For the last nineteen years, Marilyn Likins has served as the Executive Director of the National Resource Center for Paraeducators in Education and Related Services (NRCP) at Utah State University, Logan, UT. As a research associate professor, Dr. Likins also directed the Mild/Moderate Alternative Teacher Preparation Program (ATP), Department of Special Education and Related Services at Utah State University (2001-2017).

Marilyn began working in the field of education, as a teacher’s aide, designing curriculum and working with young adults with moderate/severe disabilities. After three years, she took a job as a behavior specialist at Children’s Behavior Therapy Unit (CBTU) in Salt Lake City to teach children with severe emotional/behavioral needs. Following graduate school, Dr. Likins research efforts concentrated primarily on paraeducator and teacher preparation. Through several, state staff development initiatives, Dr. Likins work has focused on building state infrastructures for paraeducators. This effort has centered primarily in the areas of state law and federal policy, and training for paraeducators, teachers, parents and administrators at a district/state, national and international level.

Recently she has concentrated on paraeducator and intervener career pathways and building partnerships between districts, community colleges and universities to produce viable, pathways to licensing programs. Dr. Likins has authored several book chapters and articles and designed curriculum and video-based instructional materials.

Laura Lema, MS, is a Technical Assistance Specialist at TAESE. Laura coordinates and supervises the TAESE Dispute Resolution for Special Education (DRSE) and the National Resource Center for Paraeducators (NRCP) programs, conferences, and related technical assistance activities. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from USU in 2012 and spent six years as a Special Education Aide at Thomas Edison Charter School. Laura completed a Master's of Science in Special Education from Utah State University in 2025, where her research explored barriers to professional development nationwide. Using a mixed methods approach, her research examined challenges faced by SEAs in supporting and training paraeducators. Laura’s work continues to support SEA efforts implementing high quality professional development to paraeducators.