Maximizing the Effectiveness of SPECIAL EDUCATION PARAPROFESSIONALS (Grades K-12)

Presented by Megan Mcgee-Heim
Outstanding Special Educator and National Presenter

Specifically Designed for Special Education Paraprofessionals, Special Education Teachers, Special Education Paraprofessional Trainers, and Administrators

Practical strategies for paraprofessionals to increase their effectiveness in directly supporting students with special needs and IEP goals across grade levels
Key collaboration strategies to build strong communication between special education teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, and support staff
Practical methods for defining and organizing roles and responsibilities in ways that make paraprofessional/teacher teams more effective
Classroom-proven instructional strategies for paraprofessionals supporting students, and management strategies for teachers who oversee them

Practical Ideas and Strategies

Maximizing the effectiveness of special education paraprofessionals is a shared goal of the paraprofessionals themselves, as well as the special education teachers and trainers who work alongside them. In this NEW seminar, outstanding special educator and national presenter, Megan Mcgee-Heim, will provide you with dozens of practical tips, tools and strategies to maximize the effectiveness of your practice. This isn't a seminar of abstract theory—it's a day of actionable ideas designed for two roles working together.

For Paraprofessionals: Hands-on techniques you can use immediately with students to help them meet IEP goals, strengthen independence, and build confidence
For Special Education Teachers or Special Education Paraprofessional Trainers: Practical methods for coaching, directing, and collaborating with paraprofessionals so they can provide the highest-quality support to students
For All: Tools for strengthening communication, clarifying responsibilities, and using AI-powered supports to save time, streamline tasks, and improve student outcomes

You'll walk away with:

Real-world strategies demonstrated through examples, activities, and video clips
A comprehensive digital handbook filled with tools and resources designed for paraprofessional-teacher teams
Fresh ideas for using AI to make communication, planning, and student support more efficient
A renewed sense of teamwork and confidence in how you and your colleagues can make a lasting impact

Whether you are a paraprofessional working one-on-one with students or a special education teacher or trainer responsible for guiding paraprofessionals, this fast-paced, high-energy day will give you powerful, ready-to-use strategies that will immediately strengthen student learning and success.

Ten Key Benefits of Attending

Expand Your Toolkit of Evidence-Based Strategies for Supporting Students With IEPs
Classroom-tested techniques paraprofessionals can use directly with students, and strategies teachers can use to guide paraprofessionals toward greater effectiveness
Adapt Curriculum and Instruction to Minimize Problem Behavior and Maximize Student Success
Learn quick, successful ways to modify curriculum and instruction—whether you're delivering support as a paraprofessional or designing the modifications as a teacher overseeing a team
Utilize the Best Strategies to Meet Individual Student Needs
Gain targeted, research-proven strategies for students with autism, ADHD, intellectual disabilities, and other learning needs—applicable both in daily paraprofessional support and in teacher planning
Support Successful Social Interactions
Strategies to help paraprofessionals facilitate peer connections and teachers to design structures that support positive, inclusive interactions
Implement Structured Teaching Methods to Clarify Student Expectations
Methods paraprofessionals can apply in the moment and teachers can model and reinforce when training or coaching their paraprofessionals
Learn Best Current Resources – Including AI Tools
Discover resources for instruction and communication, including how paraprofessionals can use AI to stay organized and how teachers can use it to provide coaching, modeling, and feedback more efficiently
Learn Tips for Communicating Effectively and Efficiently
Paraprofessionals will learn how to communicate student observations clearly and concisely, while teachers will learn how to provide direction, feedback, and ongoing support
Strengthen Executive Function Skills Critical for Success
Paraprofessionals will gain tools to directly coach students on organization, planning, and flexibility … Teachers will learn how to design supports and guide paraprofessionals in implementing them
Boost Confidence and Professional Identity in Every Role
Paraprofessionals will gain strategies that highlight their essential role with students … Teachers will gain leadership tools for maximizing paraprofessional impact … Both will leave more confident, prepared, and valued as part of a collaborative team
Receive a Comprehensive Paraprofessional Digital Resource Handbook
Each participant—whether paraprofessional or teacher—will receive a detailed digital handbook with strategies, examples, and templates to strengthen both student-facing work and paraprofessional effectiveness

Outstanding Strategies You Can Use Immediately

Here's what you'll learn:

Effective instructional techniques for paraprofessionals working directly with students in both individual and group settings
Classroom-tested ways to support students with organizational, behavioral, and academic needs, including strategies for achieving IEP goals
Easy-to-implement techniques for boosting independence and task completion
Practical sensory-based supports for students struggling with processing input
Innovative strategies for building students' coping and self-regulation skills
Methods for strengthening collaboration with teachers and related service providers
Tips on using AI as a supportive tool for paraprofessional planning, communication, and instructional support

A Message From Your Seminar Leader

Dear Colleague:

Over the years, I have seen firsthand how essential the paraprofessional–teacher partnership is in supporting students with special needs. Paraprofessionals are the ones working side by side with students every day, helping them reach their IEP goals and building the skills they need to succeed. Teachers play a vital role in guiding, coaching, and collaborating with paraprofessionals to make sure that support is targeted, consistent, and effective.

This seminar was designed for both of you—paraprofessionals and special education teachers—working together as a team. My goal is to provide strategies that strengthen your individual roles and elevate the power of your partnership. Whether you are the one directly implementing supports or the one leading and coordinating paraprofessional work, you'll find ideas here that will make your daily practice more impactful and efficient.

We will explore practical, evidence-based strategies that directly connect to IEP goals and student success. You'll discover ways to:

Use classroom-proven instructional and behavioral techniques that paraprofessionals can apply immediately.
Strengthen communication and collaboration between teachers and paraprofessionals.
Clarify roles and responsibilities so students receive consistent and meaningful support.
Leverage innovative tools, including AI supports, to help with communication, organization, and lesson support while always keeping the focus on students' needs.

This will be a fast-paced, hands-on day where you'll leave with practical tools, fresh ideas, and renewed confidence in the impact you have on students. Together, we will build strategies that highlight the powerful role paraprofessionals play and the leadership teachers provide in guiding their work.

I can't wait to spend the day with you and your colleagues as we focus on helping students with special needs thrive.

Sincerely,
Megan McGee-Heim

P.S. You'll leave with dozens of strategies and a comprehensive digital resource handbook designed to make your daily work easier, more effective, and more rewarding.

Who Should Attend

Special Education Paraprofessionals, Special Education Teachers, Special Education Paraprofessional Trainers, and Administrators

Special Benefits of Attending

Extensive Digital Resource Handbook
Each participant will receive an extensive digital resource handbook specifically designed for this seminar. The handbook includes:

Practical strategies to help paraprofessionals support students in achieving their IEP goals
Collaboration tips for stronger partnerships with teachers and staff
Effective methods for improving academic skills, behavior, and social competence
Ideas for using AI and digital resources to streamline paraprofessional support and communication
Tools to help students with special needs participate more fully in the general education setting

For in-person seminars, registrants will also receive a printed copy of the resource handbook as long as their registration is received in the BER office at least 15 calendar days before the event.

Share Ideas
This seminar provides an opportunity for participants to meet and share ideas with other special education educators interested in increasing their effectiveness in directly supporting students with special needs.

Consultation Available
Megan McGee-Heim will be available for consultation regarding your questions and the unique needs of your own program.

On-Site Training Guarantee

BER is not a booking agency that just finds a presenter who presents on the topic you requested. Rather, we only recommend highly experienced BER presenters who have consistently received outstanding evaluations from educators attending their trainings.

Consequently, we provide a strong program guarantee.

We guarantee you'll be fully satisfied or you'll owe us nothing after your on-site training event.