BTC growing their own, helping students land jobs in school district

Bloomington Public Schools creates pathways for its young adult students to gain employment in the district. This year the district hired seven individuals from its Bloomington Transition Center (BTC) program to work as paraprofessionals, custodians, and food services staff.

This ‘grow your own’ approach begins with a work experience internship option for students in high school to gain employment skills. Some students receiving special education services continue their journey at BTC after high school, where they focus on building skills for independent living and employment in their community. At BTC, students develop a "Good Life" snapshot that reflects their personal goals and aspirations. BTC staff then offers tailored programs and support to help students work toward these goals, guiding them in creating a fulfilling future.

For Martavis Robinson, working as a paraprofessional was always part of his Good Life. A 2023 Kennedy graduate, Robinson participated in the work experience internship by helping early childhood students at Pond Center. After attending BTC and completing the program, he applied and was offered a paraprofessional position in the early childhood special education program.

“I really wanted to help kids grow so they can have a good future. I love seeing the students’ smiles every day and I love seeing them grow as human beings,” said Robinson.

It’s a similar story for Charlie Argall, another paraprofessional helping special education students at Westwood Elementary School. The 2023 Jefferson High School graduate completed an internship at Poplar Bridge Elementary School as part of BTC’s Project LIFE program.

“When I did the internship at Poplar Bridge, I helped in a fifth grade classroom. The teacher saw I was good with the kids, so they had me work with a first grader who needed some extra support,” said Argall of his early experience. “I already knew I wanted to work with kids like a lot of my family, who are teachers.”

Adam Rich is still in the BTC program, but was hired on as a substitute custodian for the district. As a Jefferson student, Rich completed an internship in the buildings and grounds department. Rich says he enjoyed to experience so much that he was hired for summer employment and then was asked to stay on for the school year. Lately he has been picking up a lot of hours at Jefferson.

Internships that lead to employment for students are a demonstration of the work of the district’s Strategic Plan to empower and equip each learner to succeed. By instilling the confidence for students to explore their dreams and believe in their full potential, they are able to achieve their goals and personal success.