Recognize & Elevate Contributions
Recognizing & Elevating Paraprofessionals’ Contributions
Paraprofessionals play a vital role in ensuring students can access meaningful learning opportunities for all students. OPEPP elevates paraprofessionals as essential members of the instructional team—spotlighting success, sharing stories of impact, and highlighting how well-supported paraprofessionals contribute to stronger academic, social-emotional, and engagement outcomes for students.
We showcase effective practices from classrooms across Ohio, share examples of strong paraeducator–educator partnerships, and amplify the voices of paraprofessionals whose work strengthens instruction and improves school climate. Through shared stories, best practices, and district-led projects, we celebrate the expertise and leadership paraprofessionals bring to their schools every day.
Stories of Transformation
Paraprofessional Spotlight: Ruth Thompson
At OPEPP, we know paraprofessionals bring heart, dedication, and care to their daily work. Ruth Thompson, a paraprofessional with the Fairfield County ESC, is a ...
Paraprofessional Spotlight: Jaclyn Cottrell
Paraeducators are often the unsung experts in the room—especially when it comes to assistive technology for children who are deaf, blind, or deafblind. Jaclyn Cottrell ...