2025 New England Interstate Professional Learning Series

New England Special Education Administrator Associations present:

Promoting Independence and Reducing the Over-Reliance on 1:1 Paraeducators

February 11, March 28, & April 8, 2025

9:30am-11:30am

VIRTUAL Professional Learning Series

Presented by Patrick Mulick, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who works as an educational consultant and as the Director of Student Engagement for the Auburn School District in Washington State. As a nationally recognized speaker, Patrick has committed his work to lighting it up for all those who work with students with disabilities through a hybrid of instruction and inspiration. His resources and strategies have helped make the complex simple, equipping teachers, administrators, therapists, paraeducators, and bus drivers alike.

Session Topics:

February 11, 2025 - Session 1: Preventing the Harmful Effects of a 1:1 Paraeducator

• The role of the paraeducator in public education
• Systems for identifying how a 1:1 paraeducator is assigned
• The detrimental effects of having a 1:1 paraeducator
• Alternatives to assigning a 1:1 paraeducator
• Identifying the role of the 1:1 paraeducator
• Combating the over-reliance on 1:1 paraeducators by promoting independence

March 28, 2025 - Session 2: Strategies to Promote Independence

• Establishing a mindset of promoting independence
• Utilizing the prompt hierarchy and the 3 point prompt
• Using visual supports to replace the adults
• The use of role playing to build skills
• Utilizing student interests to maximize success
• Using visual supports to help the adults

April 08, 2025 - Session 3: Maintaining Success While Fading Back a 1:1 Paraeducator

• Working with families on promoting independence from the beginning
• The use of Independence Plans
• Supporting the independence mindset with all of the adults
• How to respond to a para request in the future
• Time for discussion related to questions/requests brought up from the first two sessions
• Inspirational ending