Tanika Fields

Tanika Fields is a new transition paraprofessional at Brookline High School.  She was born in Boston, but has lived in several places around the U.S.  Fields had previously worked at Devotion for three years with grades K-4.

At what point did you start thinking about teaching as a career?

“It was mainly from my personal experience. I have relatives in my family that had some form of disability. Some of them had learning disabilities, and I needed speech therapy at some point.  Just having that group of people that was really supportive helped with my self esteem and just not feeling like an outcast because you tend to learn in a different way than others. So, I would definitely say personal experience gave me that idea like, ‘wow, you know, there could possibly be other people like myself or the people in my family, and this could be something I could see myself doing down the line’.  It makes a difference when someone hears your story, or experience, that is very similar to theirs, to the point where they don’t feel left out, or feel like, ‘Wow, I guess I’m not completely different after all’. 

Is there anything you’re excited or nervous about coming to BHS?

“I’m excited because I’m accepting a new challenge, working with a different population, which is pretty cool.  A little nervous as far as being able to really bond and connect with the older students.  I know there is a big difference as far as working with younger kids compared to working with the oldest, but I think as the days and the weeks progress and stuff, I feel like I will definitely transition smoothly into BHS.”

Could you tell me about the basics of being a transition paraprofessional?

“I basically provide support in resume building, knowing about how to go searching for jobs, and getting clarification of what the job consists of.  I’ve already been going on little field trips, going to students’ work sites and college campuses.  For those that go to college, I support the application process, test preparation, a lot of things that go hand in hand with everything.  Basically I’m the job coach.”