While teacher shortages often dominate the conversation around K–12 staffing, many school districts are facing an equally urgent challenge: recruiting and retaining the paraprofessionals and support staff who play a critical role in supporting students and maintaining stable special education programs.
With extensive experience partnering with districts to strengthen workforce strategies, BlazerWorks understands the unique challenges of building and sustaining a reliable support staff workforce.
This webinar is designed for district leaders, special education administrators, human resources professionals, and school administrators. Led by Dr. Jaime Sowers, Director of Advisory Services at BlazerWorks, this session draws on more than 27 years of experience in education, including roles as a special education teacher, coordinator, principal, and district special education director.
Participants will gain practical, actionable strategies informed by real-world district leadership and BlazerWorks' experience partnering with school systems nationwide to strengthen special education staffing and workforce stability.
In this session, you'll learn:
- Why paraprofessional and support staff shortages have become one of the biggest workforce challenges facing school districts
- How staffing gaps impact special education services, classroom stability, and student outcomes
- Proven strategies for recruiting qualified paraprofessionals in today's competitive market
- Practical approaches to improving retention beyond compensation alone
- How to build a workplace culture that supports long-term workforce stability and stronger student outcomes
Recruiting and Retaining Paraprofessionals and Support Staff
Meet the Speakers
Dr. Jaime Sowers, Ed.D.
Director of Advisory Services
Dr. Jaime Sowers is the Director of Advisory Services at BlazerWorks. Jaime earned his doctorate in innovation and leadership in 2018 from Wilmington University in Delaware. Prior to joining the BlazerWorks team, Jaime spent three years as the special education director for Santa Fe Public Schools in New Mexico. He is nearing the 20-year mark in education, spending time as a teacher, coordinator, and principal prior to becoming a director. Currently, he serves on two volunteer school boards and is an active member of the Council of Administrators of Special Education and the Council of Exceptional Children.