Paraprofessional Day

April 2, 2025 9:00 – 3:30
Location: Florida SouthWestern State College, Lee Campus

Join us for SWFLN’s annual Paraprofessional Day, a full-day event designed to provide library staff with hands-on, practical training that can be immediately applied in their roles. This year’s sessions will focus on effective communication, professional growth, task management, personal resilience, and customer service—all essential skills for today’s library professionals.

• Interactive Training from Florida Studio Theatre (FST) Improv – Engage in fun, high-energy exercises to sharpen your communication and customer service skills.
• Professional Development Workshops – Learn practical strategies for task management, confident communication, and effective teamwork.
• Mental Wellness & Resilience – Discover what happiness does to your brain and how to maintain positivity in challenging work environments.
• Emergency Preparedness – Stay informed with a session on personal hurricane preparedness (tentative).
• Networking & Career Growth Opportunities – Stop by the FSU booth throughout the day to explore ways to advance your library career.
• Free Professional Headshots – Get a high-quality headshot to update your professional profile.
• Beesley Paw Prints – Hear inspiring stories about the impact of therapy animals in public spaces and share your own library impact stories.

Parking

Free parking is available in Lots 1 and 2. These parking lots are the first and second left after entering the campus from College Pkwy. and are next to Building AA.

Morning Refreshments and Lunch

Doors open at 8:30 for networking and an assortment of assortment of breakfast breads, danish, pastries and muffins, and fresh fruit.

A Light Lunch is provide by SWFLN and includes an assortment of sandwiches, house-made chips, pasta salad, dessert and a variety of sodas, tea, lemonade and water.

Gluten Free and Vegetarian options are available for lunch, please indicate this preference on you registration form.

Photography Notice

This event will be photographed by a professional photographer. If you do not wish to have your photo taken or shared through SWFLN publicity channels, please alert staff and the photographer.

9:00 AM | Welcome & Energy Exercise
Kickstart the day with an engaging session led by FST Improv, designed to energize and set a positive tone.

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Breakout Session 1: 

• Resume Renewal – Stand Out & Get Hired!
• Improvisation for Effective Communication
• Managing Your Tasks Like a Pro

11:15 AM – 12:15 PM | Breakout Session 2 

• Effective Customer Relations Through Improv
• What Happiness Does to Your Brain and Why You Should Care
• Speaking with Confidence and Credibility

12:15 PM | Lunch & Networking
Enjoy lunch while connecting with colleagues. Listen to a brief FSU presentation and take advantage of our free professional headshot booth!

1:30 – 2:30 PM | Breakout Session 3

• I’d Be Fine if it Wasn’t for You! What to do When People Won’t Behave
• Partnering for Performance: The Courageous Follower
• The Neapolitan Ice Cream Guide to Interviewing – Three Scoops to Success

2:45 PM | Beesley Paw Prints – Impact Stories
We end the day with a heartwarming session on the impact of therapy dogs in libraries, schools, and hospitals. Learn about the mission of Beesley Paw Prints and how therapy teams support communities. After a brief presentation, engage in small group discussions to share impact stories—whether from your own work or insights gained throughout the day. Celebrate the power of connection and community through the comfort of therapy animals.

3:15 PM | Wrap-Up & Acknowledgments
Join the SWFLN Team in thanking our presenters, guests, and sponsors for making this event a success!

Resume Renewal – Stand Out & Get Hired!

Speaker: Anne Ryan
Your resume is more than a list of jobs—it’s your personal highlight reel! In this session, learn how to craft a resume that grabs attention and showcases your unique skills. Topics include formatting, key sections, and writing compelling bullet points to help you land your next opportunity.

Improvisation for Effective Communication

Speaker: Florida Studio Theatre
Boost your communication skills through fun, interactive improv exercises. This session focuses on active listening, adaptability, and confidence-building techniques that will help you communicate effectively with colleagues and customers. No performance experience required—just a willingness to say “Yes, and!”

Managing Your Tasks Like a Pro

Speaker: Anne Schroeder
With so much to do, it’s essential to manage time efficiently. Learn to prioritize tasks, handle paperwork, and use organizational tools like storyboards and impact wheels. Topics include identifying time-wasters, meeting management, and building better organizational habits.

Effective Customer Relations Through Improv

Speaker: Florida Studio Theatre
Delivering excellent customer service requires patience and adaptability. Through improv-based techniques, this session helps participants develop strategies to handle difficult situations, improve active listening, and create positive experiences for customers.

What Happiness Does to Your Brain and Why You Should Care

Speaker: Dr. Darcy Lord
Research shows that positive emotions enhance intelligence, mental clarity, and success. This session explores the science behind happiness, emotions, and brain function while offering practical techniques to improve well-being and workplace performance.

Speaking with Confidence and Credibility

Speaker: Anne Schroeder
Learn to communicate with professionalism and credibility in any situation. This workshop covers body language, effective word choices, and techniques for speaking up in meetings. Gain tools to enhance confidence and build strong workplace relationships.

I’d Be Fine if it Wasn’t for You! What to do When People Won’t Behave

Speaker: Dr. Darcy Lord
Difficult people are everywhere – but how do you handle them effectively? This lighthearted session provides tools and techniques to maintain well-being when others don’t behave as expected. Learn to navigate challenging interactions with confidence and ease.

Partnering for Performance: The Courageous Follower

Speaker: Anne Schroeder
Powerful followers supporting strong leaders can drive organizational success. Based on Ira Chaleff’s The Courageous Follower, this session explores the dynamic relationship between leaders and followers, helping attendees enhance their impact and effectiveness.

The Neapolitan Ice Cream Guide to Interviewing – Three Scoops to Success

Speaker: Anne Ryan
Master the three key elements of a successful interview:

• Vanilla – Preparation (Research, practice, and setting yourself up for success)
• Chocolate – The Interview (Answering questions with confidence and making a great impression)
• Strawberry – The Follow-Up (Sending thank-yous, staying on their radar, and next steps)

This session provides practical tips and a foolproof recipe for interview success—no brain freeze required!

Anne Ryan

Anne Ryan is on a mission to make career growth exciting, strategic, and—dare we say—fun! A dynamic career coach, speaker, and workshop leader, she’s helped thousands of job seekers uncover their unique strengths and land roles they once thought impossible.

Known for her high-energy, interactive sessions, Anne speaks on branding, resumes, LinkedIn, and interviewing at conferences, colleges, and organizations across the U.S., Europe, and Australia. Before launching her own business, she spent 20 years in tech at Palantir Technologies and IBM.

Anne holds a B.S. in Computer & Systems Engineering and Computer Science from RPI and a Master’s in Engineering Management from Duke. Whether coaching one-on-one or leading electrifying workshops, she transforms job searching from daunting to doable—helping people not just find jobs, but find their purpose.

Anne Schroeder

Anne Schroeder is a dynamic consultant, facilitator, and designer of professional development initiatives, working with organizations at national, regional, and state levels. With extensive experience leading groups from 10 to 250 participants, she has helped organizations enhance productivity, resolve conflicts, and achieve award-winning quality improvements. Harvard recognized her Guests First hospitality program as a Bright Idea in Government, and she developed Courtesy Calling to support Charlotte County post-Hurricane Charley. Her clients include NASA, Coca-Cola, the American Lung Association, and Florida Gulf Coast University. Anne played a key role in guiding Lehigh Regional Medical Center and the Lee County Tax Collector’s Office in their pursuit of the prestigious Florida Sterling Award. Since 2006, she has coordinated the award-winning Florida Supervisors of Elections certification program. A specialist in bullying awareness and prevention, Anne provides training for municipalities, agencies, and schools, utilizing research-based strategies from Clemson University. She holds a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University and certifications in organizational problem-solving from Synectics, Inc. and the Creative Problem Solving Institute at the University of Buffalo.

Beesley’s Paw Prints

Beesley’s Paw Prints Pet Therapy program, established in 2015 through the generous support of Ms. Carol Beesley via the United Way, is a vital initiative of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida. This program offers comfort and support to the community through outreach. Each volunteer handler and dog team is registered and insured through recognized organizations such as the Alliance of Therapy Dogs or Pet Partners, ensuring the highest standards of care and professionalism. Their dedication significantly enhances the well-being of those they serve, embodying the center’s mission to support and heal.

Dr. Darcy Lord

Dr. Darcy Lord is a passionate advocate for self-love, inner guidance, and personal growth. With over 30 years of experience as a speaker, trainer, and coach, she has empowered thousands through her workshops, leadership training, and spiritual growth programs. Holding a Ph.D. in Somatic Education from The Ohio State University, Dr. Lord combines scientific research with transformational practices to help individuals reduce stress, embrace self-worth, and live with purpose. She is the author of 52 Weeks of Relief: Uplifting Provocations for Stress Reduction & Self-Care and has led research on workplace positivity and well-being. She has worked with thousands of clients, including universities and higher education, hospitals, government agencies, financial institutions and more. Her mission is to help others trust their inner wisdom, manifest their highest potential, and create a life they love.

Florida State University iSchool

The Florida State University (FSU) School of Information, part of the College of Communication & Information, is a nationally recognized leader in library and information studies. Established in 1947, it has evolved to offer degrees in Library and Information Studies, Information Studies, and Information Technology at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

With roots dating back to the 1920s, the school has a strong tradition of academic excellence and innovation. Its graduates hold leadership roles in libraries, information technology, and related fields. Committed to cutting-edge research and high-impact education, the FSU iSchool continues to shape the future of information professionals.

FST Improv

The Florida Studio Theatre Community is made up of a diverse group of artists that utilize their unique backgrounds and talents to fulfill the mission of FST. Florida Studio Theatre (FST) offers dynamic Corporate Training programs through its FST Improv division, designed to enhance workplace skills such as confidence, collaboration, and creative problem-solving. These engaging seminars cover topics like creative thinking, transforming conflict, and public speaking, providing employees with practical techniques applicable in various professional settings.