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Paraprofessionals

Check DESE requirements to become a Paraprofessional in Joplin Schools!

Paraprofessionals and Behavior interventionists make daily, direct impacts on a student’s educational trajectory, and this is a great way to explore a career in education! Click here for more information from DESE about how to start your Paraprofessional journey.

Apply to become a Paraprofessional or Behavior Interventionist with Joplin Schools!

Four pathways are available for candidates interested in becoming a Paraprofessional or Behavior Interventionist in Missouri:

  1. Complete 60 hours of college credit (documented by a certified transcript), OR
  2. Have an Associate’s Degree or higher, OR
  3. Pass the Paraprofessional Assessment, OR
  4. Complete 20 hours of online training through DESE.

With proof of completion for one of these pathways, you can apply to work as a Paraprofessional or Behavior Interventionist in Joplin Schools. Full-time benefits are available for both positions.

How to take the Paraprofessional Assessment:

  1. Apply for Fee Assistance through the Missouri Job Center prior to registering for online assesssment, if necessary. (Funds cannot be reimbursed once you’ve registered yourself, but can be paid in advance for those approved for fee assistance.)
  2. Register for the online assessment here.
  3. There is an $85 exam fee.

How to complete 20 hours of online training through DESE:

  1. Apply for Fee Assistance through the Missouri Job Center prior to registering for online training, if necessary. (Funds cannot be reimbursed once you’ve registered yourself, but can be paid in advance for those who are approved for fee assistance.)
  2. Register for the online training course here. (The online training course does not reference paraprofessionals and is called Substitute Teacher Training. Substitute Teacher Training has been designated as an allowable qualification for paraprofessionals in the state of Missouri. More information from DESE is available here.)
  3. There is a $180 registration fee.

For questions about applications or requirements, please contact Denise Parnell at LindaParnell@JoplinSchools.org. For questions about fee assistance, please contact the Missouri Job Center at 417-629-3000.

Apply for a Para/BI Position Here