Manistee ISD Launches MAASE Paraeducator Bootcamp
Manistee ISD is proud to announce the launch of the MAASE Paraeducator Bootcamp, a comprehensive training program designed to strengthen the skills, knowledge, and confidence of paraeducators supporting students with disabilities.
MAASE, the Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education, is a statewide organization dedicated to providing professional development, resources, and support to administrators and educators in special education. Through initiatives like the Paraeducator Bootcamp, MAASE works to improve outcomes for students with disabilities by ensuring that educators and support staff are well-trained, highly skilled, and prepared to provide meaningful support.
Last year, four of our staff members attended the MAASE Train the Trainer events and became certified Paraeducator Bootcamp trainers. They now bring this expertise home to support our local schools:
Denver Phillips, Transition Coordinator and Special Education Teacher Consultant
Angela Peters, Transition Teacher
Ellen Doerfer, Mid-MoCI Teacher
Holly Karlsen, ECSE Teacher
What the Bootcamp Training Means
The MAASE Paraeducator Bootcamp is a multi-part, rigorous professional development program designed for paraeducators—special education aides, classroom assistants, and Title I aides—who work directly with students with disabilities. The training is built around the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Paraeducator Core Competencies, which are nationally recognized standards for effective support staff in special education.
The bootcamp provides paraeducators with:
Foundational knowledge of special education and student support
Practical strategies to assist students with academic, social, and behavioral needs
Hands-on learning through interactive, in-person workshops and real-world application activities
Flexible learning opportunities through asynchronous online modules
Collaboration skills to work effectively with teachers, administrators, and families
Topics covered include:
Multitiered System of Supports (MTSS) and the basics of special education
Understanding and applying IEP goals
Positive behavior support and the ABCs of behavior
Academic and classroom support strategies
Collaboration and communication with teachers and team members
Local Rollout at Manistee ISD
On Friday, September 12th, our newly certified trainers proudly rolled out the first of five sessions of the Paraeducator Bootcamp. We are initially providing this training to all classroom paraeducators working in our center-based programs and look forward to expanding the training to paraeducators in local districts in the future.
By participating in the MAASE Paraeducator Bootcamp, our paraeducators are gaining confidence, practical skills, and a deeper understanding of how to support students with disabilities in safe, inclusive, and meaningful ways. This training not only benefits our staff but directly enhances the learning experiences and outcomes of the students we serve.
By investing in the MAASE Paraeducator Bootcamp, Manistee ISD is taking a proactive step to strengthen our educational workforce and address the statewide need for highly skilled paraeducators.
✨ We are proud to bring this comprehensive, multi-part training series to our community and look forward to supporting paraeducators as they grow in skill, confidence, and impact.