For Jacqueline Marshall, there’s always something new to learn at the Paraprofessional Festival and Awards Luncheon — the annual “ParaFest” that celebrates the work of paraprofessionals.

“I love the collaboration we have and meeting with other paras, and I love the training I’m getting here,” said Marshall, a paraprofessional for grades K–5 and the chapter leader at PS 44 in Bedford-Stuyvesant. “I keep my members informed of what I learn at ParaFest.”

That dedication and enthusiasm were evident throughout the 34th annual event, which drew more than 1,000 paraprofessionals from around the city to the New York Hilton Hotel on March 21.

Workshops were offered in conflict management, autism and understanding the Individualized Education Program, among other topics. The focus on issues related to special education was no accident.

“Many of our members work with children with disabilities,” said Shelvy Young-Abrams, the paraprofessionals chapter leader. “They treat these children as their own.”

Nancy Wong, a paraprofessional at PS 145 in Bushwick, said she got a great deal out of the workshop on working with children with autism. “I learned a lot about setting expectations, writing it down in a story, and involving the child in telling that story,” said Wong.

Meghan Heslin, a substitute para for eight years, was hired full time at PS 264 in Bay Ridge just three weeks prior to the conference. She said the workshop on the IEP was timely for her because she will be working with 4th-graders who have mobility issues.

“I saw an IEP for the first time yesterday, but now I can reread it and understand it better,” Heslin said.

The heart of the conference, a springtime ritual for many paras, is honoring the Paraprofessionals of the Year, who are nominated by their colleagues. This year’s honorees were singled out for mentoring substitute paras, working with disabled children, and community and union activism, among other accomplishments.

“Sometimes paras are overlooked,” Young-Abrams said. “ParaFest is our way of showing them we appreciate what they do.”

The participants also thronged a health fair for information on benefits and discounts.

“This is the largest and fastest-growing chapter in the UFT,” said President Michael Mulgrew in his greetings. “Shelvy has met the challenge.”

Citing the UFT’s battle with Gov. Andrew Cuomo, keynote speaker Lorretta Johnson, a paraprofessional and the secretary-treasurer of the AFT, urged the event participants to redouble their efforts to fight for fairness and equity in public education.

“We must do everything in our power to decrease the influence of Wall Street and increase the influence of educators, parents and the community,” she said.

Maria Portalatin, a founder and former chair of the Paraprofessionals Chapter and staunch union activist who passed away in December, was honored in a video presentation and by many of the day’s speakers.

“We lost a great friend this year,” said Mulgrew. “She was a champion of the children.”

Chancellor Carmen Fariña, a guest speaker, remembered working with Portalatin in District 15 in Brooklyn. “She brought professionalism to paraprofessionals,” Fariña said.

The chancellor also praised paraprofessionals who embraced their special role in the classroom. “This is a job that has worth in and of itself,” Fariña said.

The first Maria Portalatin Award went to Hector Ruiz Jr., the second vice chairman of the Paraprofessionals Chapter.

In other honors, Laura Tamburo, the UFT liaison for salary issues with the Department of Education, received the Chairperson’s Award for her outstanding support of the Paraprofessionals Chapter.