Support for Schools

Partners in Education Program

School partnerships support children who learn differently.

Any school may join Miriam’s Partners in Education program. The best part is that membership in the program is FREE! The Partners in Education program brings schools together who teach students who learn differently and connects schools with additional resources and training through the Learning Center. Membership provides schools with a free professional development breakfast in October at Miriam. It also gives member schools access to free phone consultation with Learning Center supervisors to identify resources for students. Members receive priority for services and discounts on some services when purchased.

Call the Learning Center at 314-961-1500 to inquire about becoming a member.

view our partners 

Contract Staffing

Whether schools need one or 40 weekly hours of service, the Learning Center can accommodate various needs and budgets.

The Learning Center offers a variety of contract special education personnel for hire. This includes school psychologists and examiners, speech/language pathologists, occupational and physical therapists, counselors, social workers, special education teachers, reading specialists, Board Certified Behavior Analysts, and paraprofessionals. We thoroughly screen workers to ensure those referred are professional, have a wide knowledge base, and fit well into your school’s culture. Contract staffing is available for full school years and long-term substitute positions.

Call us at 314-961-1500 to learn more.

We fill gaps in services for as little as one hour per week. Minimum per visit requirement will vary depending upon the position. 

Gen Ed to Special Education Teacher Certification Program

Miriam builds confident special education teachers through support and training.

Together, general education teachers, schools and Miriam can help tackle the special education teacher shortage in St. Louis.

Miriam is committed to increasing the number of certified special education teachers in Missouri so all children who learn differently receive quality education from caring, companionate, and well-trained teachers. The General Education to Special Education Teacher Certification Program takes general education certified teachers and gives them the support, tools, and skills needed to become well-equipped special education teachers. Participants work full or part-time as an educator while they gain new tools needed to teach divergent learners. Miriam offers the program at no cost to teachers and participants can receive $750 in cash stipends for becoming certified and completing the program requirements.

The program is a win-win situation for teachers and schools. Teachers acquire effective skills that allow them to teach all students within a classroom and the St. Louis area school districts gain quality special education certified staff through an affordable and low-cost training program.

Who can participate in the program? 

• Participants must have a willingness to learn and excitement about teaching children who learn differently.
• Teachers must hold a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education teaching certification in any area. A substitute certificate and associates degree in early childhood education does not qualify applicants for this program.
• During the program, participants must be working part- or full-time at a school in a teacher role. 
• A school must sponsor the teacher and pay the training fee.

To get started or to find out more about the program, schools or general education certified teachers may contact Miriam at 314-961-1500 or email ryoung@miriamstl.org. 

Tools for Teachers Training Program

Schools love Miriam’s Tools for Teachers training program because it give teachers and other academic staff more skills in their tool belt to be successful with all students. Schools pay an affordable fee for the program so up to 15 teachers/administrators/staff may participate.

• An unlimited number of staff may attend one half-day seminar on classroom management techniques and one full-day seminar on Universal Design for Learning, held at the host school. We recommend schools schedule trainings with Miriam during the early part of the school year.
• Miriam’s special education mentors will observe participants and they will provide three feedback sessions to help participants effectively use their new tools.
• School staff will self-rate the progress they make throughout the school year in their tool use.

Educators love Miriam’s Tools for Teachers training program because they gain confidence and new tools that help all of the students they serve, year after year, learn and grow. To find out more about the Tools for Teachers training program call 314-961-1500 or email ryoung@miriamstl.org.

Professional Development Training

Miriam shares its expertise with other educators so they can effectively teach complex learners. 

Miriam offers a wide variety of professional development training opportunities for schools and agencies. Miriam’s professionals will come to your school during the day, after school and some evenings. Click on the list for available topics. If you do not see your area of interest, we usually can customize training. Training is offered August through May. Contact the Learning Center at 314-961-1500 to discuss training. Schools are encouraged to schedule training early. Professional development schedules fill early. 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TOPICS