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2026 SWWC KEYS Paraprofessional Conferences

2026 SWWC KEYS Paraprofessional Conferences

In August, SWWC hosted its 4th Annual KEYS Paraprofessional Conferences, offering three regional conference opportunities in Marshall, Willmar, and Worthington. The annual KEYS Conferences provide high-quality, relevant professional development designed specifically for paraprofessionals and the students they support.

Across the three conference locations, 823 participants attended:

  • Marshall - August 11: 222 attendees
  • Willmar - August 12: 322 attendees
  • Worthington - August 13: 279 attendees

A key benefit of the KEYS Conferences was the opportunity for participants to complete 5 of the 8 required paraprofessional training hours for the 2026–2027 school year under Minnesota Statute 121A.642, Subdivision 1 and Minnesota Statute 125A.08(c). This allowed districts to provide their paraprofessionals with meaningful professional learning while also supporting completion of state training requirements.

Each conference provided the same broad selection of sessions and featured presenters from across SWWC departments and programs, statewide initiatives, and community partner organizations. Offering the conference in three regional locations increased access to professional development while providing participants with consistent training opportunities regardless of which location they attended.

Session Topics

Conference sessions addressed the diverse responsibilities of paraprofessionals and provided practical strategies participants could apply in their work with students. 

Training topics included:

  • Paraprofessional self-care
  • Behavior support strategies
  • Emergency care and Personal Care Assistance (PCA)
  • Supporting student communication
  • Minnesota READ Act
  • Adapting and modifying equipment in physical education
  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
  • Compassion fatigue
  • Disability awareness
  • Roles and responsibilities of professionals, paraprofessionals, and support personnel
  • Confidentiality
  • Vulnerability and reporting obligations
  • Understanding students' characteristics and individual needs
  • Teaching and learning environments
  • Academic instructional skills
  • Student behavior
  • Ethical practices

Together, these sessions addressed many of the core knowledge and skill areas paraprofessionals need to effectively support students academically, behaviorally, physically, socially, and emotionally while also addressing key areas included within Minnesota's paraprofessional training requirements.

SWWC Presenters and Departments

A significant strength of the KEYS Paraprofessional Conferences was the ability to draw upon the knowledge and expertise of professionals from across SWWC. This cross-departmental collaboration allowed paraprofessionals to learn directly from professionals who support students, staff, and school districts throughout the region.

SWWC Special Education staff presenters included:

  • Occupational Therapists
  • School Psychologist
  • Due Process Specialists
  • Physical/Health Disabilities (PHD) Specialist
  • Speech-Language Pathologist
  • Developmental Adapted Physical Education (DAPE) Teacher
  • Special Education Directors

Additional SWWC departments and teams providing training included:

  • SWWC Behavioral Services
  • SWWC Mental Health Services
  • SWWC Nursing Services
  • SWWC COMPASS Team
  • SWWC Technology Integration Team

The involvement of professionals from across SWWC provided participants with access to a broad range of expertise in special education, behavior, mental health, student health and safety, literacy, technology, communication, and instructional support.

Statewide and Community Partners

In addition to the expertise provided by SWWC staff, the KEYS Conferences brought in statewide specialists and community organizations to further expand the professional learning available to participants.

External and statewide partners included:

  • STAR Autism Support
  • Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota
  • Minnesota Low Incidence Projects (MNLIP) Statewide Physical Impairments & Other Health Disabilities Specialist
  • Minnesota Low Incidence Projects (MNLIP) Statewide Traumatic Brain Injury Specialist
  • Western Mental Health

Together, SWWC staff and external partners provided a comprehensive range of learning opportunities designed around the knowledge and skills paraprofessionals need to effectively support students.

Conference Support and Collaboration

The success of the KEYS Paraprofessional Conferences extended well beyond the presenters and session content. Serving 823 participants across three locations on three consecutive days required significant planning, coordination, and support from staff throughout SWWC, as well as collaboration with the schools hosting each conference.

SWWC staff supported many of the behind-the-scenes aspects that helped each conference run smoothly. SWWC ELC staff and SWWC Special Education Administrative Assistants provided valuable assistance at the registration areas, helping welcome participants, facilitate check-in, answer questions, and support the flow of attendees as each conference began. This support played an important role in creating an organized, welcoming, and positive conference experience for participants.

The success of the conferences also depended on the partnership of the schools and districts hosting the Marshall, Willmar, and Worthington events. Their willingness to open their facilities and provide spaces capable of accommodating hundreds of participants and multiple concurrent breakout sessions made it possible for SWWC to provide accessible professional development in three different areas of the region.

The KEYS Conferences are truly a collaborative effort. From those planning the conferences months in advance, to staff welcoming participants at registration, coordinating meals and logistics, assisting presenters, troubleshooting throughout the day, and presenting sessions, many individuals contribute to making each conference successful.

Overall Impact Statement

Now in its fourth year, the KEYS Paraprofessional Conferences have become an established regional professional development opportunity for paraprofessionals and the districts they serve. The 2026 conferences demonstrate the impact that can be achieved through collaboration across SWWC departments and with regional, statewide, and community partners.

Over the course of three days and three locations, 823 participants had access to specialized professional development focused on the skills and knowledge needed to effectively support students. Importantly, participants were able to complete 5 of the 8 required paraprofessional training hours for the 2026–2027 school year through their conference participation. This makes KEYS not only a significant professional learning opportunity, but also a valuable resource for districts as they work to meet Minnesota's paraprofessional training requirements.

The conference model brought together expertise in special education, mental health, behavior, health services, technology, literacy, communication, physical education, disability-specific supports, and staff wellness. Participants were able to select learning opportunities aligned with their roles and the needs of the students they serve.

Just as importantly, the conferences highlighted the collaborative capacity of SWWC. Presenters, administrative support staff, ELC staff, conference planners, SWWC departments and teams, external partners, and host schools all played a role in making three large regional conferences possible on three consecutive days.

By offering the same high-quality professional learning in Marshall, Willmar, and Worthington, SWWC was able to make training more accessible to school districts across the region while maintaining consistent content and expectations. The KEYS Conferences showcase both the depth of expertise available within SWWC and the strength of the partnerships needed to provide large-scale professional development opportunities.

At its core, the KEYS Conference reflects a shared commitment to equipping paraprofessionals with practical tools, strategies, and knowledge to better support students and school teams, helping districts meet state training requirements, and recognizing the important role paraprofessionals play in creating successful learning environments for students.

A speaker addresses a seated audience in a large auditorium with tiered blue seating in the background.
A man stands at a podium in the foreground addressing a large audience seated in a curved auditorium in the background.
A presenter stands before an audience seated in chairs in a room with a projector screen, while a red North Face banner hangs on the back wall.
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