Everyday students, teachers, and other staff see Student Success Supervisors (S.S.S.), formerly known as Behavior Interventionists (B.I.s) throughout the school. However many community members at Roseville Area High School are confused with the role that behavioral interventionists play in the building.
Jeff McGaster, a member of the S.S.S. team, also shared that his job entails, “working with kids, getting to understand what’s really going on. Some kids come to school as a safe haven and that’s all they got, I like helping them understand what’s important for them to learn better and giving kids help when they need it.”
According to a basic job description from Indeed, Behavioral interventionists at schools create and implement individualized plans to help children or other individuals succeed in challenging tasks, social skills, or other various problems. This often involves communicating with family members and teachers.
Teachers and students have different answers to what they described as a BI.
One anonymous teacher at RAHS said, “When I first started I thought their job was to get students to class, discipline students, create a safe environment in the hallways and bathroom, and make contact with parents if needed. And throughout the day they monitor the entire school, not just be concentrated in one area.
The same teacher added, “And not be friends with students, or bring gifts because that’s not their job. Administration doesn’t provide clarity. I’ve asked them and they’ve just told me they’re stretched thin and working very hard” which I wonder what they’re stretched so thin about.”
From a different perspective, Mel Chaput, a Media Center Assistant at RAHS shared her experience with the S.S.S team. As she has different types of interactions with students, she said, “We have to build trust with our kiddos and every student has a different experience outside of school. We have to meet them where they are at and build connections to best help them.”
Chaput added, “I think every student is different and not every student will respond to that (firm) power dynamic and it’s so important for Bl’s to figure out how to best communicate with them. The students need emotional connections in order to engage well in the classroom.”
Students shared their thoughts on the BI’s. RAHS 11th grader Grace Langeslay MacLeod said, “I think the BI’s job is to get kids to class and break up fights in the hallways. I see BI’s talking to many students in a very laid back and friendly way.”
She continued by explaining how she believes BI’s are too friendly with students, “I always see them sharing things on their phone, and not being told to get to class because they are chatting with them instead of going to class.”
Jazlyn Shuma Grade 11 At RAHS claimed, “BI’s are there to break up fights and to bring you out of class if you’re doing something wrong. Also to keep situations contained among students. I notice the BI’s in one concentrated area and being super chill and friendly with students, maybe too friendly.”
Jeff McGaster believes in the power of building relationships as part of his job. He stated, “Saying good morning to a kid can make their day better.”
Chaput concluded a BI’s job is, “At the foundation to build a relationship with students and make school a physically and emotionally safe space, and create security for both teachers and students.”
