Joplin Schools creates unique Special Education Career Path
JOPLIN, Mo. – Joplin Schools has created a unique career path for people interested in assisting Special Education students and teachers in the classroom. The Behavior Interventionist position was built on the knowledge that many district paraprofessionals have the skill and passion to advance in their chosen work.
A paraprofessional is a district staff member without a teaching certificate who assists teachers with classroom behaviors and management needs, attending to physical, personal, academic and emotional needs of students with special needs. To expand that role into a more lucrative and long-term position, Joplin Schools has created the behavior interventionist position.
Behavior interventionists undergo specialized training to become more skilled in their ability to respond to students’ behavioral needs in order to maintain long-term relationships. To compensate for the extra training and responsibilities necessary for behavior interventionists, this position offers higher hourly wages.
Paraprofessionals can begin work in Joplin Schools at $13.65 per hour; Behavior interventionist wages begin at $16.75 per hour, and increase to $18.00 per hour after on-the-job training. Both positions offer full-time benefits to employees, including free mental healthcare resources.
Dr. Jason Weaver is the principal at Dover Hill Elementary, which was designed to include a dedicated Special Education suite for elementary learners in need of services.
“Several of our students need the attention and support of committed, trained staff to help them reach their academic and behavioral goals,” said Dr. Weaver. “Having quality behavior interventionists and paraprofessionals willing to work alongside our students and form positive relationships with them ensures we can provide that attention and help students grow.”
In addition to the Behavior interventionist positions in district buildings, Joplin Schools also serves as the Fiscal Agent of the Beacon Cooperative. Beacon was created to meet the needs of students from member schools and provide special education services for students with behavioral goals that would be too difficult or costly for single Member Districts to provide independently.
These programming opportunities lead to additional behavior interventionist position openings to serve students on both the Joplin and Carthage campuses.
Current Joplin Schools behavior interventionist Billy Gray has also previously worked as a paraprofessional.
“Both positions have allowed me the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with students and make a difference in the lives of others,” said Gray. “I am glad that I have found a home with Eagle Nation, and a career that is both satisfying and rewarding.”
Interested candidates should apply at JoplinSchools.org/Employment, and click on the Paraprofessionals link. Behavior interventionists and paraprofessionals must complete 60 hours of college credit; OR have an associate’s degree or higher; OR pass the Paraprofessional Assessment; OR complete 20 hours of online training through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Fee assistance is available to those who qualify through the Missouri Job Center.
Several Behavior interventionist and paraprofessional job opportunities are currently available in Joplin Schools, and interested candidates are encouraged to apply right away.
“Paraprofessionals and behavior interventionists are essential to providing the quality of support our students deserve,” said Dr. Weaver. “Teachers can’t do it alone. Having individuals willing to invest in our students and support them through challenges makes all the difference in the success of our kids.”