National Train‑the‑Trainer Institute:
|
![]() |
Maximizing the Effectiveness of Paraprofessionals Who Work With Students with Special Needs
Strengthen the Training of Paraprofessionals in Your School or District by Developing Your Own Trainers!

Train your staff members to become skilled trainers of paraprofessionals who work with students with special needs
- The most effective paraprofessional train-the-trainer program available
- Featuring two of the nation's top paraprofessional experts, Catherine Wilson and Petra Nelson
Innovative, Video-Based, Hands-On, Train-the-Trainer Opportunity
- Acquire dozens of practical strategies to help paraprofessionals strengthen the achievement of students with special needs in-person, online and in hybrid learning environments
- Learn how to use outstanding video to demonstrate strategies in practice … Receive ALL the video to use during training in your own school or district
- Build instructional expertise among paraprofessionals for more effectively monitoring student progress and increasing independence whether working in-person or remotely
- Receive critical information on how to deliver high-quality, engaging and effective Paraprofessional training sessions
- Ideal for schools and districts looking to strengthen their training of paraprofessionals who work with students with special needs … Each potential trainer should have experience working with paraprofessionals
What’s unique about this National Train-the-Trainer Institute
- Three days of intensive training combining classroom-proven strategies and video of the strategies in action – show rather than tell your paraprofessionals what effective strategies look like when working with students with special needs in-person and online
- National Special Education Experts, Catherine Wilson and Petra Nelson will provide a comprehensive, interactive and research-based paraprofessional training preparing participants to train paraprofessionals in effective practices for working with students with special needs
- Work and collaborate in small groups with BER instructors to expand and enhance your understanding of effective strategies for paraprofessionals to use when working with students with special needs
- Gain numerous tips and ideas to prepare and deliver high-quality paraprofessional trainingwith the goal of increasing the achievement of students with special needs whether working in-person, online or a hybrid learning environment
- Unique and ideal opportunity for schools and districtsto strengthen their foundation, expand their knowledge and implement training to increase the effectiveness and impact of paraprofessionals who work with students with special needs

![]() |
![]() |
Learn and build the necessary foundation for training paraprofessional staff in effective practices
Innovative, Video-Based, Hands-On, Train-the-Trainer Opportunity
Skilled paraprofessionals are critical to the success of students with special needs across all instructional settings whether in-person or online. Participants attending will learn the key components for an effective training program for paraprofessionals which can then be delivered as a staff development framework that fits the schedule according to each school's or district's unique scheduling and training needs. The following key components are included in this three-day train-the-trainer institute.
Increasing the Effectiveness of Paraprofessionals In-Person and Online
- Guidelines for adapting curriculum and modifying instruction and assignments
- Developing a clear understanding of the importance of student independence
- Practical ways to increase student independence through the use of a "prompt hierarchy"
- Effective, easy-to-implement methods for collecting data
- Tips for developing student portfolios that reflect student progress and student needs
Working Effectively with Other Adults
- Effective instructional techniques for two adults working with students in the same learning environment
- Improving job satisfaction by taking the stress out of working in complicated, demanding instructional situations
- Tips for effective collaboration with other school staff and related service providers
Working Effectively with Students In-Person and Online
- Innovative techniques to maximize the support you give to students with special needs
- Key ways to adapt curriculum and modify instruction
- Highly effective techniques to foster and maximize student independence
- Use of a "prompt hierarchy" to improve requisite learning behaviors essential for becoming lifelong learners
- Ready-to-use approaches to reduce the intensity, frequency and duration of prompts and supports
- Use effective strategies for encouraging student participation in classroom discussions and cooperative work groups
- Key ways to avoid "giving answers" to students
- Proven ways to facilitate students' interactions and friendships with peers
- Real-life examples of techniques for fostering student independence in students with special needs
- Highly effective ways to build student confidence and self-esteem
- Outstanding suggestions for managing and improving student behaviors
Video of Strategies in Action to Demonstrate Effective Teaching Practices
- Best practices for using video to train others in-person and online
- Outstanding training tips and a resource kit to train others (each participant will receive ALL video presented at the institute to use in their own training)
Receive Comprehensive Training Resources |
|
All participants will receive a valuable package of resources including: |
|
|
|
Seminar Schedule Overview
Program Schedule: 9:00 A.M. – 3:30 P.M. (Online) Daily (Online)
Featuring_Experts_Text
![]() |
![]() |
Special Benefits of Attending
State Specific Credit:
You may be eligible for professional development credit through your state. For state specific information, please visit www.ber.org/ceus or call 1-800-735-3503.
Earn One to Four Graduate Semester Credits :
Up to four graduate level professional development credits are available with an additional fee and completion of follow up practicum activities. Details for direct enrollment with Brandman University, part of the Chapman University system, will be available at this program.
SAVE with Group Discounts
The fee is $1095 per person.
If groups of three or more register at the same time, the fee is $995 per person.
Live Online Event • Apr 14-16, 2021
About BER Live Online Events
With the current health challenges, all BER in-person PD events are currently being presented in a Live Online format:
- Outstanding Instructors
All programs are led by outstanding BER national trainers - Extensive Resource Handbooks
You'll have access to an extensive digital Resource Handbook before, during and after your seminar - Highly Interactive
You'll be able to ask questions in real time and interact with the instructor and other participants - Program Guarantee
As we have for 43 years, we guarantee the high quality of our programs. If you are not satisfied, we'll give you a 100% refund.
For more information on BER Live Online Events - click here.
