Cape Henlopen School District Celebrates Third Annual Parapalooza Professional Learning Conference

On September 15, Cape Henlopen School District hosted its third annual Parapalooza Learning Conference, a professional development event created specifically for the District’s paraprofessionals. Held at Cape Henlopen High School, the event provided paraprofessionals with opportunities to learn, collaborate and build practical skills they can bring directly into their classrooms and school communities.

Paraprofessionals selected from a wide range of sessions designed around the unique needs of their roles. Topics included student agency, visual supports, relationship-building, behavior strategies, supporting student independence, communication, multilingual learners, responsible technology use, IEP implementation and early literacy. Additional sessions focused on career advancement and connecting paraprofessional work to the District’s Strategic Plan of Action.

“Paraprofessionals play an incredibly important role in the success of our students and schools,” said Superintendent Dr. Jenny Nauman. “Parapalooza is an opportunity to invest in these dedicated professionals, recognize the expertise they bring to our classrooms and provide them with meaningful tools and strategies to support every student. We are grateful for the time, care and commitment they bring to Cape every day.”

The conference also provided opportunities for participants to connect with colleagues and learn from fellow Cape paras, educators and administrators. Sessions emphasized practical, immediately applicable strategies, including ways to increase student engagement and independence, strengthen relationships, support positive behavior and respond effectively to students’ individual needs.

“Parapalooza is really about creating a space where our paraprofessionals can learn from one another, share ideas and grow together,” said Jessica Zimmerman, District Coordinator of Interventions and Supports. “They do so much for our students every day, and this professional learning experience gives us the opportunity to support them with training that reflects the important and diverse work they do in our schools.”