN

Page 67: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Cultural Aspects of Communication

1. Language barriers may exist

2. Educational concerns or priorities may vary

3. Minority and low-income families may be treated differently

Source: Family-Teacher Partnerships, Minnesota Parent Center, Pacer Center, Minneapolis, MN

Page 68: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Cultural Aspects of CommunicationCross-cultural communication skills:

1. If words are used differently between languages or cultural groups, however, even active

listening can overlook misunderstandings.

2.Active listening can sometimes be used by repeating what one thinks he or she heard.

Source: http://www.colorado.edu/conflict/peace/treatment/xcolcomm.htm

Page 69: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Cultural Aspects of CommunicationPotential Barrier

Beliefs

Students with non-English-speaking parents are less likely to be successful.

Asian American students are more likely to excel academically.

Low-income Hispanic/Latino families do not place high priority on education.

Low-income or single parents not likely to be as involved in child’s education.

African American students often need special special education services.

Native American students are thought to be more unreliable.

Source: Family-Teacher Partnerships, Minnesota Parent Center, Pacer Center, Inc. Minneapolis, MN

Page 70: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Effective Communication with Parents

1. Ask questions to help you clarify what parents tell you.

2. Don’t assume that you understand.

3. Summarize statements and wait for a confirmation.

4. Remember, understanding information does not mean everyone agrees.

5. Be willing to discuss different points of view.

6. Understanding other perspectives is critical.

7. Avoid hasty judgments, decisions, and actions.

Source: Family-Teacher Partnerships, Minnesota Parent Center, Pacer Center, Inc. Minneapolis, MN

Page 71: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Cultural Beliefs and Expectations1. Importance of education

2. What student should be learning

3. Role of educator

4. Role of student

5. Cultural styles of communication

6. Cultural customs and behaviors

7. Styles of conflict

Source: Family-Teacher Partnerships, Minnesota Parent Center, Pacer Center, Inc. Minneapolis, MN

Page 72: SCHOOL CONTACT LIST If you are just starting a new position as a paraprofessional, it is important that you get to know your team members. Staff members.

Cross-Cultural Communication

Create a respectful and nonthreatening environment for everyone:

Be aware of words, images and situations that suggest that all or most members of a racial or cultural group are the same.

Avoid using racial identification except when it is absolutely essential to your communication.

Avoid language that has questionable racial or ethnic connotations.

Be aware of the rules for attentiveness during conversation.

Be aware that objects, characters, and symbols may reflect different beliefs or values for different groups.

Be aware that cultures may vary in what they consider humorous or taboo.

Cultures may use different standards for loudness, speed of delivery , silence, attentiveness and time to respond to another’s point of view.

Source: Family-Teacher Partnerships, Minnesota Parent Center, Pacer Center, Inc. Minneapolis, MN