2009 National Conference

Conference Pictures Now Available!

gallery

Over 200 pictures from the conference are now available in the Conference Photo Gallery. Stop by and take a look to remember how much fun you had and/or what you can look forward to next year!

The same pictures have also been posted to our Facebook page.

Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch Conference Keynote

Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch

Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch was the Saturday keynote speaker at the National Conference this year as she shared her love, laughter and tears with us. If you ever get a chance to listen to Consuelo, do not pass it up!

Right after her Keynote address she had a table full of books in the hall that quickly sold out. For anyone who is still interested, her book is titled Journey to the Future: A Roadmap for Success for Youth.

Educating the Whole Child with 21st Century Skills

Linda Mariotti was our keynote speaker this morning and gave a wonderful presentation titled, "Educating the Whole Child with 21st Century Skills"

Paraeducators in China

smiling participants from our State Leadership Meeting

Meet Jessica Dai (parent of a child with autism), Larissa Feng (social worker) and Sophie Xie (special educator), pioneers in promoting the important work of paraprofessionals in China.

Their presentation was highlight of the State Leadership Meeting last night. They told us about two organizations- the Childrens Palace and the Special Parents Club in Guangzhou who started a non-profit Paraeducator Program to provide training for paraeducators. Lacking government funding this training is actually paid for by the parents of childrens with disabilities. We congratulate them on the work they are doing and hope to hear more from them in the future!. Their presentation is available below:

State Leadership Meeting Review

smiling participants from our State Leadership Meeting

The conference had begun and last tonight leaders from all over the country and world gathered here in Salt Lake City to discuss successes and challenges in their own states and countries, including three visitors from China.

The last half of the meeting was spent going around the room to hear about good things that were happening with paraprofessional all over the world. There was a lot of information and coordination that came really fast, but here are a few of the notes I was able to write down:

Conference Update

The 2009 National Conference begins in only 2 weeks! If you are interested in attending, but have registered yet there is still time to register.

Here are just some of the great flight deals currently available from Kayak.com

  • Round-trip from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City: $153
  • Round-trip from Albuquerque to Salt Lake City: $152
  • Round-trip from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City: $119
  • Round-trip from Washington D.C. to Salt Lake City: $178

We have an incredible lineup of sessions and some outstanding keynote speakers.

If you are wondering what there is to do outside of the conference, we have put together a page of Things to Do in Salt Lake City and have a couple of fun special events planned for the evening.

We look forward to seeing you in Salt Lake City!

Paraeducator Article from K12 Advocates

This is a great article that answers the questions, What do Paraeducators Do?, What Training Do Paraeducators Receive?, and What Standards Are There for Paraeducators?.

From the article:

Paraeducators generally work under the supervision of the teacher. "Para" means "alongside of" and, like paralegals and paramedics who assist and support lawyers and doctors, paraeducators assist and support teachers in a variety of ways.

What are Para-Educators?

2009 Conference Schedule and Special Event

schedule

The full schedule for the 2009 National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals Conference is now available! There are over 70 sessions over three days including:

  • Establishing Policies & Systems That Strengthen Teacher & Paraeducator Teams
  • The Power of Positive Relationships: Effective Behavior Management for Paraeducators by Paraeducators
  • CSI: Critical Support Interventions for Managing Difficult Behavior
  • Preparing Paraeducators to Assist Students with Autism
  • An Online System for Reducing Bullying, Improving Schools, and Connecting with Community
  • and many, many more....

You can also find the scheduling information for the Keynote Speakers, Lunch Forums and this year's Special Events.

If you have been waiting to take a look at the schedule before you register, go take a look and Register Today.

Paraprofessional News and Views

Here are a few paraprofessional news and views from around the Internet:

Thirteen Things I Enjoy About my Job

A paraeducator with a blog shares thirteen things that she likes about her job, including #5:

The job is challenging. I need to be a detective of sorts, trying to figure out, with the guidance of the classroom teachers and the Special Ed teacher, the best way to help our young people succeed.

Keynote Speakers, Newsletter and Call for Papers

Three quick updates:

  1. We have a great lineup of Keynote Speakers for the 2009 conference.
  2. We sent out a newsletter last week, you can read it here in case you missed it.
  3. A few people experienced technical difficulties in submitting their proposed conference sessions at the end of last week so we have extended the deadline for the Call for Papers to this Friday, November 21st.

Thanks- keep an eye out for more Para News coming soon!

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