Positive Behavior Management Coach
Project Description
The Special Education Unit in the Ministry of Education in St. Lucia, Eastern Caribbean has requested the support of a Peace Corps Response Volunteer (PCRV) to serve as a Positive Behavior Management Coach. Although corporal punishment in schools was recently abolished in St. Lucia, many teachers who grew up with and practiced that method of student behavior management for years are in need of retraining and guidance in the implementation of a more compassionate approach to managing behavior. In particular, special education schools require a safe, consistent and systematic framework for managing student behavior that is child-friendly and promotes holistic development. The support of a PCRV has been requested to establish a replicable school-wide framework for the management of student behavior in special education schools and provide an implementation coach for school personnel and parents for this framework.
The PCRV will work closely with a team at each school that includes the principal and a senior teacher to co-develop a Positive Behavior Management (PBM) framework or adapt an existing framework; customize it to the circumstances of two targeted schools; and train and coach the schools’ faculty in its implementation. The successful implementation of this project will help to: 1) prevent and reduce challenging behaviors through the promotion of healthy social values, 2) promote constructive approaches that build skills and opportunities while reducing or eliminating anti-social behaviors, and 3) improve quality of life for the individual student and their school/home support network. These benefits have the potential to improve how students with special needs benefit from school, and thus their life outcomes.
Please note that departure dates and other details of this project could change because of the uncertainties as Peace Corps and local partners resume volunteer operations. Candidates selected for this position will be arriving in the Eastern Caribbean together as a group, so while the departure dates for the whole group could change, dates cannot be changed for individual candidates.
Partner Information
Special Education Unit (SEU), Ministry of Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training
Required Skills
• High tolerance for ambiguity and high level of flexibility – some details of this project could change because of the uncertainties as Peace Corps and local partners resume volunteer operations
• Masters’ degree in Child Psychology, Clinical Psychology, School Counseling or related field OR bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and at least 8 years of relevant professional experience
• At least 3 years’ experience working in a special education setting
• At least 3 years’ experience in designing and implementing school-wide Behaviour Management Systems
• At least 3 years’ experience designing and facilitating training workshops for adult learners
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Willingness to persevere through challenges (travel, climate, interacting with multiple people and agencies, cultural differences, etc.)
• Willingness to approach the position through the Peace Corps’ philosophy on development
The Peace Corps embraces and leverages the diversity of its volunteers as a reflection of America's diversity. Peace Corps Response is committed to reflecting the diversity of the United States in the professionals we send into the field to support the mission of world peace and friendship. Applicants with diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Serving in Eastern Caribbean
Learn more about the Volunteer experience in Eastern Caribbean: Get detailed information on culture, communications, housing, and safety — including crime statistics [PDF] — in order to make a well-informed decision about serving.
Medical Considerations
Before you apply, please review Medical Information for Applicants to learn about the medical clearance process.
Does this sound like the position for you?
Get started on your journey.