Conference Registration

You can contact us online or at 435-797-7272 with any registration questions.

If you need to pay using a District P.O., please complete the registration process below, then click on the Pay by Check option.  Send your Purchase Order to Connie Beck at 6526 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT  84322-6526.  We will then invoice your district for payment.

If you would prefer to print out and mail in the conference registration form or pay by money order, you can download the registration form.

Hotel and Travel Information

Hotel Information

The 2013 NRCP Conference is being held at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center.  The hotel is located at 255 South West Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah (84101).

Parking Rate is $5.00/Day

Reservations

Contact Connie Beck at 435-797-7272 if you were not able to make a reservation prior to the March 22nd NRCP Block deadline.  The direct line to the hotel is 1-801-328-2000. 

Transportation

Directions from the airport can be found here.

Shuttle Service from the airport to the Hilton Salt Lake City Center Hotel is provided through Haroon Shuttle.  The fee is $12.00 one-way.  Discounts apply for groups.

Call 1-855-316-6888 once you arrive at the airport to make arrangements for pick-up.

Internet

Internet will be provided to all guests on a complimentary basis.

Conference Experiences

Wondering whether you should attend the next conference in Salt Lake City? Here are some experiences from past attendees.

2008 Conference Pictures

First, from some Paraeducators from Meadowbrook Schools in Warwick, Rhode Island:

“We attended the National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals’ 27th National Conference from April 17 through April 19, 2008. This conference was held at the Hilton Hartford Hotel in Hartford, Connecticut.

"There were a wide variety of presentations for each session. There were 6 to 10 choices for each time slot. At times it was quite difficult to choose just one to attend, but those that we did choose were strictly educational and would be extremely important tools for us to apply at Meadowbrook School.

"The instructors and educators were knowledgeable and motivational. We left fully energized, with new insight and a renewed pride in our positions as Paraprofessionals. We learned how different School Districts in different States view paraprofessionals. We also now understand how different school systems allow the implementation of “on–line”credits for the paraprofessional in order to gain certification without the necessity for them to attend classes during school hours.

"One presenter, Ms. Cindy Meyers, provided valuable insight into the world of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Another, Jim Olsen, offered two sessions on relating topics: “Cultivating Positive Energy to Overcome Negativity and Adversity Which Can Drain Energy”; and another which shared ways that we would be able to put ourselves back in charge without undermining a child’s sense of security and self-worth. Finally, we attended an amazing session which developed into an open discussion on antisocial behavior. We were able to share ideas and strategies with a standing room only crowd of approximately 50 people. This information was invaluable."

Here is another experience from Zachary Rossetti, Assistant Professor of Elementary Special Education at Providence College:

“I think that the idea of a conference focused on paraprofessionals is incredibly important because they often are working most closely and most often with students with significant disabilities. They are ultimately responsible for actually providing the specific services outlined in student IEPs. A conference such as this recognizes this crucial role and works to prepare paraprofessionals and to alert them of the latest research and ideas around best practice. It also engenders camaraderie that helps all of us re-energize during our busy and stressful school years. I really enjoyed my first conference this past year because I met many dedicated people doing great work, especially several individuals who spoke of being the only ones in their schools or districts fighting for more inclusive supports on behalf of families and children with disabilities.

"I would recommend this conference to all professionals working with students with disabilities (especially administrators, therapists, and teachers in addition to paraprofessionals) so that they can recognize the crucial role of paraprofessionals while learning about latest research and practical classroom strategies. Further, I feel that teams of teachers, therapists, administrators, and paraprofessionals should attend together to help develop real team cohesion that can ultimately serve families and students better.

Past Conferences

Many conference presenters from past years have graciously made their presentations available online:

View paraeducator presentations from past years

Call for Papers for the 2013 Conference

Grab Your Bikes, We're Going to Utah!

31st National Conference on the Training and Employment of Paraeducators

April 18-20, 2013 in Salt Lake City, Utah at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center

Submit your Proposal Online

Submit Proposals by Friday, October 26, 2012!

Download the full Call for Papers flyer to print and share

Suggested Topics

This year we are especially interested in the following topics, but as always, we encourage proposals that expand horizons.

Research Initiatives focusing on paraeducator effectiveness, training and supervision, one-on-one use of paraeducators, or other pertinent topics.

Statewide or local initiatives to set standards and parameters for:

• Statewide assessment activities designed to meet requirements of federal legislation, i.e., Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and IDEA.
• Hierarchies of skill and knowledge competencies required to work in different levels of paraeducator positions.
• Paraeducator roles in muti-tiered interventions (RTI- Response to Intervention programs).
• Training and professional development opportunities for paraeducators and their supervisors.
• Development of effective partnerships among provider agencies, 2- and 4-year colleges, unions, and other stakeholders.

Hands on Sessions specifically designed to strengthen the on-the-job performance of paraeducators working in Title I programs, inclusive classrooms or one-on-one job assignments, home- and center-based early childhood programs, ALS/bilingual education, and vocational/transitional services.

Incentives for Retaining a Skilled Paraeducator Work Force (e.g. career pathways, credentialing flexible degree programs, collaborative articulated systems between provider agencies and 2- and 4-year colleges).

Standards and professionally developed models for preparing teachers, administrators and other supervisors to work effectively with paraeducators and direct service providers in education and other human services.

Emerging Roles for Paraeducators in occupational, speech/language, physical therapy and other disciplines.

NOTES

• LCD PROJECTORS WILL NOT BE PROVIDED BY THE NRCP.
  If you require an LCD Projector for your PowerPoint, arrangements can be made by contacting Kenny Kingsford with the Hilton Salt Lake City Center at 801-238-4892.
• Typically, the length of a session is 1-1/2 hours. However, if you require more time, please indicate your time preference and we will try to accommodate your request.
• Screens, carts and electrical switch plates will be provided in all rooms.
• Proposals that promote commercially available products, services, or programs will not be selected. Such products can be displayed in our Exhibitor/Vendor space. See exhibitor application.

Submit your Proposal Online

Because the conference is self-sustaining, it is necessary for ALL presenters to register and pay the fee.

Exhibitor Information

 

ATTENTION ALL CONFERENCE EXHIBITORS:
Join us on April 18-20, 2013 in Salt Lake City, Utah for the 31st National Resource Center for Paraeducators Conference We are expecting 500-600 paraeducators, parents, policymakers, and administrators in state and local education, personnel developers in 2- and 4-year colleges, as well as many other stakeholders and service providers. Visit www.nrcpara.orgfor more information.
Don’t   miss   this   excellent   opportunity   to   spotlight   your   products   and   materials! Register now to be included in our Special Conference Edition Newsletter where exhibitors will be featured. In this edition, we will list your business name and brief description of your products/materials. Visit the Conference Tab on our website at www.nrcpara.org and apply today!
Dates & Locations April 18-20, 2013 Salt Lake City, Utah Hilton Salt Lake City Center Hotel 255 S. West Temple Salt Lake City, Utah 84101   Check-in begins Wednesday afternoon, April 17, at 4:00 PM.  The conference begins on Thursday, April 18 and continues through Saturday, April 20.	Exhibitor Registration Table space is available at the rate of $150 per table.  A special rate of $75 per table is offered for education and non-profit organizations.   Additional A/V Equipment is available. Contact Kenny Kingsford at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center by calling 801-238-4892 for pricing and availability.
Additional Information For questions, please contact Connie Beck at 435-797-7272 or connie@nrcpara.org. Conference Information and a detailed schedule are also available on our website at www.nrcpara.org.

Download the Exhibitor Registration Form

Get Credit for Attendance

CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE

A Certificate of Attendance will be available for hours attended.  A total of 16 training hours will be available.  Certificates will be disseminated following sessions on Saturday.

UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY CREDITS*

1 Credit Hour from Utah State University will be available for $40.00.  Completion of a Credit Verification form will be required.  This will involve a short synopsis of each session attended.     Full conference attendance will be required for the credit.

ACT 48 HOURS (For Pennsylvania Attendees)*

Conference attendees who hold a valid PA teaching certificate can register on-site to earn Act 48 hours.  Act 48 hours will be awarded for 1, 2, or 3 days in any combination, 5 hours per day.  Participants must attend the entire day to earn 48 hours.  To ensure your Act 48 hours are reported correctly to PDE, please have your seven-digit Professional Personnel Identification (PPID) number with you when you arrive at the conference.

*Please note: Check in at the Conference Registration Table for ACT Hours and USU Credit Verification forms.

SCHEDULE

 Wednesday – April 17, 2013

4:00-7:30 PM - Registration

4:30-7:30 PM - State Leadership Meeting

 

Thursday – April 18, 2013                                                                                         1-30-2013

7:00 AM-5:00 PM	Registration
7:15-8:15 AM	Continental Breakfast
7:00 AM-4:30 PM	Exhibits
8:00-9:45 AM	Introduction and Welcome Introduce 60/40 Keynote Speaker:  Kevin Honeycutt Teaching “Wired” Learners

    

9:45-10:00 AM	Break
10:00-11:30 AM	Session 1: Paraeducators:  Gatekeepers to Youth Suicide Prevention Danielle Cannon & Betty Ashbaker	Session 2: Essential Elements of Math Instruction for Students with Severe Disabilities Cindy Myers
	Session 3: Using Council of Exceptional Children (CEC) Standards for Paraeducator Assessment and Professional Development Ritu Chopra & Geraldine DiPalma	Session 4: Stellar Supervision - Teachers' Experiences Supporting Supervising Paraeducators Sarah Douglas
	Session 5: Who Are They!  Who Are We?  Paras Want to Know! Ashleigh Molloy	Session 6: Increasing Praise and Student Response Opportunities with Fluency Training for Paraeducators Breda O’Keeffe
11:30 AM-1:00 PM	Lunch – (On Your Own)
1:00-2:30 PM	Session 7: A Toolbox Full of Essentials Needed for A Successful Mentor Program Valerie Stone & Kristen Heiser	Session 8: Bullying:  Relationships Make the Difference Leonard Edmonds
1:00-2:30 PM	Session 9: Decision-Making Guide for Paraeducator's Daily Practices When Working with Students with Disabilities Regina J. Moreno & Lisa Elliott	Session 10: Inclusive Practice - The Basics Cheryl Allen
	Session 11: Paraeducator's Role in RTI Screening and Progress Monitoring Tessie Rose Bailey	Session 12: Strategies For Navigating Change Jan Stivers
2:30-3:00 PM	Break
3:00-4:30 PM	Session 13: Bridging the Gap Between Communication and Behavior Erin Farrer, Emily Maxwell & Leslie Buchanan	Session 14: Climbing the Career Ladder:  Transitioning Paraprofessionals to Special Education Teachers Willie & Veronica Hepworth
	Session 15: Paraeducator Portfolios:  Showcasing Your Knowledge and Skills Carol Long & Suzanne Koprowski	Session 16: Transition Planning, Self-Advocacy and the Paraeducator Sean Glavin & Christopher Blastos
	Session 17: Working Effectively with Parents of Students with Diverse Needs:  Tips for Paraeducators Ritu Chopra & Mike Gallegos	Session 18: Is Your Student a Target of Bullying? Rebecca Turley

Friday – April 19, 2013

7:00 AM-4:30 PM	Registration
7:00-8:30 AM	Continental Breakfast
7:00 AM-7:15 PM	Exhibits

 

8:30-10:00 AM	Session 19:   Is Your District Using Paraeducators Appropriately?  Assessing the Supervision, Training and Evaluation of Paraeducators:  What  You Need to Know Kent Gerlach		Session 20:   Creating Partnerships with Families of  Young Diverse Students with Disabilities Dr. Michelle LaRocque
	Session 21:   Ethics in Special Education Classroom:  Balancing the Teacher-Paraeducator Relationship with Doing What's Right Tiffany Rodriguez		Session 22:   In Tandem:  Social Skills for Paraeducator/Teacher Teams Mary Hull
	Session 23:   Paraeducator's Role in Common Core State Standards Lauren Samet		Session 24:   Open Educational Resources for Paraeducators Anne Arendt
	Session 25:   What is RTI and What is my Role? Tessie Rose Bailey		Session 26:   PoWR Up! Supporting Children Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication Sarah Douglas
	Session 27:   Love and Logic Discipline Solutions for Difficult Students Rebecca Case		Session 28: ABC's of Seizures/Epilepsy Margo J. Thurman
10:00-10:15 AM	Break
10:15-10:30 AM 10:30-10:45 AM 10:45-11:45 AM	Introductions and Welcome: 1st Drawing  60/40 Keynote Speaker:  Martin Bates, Superintendent Granite School District
11:45 AM-1:00 PM	Lunch (On Your Own)
1:00-2:30 PM	General Session Panel:  Intervener National Credentialing:  Challenges and Accomplishments Linda Alsop & Intervener Panel Tammi Morgan    Vicki Spencer    Erin Yanez    Sandra Harbaugh    Jeanie Schmidt    Christine Jay
2:30-2:45 PM	BREAK
2:45-4:15 PM	Session 29:   Creating Relevant Learning Opportunities for Paraprofessionals Utilizing the Learning Forward Professional Development National Standards Margaret MacDonald, Donna Morelli & Janet Scialdone		Session 30:   Gear Up For the Ride of Your Life; Start the Journey from Para to Teacher Julia Lyman, Becky Morgan, Melanie Rees Dawson
	Session 31:   Increase Student Engagement in Small Groups with Hands-On Addition & Subtraction Activities Becky Unker		Session 32:   A Training and Supervision System for Early Prevention Paraprofessionals:  Lessons Learned Ritu Chopra & Geraldine DiPalma
	Session 33:  Work Life Balance for Educators:  Achievable or the Impossible Dream? Willie & Veronica Hepworth		Session 34: Understanding the Functions of Behavior and Using Visual Strategies to Bridge Communication Gaps and Improve Behavior David Villareal, Donna Villareal, & Rachael Nagle
	Session 35: Team Games:  Building Collaboration Skills - Playfully! Jill Morgan & Betty Ashbaker		Session 36: Credentialing for Paraeducators:Moving the Mountain! Anna Lou Pickett & Barbara Locker
	Session 37: Training Skilled Paraprofessionals: Bringing a Life Skills Class to a Community College to Create a Real Life Lab Joseph Davis		Session 38: Valuable Tips for Helping Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders Succeed in the Classroom Nicole Wangsgard & Valarie Larkin
4:15-4:30 PM	Break
4:30-5:30 PM	RECEPTION  2nd DRAWING 60/40
5:45-7:15 PM	Session 39:  Bullying Prevention in Positive Behavior Support Scott Ross	Session 40: Don't Look Now, YOUR Behavior is Showing!  Strategies for Working with Individuals Who Demonstrate Challenging Behaviors Jo Mascorro	Session 41: Improving Social Skills and Decreasing Disruptive Classroom Behavior with Kids with Asperger Syndrome Melisa Genaux
7:20-8:30 PM	Keynote Speaker:  Steve Saffron It’s All About Attitude-How to Build a Positive Work Climate Utah’s Outstanding Paraeducator Awards

Saturday – April 20, 2013

8:00-9:00 AM	Registration
8:00-8:30 AM	Continental Breakfast
8:00 AM-1:30 PM	Exhibits
8:30-9:15 AM	Introductions and Welcome
9:15 – 9:30AM	BREAK
9:30-11:00 AM	Session 42: Evidenced Based Instructional Techniques for Students with Intellectual Disabilities Regina Moreno	Session 43: How Paraeducators Can Instill Self-Advocacy in Individuals with Disabilities Across the Lifespan Tiffany Rodriguez
	Session 44:   Increase Student Engagement in Small Groups with Hands-On Multiplication & Division Activities Becky Unker	Session 45:   A Forgotten Population?  Assessment and Instructional Training for Students with Profound Multiple Disabilities Bob L. Morgan & Erin L. Horrocks
	Session 46: Writing Strategies that Work! Ginny Eggen	Session 47: Stress - and What To Do About It!!! Rebecca Turley
	Session 48: The Vital Role of Paraeducators in Pre-School Brenda Van Gorder	Session 49: Teaching with iPad Apps in a Life Skills Classroom Heather Weese & Kimberly Snow
	Session 50: Six Ways to Grow Self-Esteem & Empower People Steve Saffron	Session 51: Differentiated Instruction: Including All Students in the Learning Process Kit Giddings
11:00 – 11:15 AM	BREAK
11:15-12:30	Keynote Speaker:  Jo Mascorro Para Power!  Oh Yes YOU Can!  Making a Substantial Difference When Given Minimal Direction . . .</