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Paraeducator Conference
2024 Paraeducator Conference sees record attendance
The 27th Annual Paraeducator Conference closed with a drawing full of giveaways for attendees to win.
The CSEA Paraeducator Conference is an annual fixture in Ontario, Calif., welcoming paraeducators from California and other states to learn, socialize, and celebrate being paras.
This year’s 27th edition of the conference saw a record number of attendees with over 1,300 paraeducators walking through the doors of the Ontario Convention Center. This year, attendees were treated to 74 classes taught by 37 presenters.
“You’re among, for lack of a better term, your own...All of us are in the battle together.”
- Alex Soto of Salinas Chapter 149
Over three days, paraeducators were able to attend classes on topics that ranged from CPR training, to financial and resume building, to use of pronouns and identification, and techniques for communicating with students in the classroom.
The opportunity to take new knowledge back to the classroom and spend time around so many other people who know exactly what they go through at work is what makes paraeducators return year after year.
It’s particularly special for those who attend for the first time and get to see everything they’ve heard so much about in person.
Kaiser Permanente's interactive Rise UP! Mental Health and Resilience Program returned in 2024 and was once again a hit with attendees.
“It was more than I expected,” said Severiano Valenzuela from Brawley 335. “That was one of the parts I liked the most. You get to socialize and share experiences and feelings outside of your work environment. You can have somebody know what you’re going through and doing, give advice.”
The feeling of togetherness and collaboration is a common theme heard throughout the week at each Paraconference.
“You’re among, for lack of a better term, your own,” Alex Soto of Salinas 149 explained. “All of us are in the battle together. More often than not when we’re explaining certain situations, we get what they’re talking about within the first sentence. Being amongst that and being able to share our experiences, it helps us learn even more. That is just absolutely amazing to be able to experience.”
The Paraeducator Conference will return to the Ontario Convention Center next year, March 11-13, 2025.
This year's Paraeducator Conference was the first in-person conference since 2019
