A Paraprofessional Takes the Survivor Challenge

Tuesday September 30, 2008

Outwit. Outplay. Outlast.

That's the motto of CBS's Survivor, now playing out its 17th edition in the African nation of Gabon. It's also, I'm guessing, the way some paraprofessionals feel as they make their way through the school day, dealing with teachers and students and situations that they are often not trained to handle and certainly not paid enough for. The paras my kids have had over the years -- and we've been lucky to have some great ones -- have generally had to rely more on their own personal experience and wits than on the administration that hired them.

That should give a pretty decent Survivor skill-set to Susie Smith (above right), a contestant in the Gabon challenge that started last Thursday. CBS's bio lists her occupation as "Hairdresser," but the National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals has claimed her as one of its own. The NRCP cites a Des Moines Register article which reveals that in addition to doing hair in her home salon, Smith "works as a para-educator in the resource room at Lincoln Elementary School." The paper adds that "she tried out for the show because she wanted to achieve something for herself while showing her students and others that all it takes to transform life is to try."

In this case, to try eating strange things, tolerating difficult people, engaging in ill-advised and possibly dangerous activities, and manipulating your teammates to ensure your survival. Not that different from what I've heard school staff complaining about having to do on any given day.

At least with Survivor, you know that at some point it will be over.

Smith is actually back in Iowa now, but sworn to secrecy until her fate is revealed as the episodes air. I'm not one to watch much reality TV, but I'll be rooting for Smith to hold up the banner for paraprofessionals. Did you watch this week's Survivor? Share your thoughts on Smith's chances in the comments.

Photo: Susie Smith, during the first episode of SURVIVOR: GABON - EARTH'S LAST EDEN Thursday, Sept. 25 (8:00 - 9:00 PM ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo by Monty Brinton/CBS ©2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.