Ashleigh Molloy's daughter sparked his interest in the role paraprofessionals play in classrooms.

Molloy's daughter, born with Down Syndrome, spends her school day working with a teacher's assistant, or a paraprofessional.

Time and time again, the woman has worked to include Molloy's daughter in every activity, whether it was on the playground or in the classroom.

"This lady was para of the year as far as I'm concerned," Molloy said.

Molloy, a former special education teacher, principal and superintendent, was the keynote speaker and a presenter at the Wyoming ParaEducator Consortium. He is also the director of the Transformation Education Institute.

Paraprofessionals from around the state are spending three days in Casper to receive professional development and spend time networking.

Across Wyoming, paraprofessionals help teachers in classrooms, libraries and other school settings. Typically, paraprofessionals do not have teaching degrees, though they work closely with students.

Molloy's presentation, "Paraprofessionals and the Paparazzi," uses research and personal testimony to show the value paraprofessionals add to learning.

"I hope that they realize the value of the role that they play," Molloy said. "I like to let them know that just because they're on the lower end of the income scale, [it] doesn't define their value to society."

Carol Burns works as a library aide at Thermopolis Middle School. Molloy's presentation rang true for Burns, who has been a paraprofessional for 12 years.

"I loved this," she said. "We do help in the classroom."

Opening communication lines between teachers and paraprofessionals was a key point in the presentation, she said.

"I think there's a lot of times when teachers don't know what we should be doing," Burns said.

Reach education reporter Jasa Santos at (307) 266-0593 or at Jasa.Santos@trib.com