At Woodside, paraprofessionals support students year-round, providing essential guidance to help them succeed academically and personally.
A paraprofessional may work with students one-on-one or in small groups. They provide extra support during or after the end of a lesson. The STARS program offers special education to students through one-on-one or small group sessions with paraprofessionals, boosting their learning and confidence.
“I graduated from Woodside and it was an honor and a privilege to come back and work alongside my former teachers and administrators,” paraprofessional Jean Fiataugaluia said.
Fiataugaluia feels grateful and honored to work with the teachers and administrators who once taught her at Woodside.
“I have been here since 2017,” Fiataugaluia said. “Therefore seven years as of right now,”
She explained how she works with both STARS and Independent Living Skills (ILS) students, which supports students with disabilities that impair their ability to move, communicate and/or walk.
“Working closely with the students here in ILS is an honor itself,” Fiataugaluia said. “I love the stories the students share, the comical moments where they genuinely made me laugh and especially the field trips where we get to make memories.”
She highlighted the statement that working with the students is very enjoyable because of how the students are also very engaged with the staff members. She also shared an experience where it has been challenging. The student started out rough and they refused to complete their work, refused to participate and overall didn’t want to be there, and Fiataugaluia explained what she did to help the student be more engaged.
“One day, the same student realized that I played Fortnite,” Fiataugaluia said. “We both bonded over the topic and the student slowly began to trust me. From then on, they have been outstanding student both inside and outside of the classroom.”
Paraprofessional Sia Misipati shared her experience here at Woodside as a paraprofessional.
“I was a first-grade teachers’ aide for a Catholic private school, and my little sister Jeanie was here at Woodside,” Misipati said. “She told me she was hired at Woodside and said I would fit their program perfectly,”
She was hesitant about working with high school students and she also attended Woodside for her freshman and half of her sophomore year, so she wasn’t sure about coming back to Woodside. She explained what her favorite part has been working with students throughout the time she’s been here.
“My favorite part about working at Woodside High School is connecting with students and letting them know there is a safe space here,” Misipati said.
Her statement reflects both her passion for working with students and the challenges involved in her role as a paraprofessional.
“I remember a freshman who refused to do their work and wanted to show their friends they were superior to their actions,” Misipati said. “I tried to see how they preferred to learn or if there was a better place to study, like outside, the gym or the quad. Nothing seemed to budge. It wasn’t until I gave them their space and gave other students the attention I was spending on them and making connections that they learned that we had more in common than they thought we had,”
The statements indicate that giving students space when needed is often effective for those who struggle with engagement. She also explained that about a week later after that incident, the student went and apologized for what they did and said that the student goes to her and they are now inseparable.
“They come to me with questions about everything, and sadly but happily, this is their senior year. The lesson here is that everyone goes through something, and we just need to give them time to trust you,” Misipati said.
Both paraprofessional statements reveal their enjoyment and commitment to working with students, showing the personal fulfillment they find in their role.
“I also like to see [students] work on building their dreams for when they leave us for the real world,” Misipati said.
