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Featured Events » Paraprofessional Symposium: Elevate & Educate

Paraprofessional Symposium: Elevate & Educate

Elevate and Educate Paraprofessional Symposium banner with hot air balloon and July 23 event date

July 23, 2026

Time:
8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Cost:
Free for All Participants

Register for Workshop #364704

Registration link may open in a new tab.

Join Region 7 ESC for the Paraprofessional Symposium: Elevate & Educate 25-26, an inspiring day designed to celebrate and support the everyday heroes serving students in classrooms across East Texas. This engaging symposium will equip paraprofessionals with practical strategies, classroom tools, and meaningful resources to strengthen student success and build confidence in their vital role.

Participants will hear shared experiences from current paraprofessionals during the keynote panel session and attend breakout sessions focused on instructional support, positive behavior strategies, visual supports, and helping emergent bilingual students thrive. Whether you are new to the profession or an experienced paraprofessional looking to sharpen your skills, this symposium offers valuable learning opportunities that can immediately impact student achievement.

This symposium complements paraprofessional certification coursework by providing additional professional learning and classroom-ready strategies, though it does not lead to certification.

 

Keynote Panel
Hear real experiences and practical encouragement from current paraprofessionals in the field.

Breakout Sessions
Attend focused sessions designed to strengthen classroom support and student success.

Practical Tools
Leave with strategies you can use right away with students and teachers.

Symposium Agenda

8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Registration and New Paraprofessional Setup
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
General Session
9:40 a.m. - 10:40 a.m.
Breakout Session 1
10:50 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
Breakout Session 2
11:50 a.m. - 12:50 p.m.
Lunch on Your Own
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Breakout Session 3
2:10 p.m. - 3:10 p.m.
Breakout Session 4

*Each participant will have the opportunity to attend all sessions.

Breakout Sessions

Maximizing Student Growth: Strategies for High Impact Support

This session provides paraprofessionals with practical strategies to support and enhance academic growth for all learners, including struggling learners. Participants will explore accommodations, modifications, high-yield instructional strategies, and resources that support successful implementation of individualized student plans while creating a positive and impactful learning environment.

Pathways to Positive Behavior Supports

Explore proactive strategies for promoting positive behavior and creating supportive learning environments. Participants will learn practical techniques such as prompting, cueing, and positive reinforcement while gaining tools to encourage meaningful and lasting behavioral growth.

Superheroes: Supporting Emergent Bilingual Students

Instructional paraprofessionals are everyday superheroes who adapt to the needs of multiple classrooms and build meaningful connections with students. This interactive session will provide simple, practical strategies for supporting all learners, especially emergent bilingual students, while helping paraprofessionals strengthen their instructional toolkit.

Transformative Tools: Visual Supports for Positive Classroom Outcomes

Discover how visual supports such as schedules, cues, and graphic organizers can strengthen communication, academic growth, independence, and positive classroom behavior. Participants will leave with practical strategies for implementing visual tools that support inclusive and engaging learning environments.

Questions?

For additional information about the symposium, registration, or breakout sessions, please contact the Region 7 ESC team.