Connecticut Paraeducator Conference: Creating Connections. Inspiring Growth

The Connecticut State Department of Education, in collaboration with SERC and 321 Insight, will host a full day, in person Connecticut Paraeducator Conference recognizing the essential contributions of paraeducators in our schools throughout the state. This conference is designed to elevate the paraeducator profession while offering meaningful opportunities to strengthen skills, enhance practices, and engage with colleagues.

This event will provide targeted professional learning through breakout sessions focused on Proactive Behavior Strategies, Social and Emotional Learning, Building and Sustaining Strong Partnerships with Teachers, The Classroom Environment, Educator Wellness, and High Expectations with High Support.

Agenda

8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. - Coffee/Snacks/Registration
8:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. - Plenary/Large Group Session
9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - Breakout Session A

Topics:

1. Proactive Behavior Strategies
2. Social and Emotional Learning: Teaching a Skill
3. Building and Sustaining Strong Partnerships with Teachers
4. The Classroom Environment
5. Educator Wellness: Staying Regulated in Challenging Times
6. High Expectations and High Support: Encouraging Productive Struggle

11:15 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. - Breakout Session B

• All Session A Topics will be repeated.

1:00 p.m. – Adjourn

Breakout 1: Proactive Behavior Strategies

Learning Objectives:

· To gain a better understanding of the driving forces behind all behavior

· To practice viewing challenging behavior through a new, curious lens

· To learn proactive strategies paraprofessionals can implement to prevent challenging behavior

Breakout 2: Social and Emotional Learning: Teaching a Skill

Learning Objectives:

· To deepen our understanding of the five core competencies of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

· To understand how each skill impacts students’ ability to learn

· To collaboratively create a plan to support student development of SEL skills to help them succeed

Breakout 3: Building and Sustaining Strong Partnerships with Teachers

Learning Objectives:

· To develop a greater understanding of the roles that teachers and paraeducators hold in the classroom

· To understand the level of support each needs to be effective

· To learn best practices for fostering effective teacher and paraeducator partnerships

Breakout 4: The Classroom Environment

Learning Objectives:

· To deepen understanding of some of the driving forces behind challenging behavior

· To understand how the classroom environment can impact behavior

· To learn proactive strategies educators can implement to create positive and supportive learning environments

Breakout 5: Educator Wellness: Staying Regulated in Challenging Times

Learning Objectives:

· To understand the critical role self-awareness, self-management, and self-regulation play in supporting wellness throughout the school day and beyond

· To learn strategies to support educator development of these skills

· To collaboratively develop strategies to help students build these skills

Breakout 6: High Expectations and High Support: Encouraging Productive Struggle

Learning Objectives:

· To develop a deeper understanding of what productive struggle means

· To learn how to help students approach academic learning through the lens of productive struggle

· To collaboratively develop strategies to support effective productive struggle and success