Behavioral Specialist

We asked Behavioral Specialist Jesse Kleckner to introduce us to his job at DePaul Family Services.

As a Behavioral Specialist I work closely with DePaul Family Services' clients and staff in the school system to ensure a safe, productive environment in which a client can grow academically.

The position of Behavioral Specialist is one which requires great patience and tact; it is a constant trade between giving encouragement and laying down restrictions. The Behavioral Specialist's role in the school often switches between student and teacher; between mentor and pupil.

These constant shifts in function and perspective make each day a unique experience. In my opinion, the main goals of the Behavioral Specialist are to encourage academic success as well as social stability. The former is achieved by preparing the client for class with organizational skills, solid study habits, and a desire to learn new material. The latter is achieved by promoting fairness, respect, equality, sharing, and empathy.

The client is usually in need of constant supervision with scholastics and social interactions with peers and teachers. He needs guidance and support in most aspects of his scholastic and social lives. The job has constant highs and lows, but overall it can be a deeply rewarding experience. When the client begins to grow and succeed in his or her educational and social ventures, you can feel the impact that your encouragement and mentoring has had on him or her.

You can witness the seeds of success budding and flowering as the clients' needs are tended and nurtured.

Jesse Kleckner, Behavioral Specialist, Clinical Services Program, Roanoke