SPECIAL EDUCATION

Seventh Annual Region 9 Paraprofessional Training Day

Six hundred and eighteen special educational paraprofessionals kicked off the school year in August by attending the training day, Meeting the Challenge at the Midwest Wireless Civic Center. The atmosphere was in high spirits when paraprofessionals renewed old friendships and got caught up on what’s been happening throughout the summer months. The keynote presentation Bridges out of Poverty, by Jodi Pfarr from aha! Process, Inc. started the morning. Paras could choose one of three breakout sessions in the afternoon, which included: An Overview of Children’s Mental Health; Hidden Rules, Language, Story and Cognition, Family Structure, Program Design; and Whoopee! Stress Management-Your personal bag of tricks. The day’s challenge ended with a meeting of each district’s special education director. We look forward to seeing new and familiar faces again next year!