Paraprofessional Academy
Paraprofessionals are the unsung heroes of our schools, providing vital support to both students and teachers.
Region 14 ESC is proud to have trained over 1,800 paraprofessionals across our region, and we invite you to join our upcoming Three-Day Paraprofessional Academy—available both in-person at Region 14 ESC North (1850 Hwy 351, Abilene) and online.
This academy provides prospective paraprofessionals with scientifically based strategies to assist in reading, writing, and math instruction. Participants will complete a locally developed assessment to demonstrate proficiency, fulfilling the requirements to become a "Highly Qualified" paraprofessional. Choose the format that works best for you and join us to make an even greater impact in the classroom!
IN-PERSON TRAINING:
Please create an account through Pitstop. Once you have an account, visit our Pitstop webpage here - search ‘paraprofessional’ in the search bar to register for the next in-person academy session. In-person Paraprofessional Academy is held generally in September and January of each school year. The fee for the Academy is $100.00 and must be paid at the time of registration. Please notify Tammi Davis (tdavis@esc14.net) if you have further registration questions.
Next In-Person Academy - Save the Date!
January, 2026
ONLINE OPTION:
If self-paced online training is preferred, we offer Paraeducator Training, which provides 13 modules plus practice tests. Afterwards, paraprofessionals schedule a time with Candice Escobar to test at ESC 14. The fee is $200, and an administrator will need to email cescobar@esc14.net with the aide's name, email, and campus, which will start the process (not in PitStop).
Find Out More About Region 14’s Partnership With Cisco College
Earn Your Associate's Degree in Child Development
Roles and Responsibilities of a Paraprofessional
A Resource for Educators of Students with Disabilities
Inclusion in Texas (Under the Resource tab- Working with Paraprofessionals)
TX CAN - Resources, Online Modules, Videos
Autism Circuit - Tools for the classroom (Download and print)
Learn how to use the tools/ watch videos
TSLAT - Resources, Online Modules, Short Videos
Legal Framework - Law and policy
Understood - Great site to learn about disabilities
Accommodation Central - Check out the accommodations and how to implement them
-
IN-PERSON TRAINING:
Please create an account through Pitstop. Once you have an account, visit our Pitstop webpage here - search ‘paraprofessional’ in the search bar to register for the next in-person academy session. In-person Paraprofessional Academy is held generally in September and January of each school year. The fee for the Academy is $100.00 and must be paid at the time of registration. Please notify Tammi Davis (tdavis@esc14.net) if you have further registration questions.
Next In-Person Academy - Save the Date!
January, 2026
ONLINE OPTION:
If self-paced online training is preferred, we offer Paraeducator Training, which provides 13 modules plus practice tests. Afterwards, paraprofessionals schedule a time with Candice Escobar to test at ESC 14. The fee is $200, and an administrator will need to email cescobar@esc14.net with the aide's name, email, and campus, which will start the process (not in PitStop).
-
Find Out More About Region 14’s Partnership With Cisco College
Earn Your Associate's Degree in Child Development
Roles and Responsibilities of a Paraprofessional
A Resource for Educators of Students with Disabilities
Inclusion in Texas (Under the Resource tab- Working with Paraprofessionals)
TX CAN - Resources, Online Modules, Videos
Autism Circuit - Tools for the classroom (Download and print)
Learn how to use the tools/ watch videos
TSLAT - Resources, Online Modules, Short Videos
Legal Framework - Law and policy
Understood - Great site to learn about disabilities
Accommodation Central - Check out the accommodations and how to implement them