Para World: A SPED Paraeducator Conference 2026 (Marble Falls)

Beyond the Label: Supporting Students In the Classroom

Monica Kurtz, Debbie Tannos

This professional development course equips educational paraprofessionals with actionable skills to support students with diverse learning needs. Participants will explore the unique characteristics of Emotional Disability (ED), Autism (AU), and Other Health Impairments (OHI). Attendees will gain practical, evidence-based tools to foster academic success, manage behavior, and promote classroom success.

Effective Data Collection Methods and Supporting Students for Post-School Success

Chris Nelson

In the first half of this session, participants will learn about and practice effective data collection methods to include duration, frequency, and interval recording. The second half of this session will be devoted to an exploration of student activities and opportunities spanning grades PK-12 that can support positive post-school outcomes in the areas of education, employment, and independent living.

Enhancing Teaching Routines Using Task Analysis

Maryteresa Tracy, Angelica Lopez

Enhance everyday teaching routines with the power of task analysis in early childhood and primary classrooms. This session will explore how breaking skills into manageable steps can support young learners in building independence, confidence, and success across daily routines. Participants will learn practical strategies to embed task analysis into instruction and differentiate for learners.

Make It, Take It, Use It: Practical Visual Supports for Students

Emily Johnson, Erin Terrell

In this hands-on session, participants will create simple, low-prep visual supports they can immediately use in their classrooms. Explore practical strategies for increasing student independence, improving communication, and supporting engagement across settings. Leave with ready-to-use tools and ideas that make a real impact the very next day.

Para Strong (Keynote)

Dr. Paula Freeman, Ph. D.

Rita Pearson once said, “Every child deserves a champion.” In this keynote address, we will honor the heart, resilience, and daily impact of paraprofessionals in Texas schools. Through meaningful stories, practical stress-reduction strategies, and moments of reflection and celebration, participants will reconnect with the value they bring to students, teachers, and school communities every day. This session acknowledges the unique challenges paraprofessionals face while cultivating renewed courage, purpose, and sustainable wellness practices to continue their essential work with confidence and care.

Practical Communication Facilitation Ideas for Complex Learners

Karen Vinson

This professional learning session is designed to support paraprofessionals working with students with low‑incidence disabilities who have complex communication access needs. The training focuses on language facilitation techniques that promote meaningful communication using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems.

Right Support, Right Time: Building Independence and Self-Advocacy

Carol Nolan, Katie McEuen

Focusing on helping staff provide support that promotes student independence rather than dependency. Participants explore how to determine when to step in or step back, use effective prompting and fading strategies, and encourage students to take ownership of their learning. Through discussion and real-life scenarios, paraprofessionals gain tools to support students in becoming more confident, capable, and independent learners.

The Paraprofessional’s Toolbox: Empowering Multilingual Learners for Success

Ana Segulin, Daniel Schaetz, Deanna Evans, Yisbeth Puckett

In this hands-on workshop, we will build upon your foundational knowledge by transforming concepts into a practical Paraprofessional’s Toolbox. You will learn how to "scaffold" instruction using visuals, cognates and interactive tools to make grade-level content accessible for every student, while mastering simple techniques to boost student talk and oral language development. By moving beyond theory and into the real world, you’ll have the opportunity to navigate common classroom challenges ensuring you leave with the confidence to handle any scenario.

Beyond individual strategies, this session focuses on your vital role in the classroom ecosystem. We will explore ways to strengthen your instructional partnership with lead teachers, creating a seamless team that empowers Multilingual Learners to thrive. You’ll walk away not just with a list of ideas, but with a personalized action plan and a refined set of tools designed to foster an inclusive environment where every learner can succeed.

Understanding Crisis

Monica Kurtz, Debbie Tannos

Students communicate distress in many different ways, and paraprofessionals are often the first to notice when a child is struggling. This interactive workshop is designed to help paraprofessionals build a deeper understanding of crisis behavior, recognize early warning signs, and respond with confidence and compassion. Participants will explore how stress, trauma, sensory needs, communication challenges, and unmet emotional needs can impact student behavior in the classroom.

Deanna Evans

As an innovative Multilingual Instruction & Learning Support Specialist for ESC Region 13, I am deeply dedicated to empowering Emergent Bilingual (EB) students. With years of experience working with diverse populations, I bring a deep understanding of the unique needs of these learners. I am driven by the belief that all students can achieve success at high levels, and I focus on creating engaging and linguistically sustaining learning experiences that foster English language proficiency. I strive to cultivate an environment where EB students feel valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full academic potential.

Paula Freeman

Dr. Paula Freeman is a dedicated behavioral psychotherapist who holds a Ph. D. in Counselor Education. Her passion lies in supporting and supervising Professional School Counselors to achieve the most student-centered developmental guidance programs in the school communities they serve. Her journey in educational settings began as a proud Paraprofessional for students with special needs. She enjoyed working with her students and families and soon became a Special Educator and a Bilingual Educator, and from these classroom experiences she decided to become a Professional School Counselor. Paula has worked in these roles with children from grades PK-12.

Emily Johnson

Emily Johnson is a dedicated Education Specialist for Low-Incidence Disabilities at Region 13, bringing nearly a decade of classroom expertise supporting students with diverse learning needs to the role. Her experience spans various instructional settings, including resource/inclusion classrooms and self-contained environments tailored for students with significant cognitive disabilities.

Emily earned her Master’s degree in Education, with a concentration in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, from Texas State University. At Region 13, Emily plays a pivotal role in empowering educators through hands-on instructional support, personalized coaching, and dynamic workshops.

With a passion for creating accessible and effective learning environments, Emily is committed to equipping educators with the tools they need to help students develop independence. Her work is driven by a belief that challenges can spark creativity and that every learner deserves the opportunity to thrive.

Monica Kurtz

Monica Kurtz is a veteran behavior specialist with 24 years of experience supporting students, educators, and school systems in addressing challenging behavior. She holds a Master’s degree in Trauma and Resilience in Curriculum and specializes in trauma-informed, structured approaches to learning and behavior support. Monica works directly with teachers and paraprofessionals, mentors behavior staff, and partners with schools to design structured learning programs that promote regulation, engagement, and long-term success. Her work is grounded in relationship-centered practices, capacity building, and practical strategies that support both staff and students.

Angelica Lopez

Angelica Lopez is the Early Childhood Specialist at Education Service Center Region 13, with over 20 years of experience supporting young children from birth to age five. She has worked across public and private early learning settings as a teacher, mentor, coach, and program support specialist, as well as contributing to educational research. A committed lifelong learner, Angelica earned her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Leadership and Advocacy in 2022, holds a Texas Childcare Administrator certification and is dually certified in General and Special Education. Her work is grounded in a deep dedication to ensuring high-quality early learning experiences for every child in any educational setting

Angela Meade

Angela Meade is a dedicated educator with 28 years of experience. Her career has spanned multiple roles, from paraprofessional and Special Education teacher to campus and district leadership. Currently, Angela serves as a Behavior Specialist at Education Service Center Region 13, where her work also encompasses parent and family involvement, Special Education legal updates, and Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS).

Angela lives in Liberty Hill, Texas, with her husband, Robert. They have two sons, Walker and Nicolas. They enjoy life on their mini-farm, complete with a miniature horse, Nigerian dwarf goats, two turkeys (regular-sized), duck, eight dogs, and nine cats.

Chris Nelson

Chris Nelson is an Education Specialist with the Education Service Center – Region 13 (ESC Region 13) located in Austin, TX. He is a member of the statewide Child Find and Early to Exit IEP Supports Network and specializes in Secondary Transition Services and Graduation for students receiving special education services as the lead Transition Services contact for ESC Region 13. Chris received his Master’s in Education degree from Texas State University in 2009 and has worked in the field of special education for 16 years as a Special Education Teacher, ARD Facilitator, Special Education Coordinator and Transition Specialist/Coordinator for rural, suburban and urban school districts across Central Texas, and currently works as an Education Specialist for Region 13. Chris has provided training in the field of special education for various stakeholders for topics ranging from general special education compliance with state/federal guidelines, IEP development, data collection and progress monitoring, and through specialized transition services trainings covering various transition services topics ranging from Transition 101/Transition in the Law, SPPI-13 and 14, and Graduation considerations and more for both local education agencies and at statewide conferences to include Aligned!, TAVAC, and the Texas Transition Conference.

Carol Nolan

Carol Nolan is an Inclusive Practices Specialist at Region 13 Education Service Center, currently in her third year. With over 15 years of experience in education, she is passionate about creating meaningful access and opportunities for all students. One of her proudest accomplishments was supporting the inclusion of all students who tried out for a middle school cheerleading squad. Carol focuses on helping educators build student independence and self-advocacy skills in general education settings.

Yisbeth Puckett

I came to the United States as an International Student. During my first year in this country, my challenges were learning a new language and adapting to a new culture. My ESL teachers were important to my personal and academic growth as an English language learner. Today, I am a proud and passionate educator who enjoys impacting students' lives. I have been an educator for the past 20 years. I was a Dual Language teacher, Dual Language Reading Specialist, Science Curriculum Specialist, and now a Biliteracy Specialist at Region 13. I am passionate about real-life learning applications and strive to develop myself professionally to make a difference.

Daniel Schaetz

Daniel Schaetz has been with the Multilingual Instruction and Learning Support team at ESC Region 13 for 9 years, currently serving as Program Manager and Specialist. Prior to joining R13, he served for 7 years in Austin ISD, most recently at International High School as a mentor teacher and instructional coach. He enjoys working with classroom teachers, instructional coaches and district leaders advocating for Emergent Bilingual students and their families. Daniel also organizes a group called Secondary Newcomer Network at R13 focused on high school aged Newcomer EBs, including Refugee/Asylee and SIFE populations. Daniel holds a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education and is a life-long learner! In studying current best practice and working closely with teachers in the districts of Region 13, he strives to explore new ideas, activities and strategies for serving EB students.

Ana Segulin

Born in Argentina where she taught EFL, Ana Segulin 's career in Education spans 40 years having served as teacher, campus SIOP facilitator, district instructional coach, district ESL coordinator and director. She has taught ESL at Elementary, Middle and High School levels and Spanish and English at University level. Ms Segulin is the Coordinator for Multilingual Support, Title III and Migrant Ed at Region 13 ESC in Austin Texas. She is passionate about language acquisition and development. She also enjoys training and coaching teachers on everything Bilingual/ESL.

Debbie Tannos

Debbie Tannos has dedicated 21 years to working in public schools, specializing in supporting students with autism. Her roles have included Classroom Teacher, Behavior Specialist and Special Education Coordinator. Since July of 2024, Debbie has been serving as Autism Specialist for ESC Region 13. Debbie's extensive experience involves working as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst along with collaborating with classroom teachers to optimize classroom setup and design using evidence-based practices, as well as providing training on implementing these practices effectively.

Debbie believes that the foundation of behavior management lies in preventative strategies. With these tools in place, a classroom teacher can focus on teaching both positive behavior skills and academic skills. Debbie's goal is to create a safe, supportive, and relationship-based classroom environment where all students can thrive.

Erin Terrell

Erin Terrell, M.Ed. is a Low Incidence Disabilities Specialist at Education Service Center, Region 13. She brings eight years of classroom experience teaching in self-contained settings for students with significant cognitive disabilities. Erin earned her master’s degree in Special Education with a concentration in Autism and Developmental Disabilities from Texas A&M University. As a member of ESC Region 13’s Low Incidence Disabilities team, her work includes providing direct instructional support and coaching to educators, facilitating professional learning workshops, and coordinating the Region 13 Complex Access Needs (CAN) Network.

Maryteresa Tracy

Maryteresa Tracy is the Program Manager for Early Childhood at Region 13. She has been in the field of special education for many years after graduating from the Master of Science Program at Simmons University, while working at the New England Center for Autism as a teacher, supervisor, and behavior specialist. She began a public school, specialized preschool program for children with Autism in the Boston area- where she remained until moving to Austin, Texas, becoming a fulltime ECSE teacher. She has been a teacher and behavior specialist in the public schools in Texas and received her administrative degree before joining the Education Service Center Region 13 in July of 2009.

Karen Vinson

Karen Vinson, MS CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist with over 20 years of experience. Karen has worked the majority of her career in the public school system as both a campus-based therapist and member of the assistive technology team. Additionally, she has experience providing services in a private pediatric therapy clinic and as a telehealth contractor. Karen currently serves as the Speech Language Pathology Educational Specialist at Education Service Center Region 13. She is passionate about working with individuals who have communication access needs. Karen is licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and holds a certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association.