Ritu Chopra
Executive Director

Dr. Ritu Chopra, Ph. D., is the Executive Director of The PAR²A Center and is an Assistant Research Professor at the School of Education and Human Development (SEHD) of the University of Colorado Denver. Dr. Chopra has been responsible for grant administration, training, research, and fiscal management at the Center for the last 12 years. In addition, she worked for over 10 years in the capacity of a teacher, trainer, researcher and administrator in various educational institutions in her native country, India.  She completed her Ph.D. in the Educational Leadership and Innovation program of the UCDHSC in 2002 with recognition as an outstanding graduate. Dr. Chopra’s research has focused on the roles of teachers and paraeducators in inclusion, collaboration among paraeducators, teachers, and parents, and leadership in inclusive schools. She has published several articles and instructional materials in the U.S. as well as in India.

Phone: 303-315-6361
Email: ritu.chopra@ucdenver.edu

Christy Ullery
Project Coordinator

Christy Ullery is the CO-TOP and TOP-SET Projects Coordinator; the two projects that focus on professional and career development for paraeducators. Christy holds a Master’s degree in Elementary/Early Childhood Education from the University of Northern Colorado. Christy has nine years classroom teaching experience at the primary level as well as three years experience as a significant support needs teacher. Prior to joining the PAR²A Center staff, she taught CO-TOP classes through staff development in the Douglas County School District. Christy also facilitates the monthly PAR²A Center coalition meetings to enhance the Center’s collaboration with school districts, Institutions of Higher Education and other stakeholders interested in paraeducator training and employment issues.

Phone : 303-315-6360

Email:Christy.Ullery@ucdenver.edu

Nancy K. French
Founder of the PAR²A Center

Dr. Nancy French, Ph.D., founded the PAR2A Center in 1994.  She retired from her positions as he Executive Director of the Center and Research Professor at the School of Education and Human Development of the University of Colorado Denver in December 2006. After her retirement, Dr. French has continued to maintain ties and remain involved in many activities of the Center. Dr. French has more than 30 years of experience in education. She has been studying the employment and supervision of paraprofessionals in education for nearly 20 years. She has researched the roles and responsibilities of paraprofessionals and has used her research findings to develop a statewide training system for paraeducators in Colorado. She has published over 50 articles and chapters – many of which are about paraprofessionals. She consults with school districts to set up systems that maintain high standards for paraprofessional-professional teams.