“Deep in the belly of the school system there is a hero waiting to hear the cries of the needy and to be the champion of the children everywhere. Their name is called and they leap to action, ready to advocate, support, and encourage those who need the help the most. That hero’s name is PARAEDUCATOR!!!” This quote from Matt McNiff about his keynote speech for the 29th Annual Paraeducator Conference in 2018 presents paraeducators as an integral part of the school system. Their important contributions make it important that paraeducators receive proper training.
Project PARA is an online training program provided by the College of Education and Human Sciences with funding support from the Nebraska Department of Education. The program encourages paraeducators to interact with teachers and other paraeducators within their schools to promote communication and help build knowledge, skills, and relationships. The program is provided to schools at no cost and is an important opportunity for College outreach and a shared approach to meeting local needs.
According to Marjorie Bisbee, educational specialist for the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education, there are three areas of focus in Project PARA training: special education, early childhood, and Title I. When a paraeducator completes a program they receive a certificate of completion. Their completed courses are also kept in a file for the paraeducators, which can be viewed at any time by their employers.
“Paras are used in almost all special education, early childhood, and Title I programs, but there are not a lot of available training opportunities,” according to Dr. Al Steckelberg, associate professor of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education at UNL, and the Project PARA director. Project PARA has made it easier for schools and particularly rural schools to have access to paraeducator training. Project PARA has served more than 8,000 paraeducators and 280 schools districts in Nebraska.
Project Para has also hosted Paraeducator Conferences in Kearney, NE. This past October marked the 29th annual conference. The theme was “This Is How You Spell PARA-educator.” It highlighted the many attributes that paraeducators have to carry out their job duties. The keynote speaker was Matt McNiff, Special Education Director of Educational Service Unit #5. This conference is another great way for paraeducators to make connections that they don’t ordinarily have the opportunity to make. Project PARA has just received continued funding from the Nebraska State Department of Education, ensuring the program will continue to be available, with about 700 new paraeducators expected to sign up for training during the coming year.