Returner: Paraeducator | SALA (Summer Arts for Learning Academy)

Seasonal Employment at Arts for Learning • Baltimore, MD

4d • $30 - $30

About The Position

The SALA Gen. Ed. and ESOL Paraeducator is key to ensuring all students receive the support necessary to thrive in a unique and creative learning environment. Paras are required to work hand in hand with SALA staff to support all students within the Summer Arts for Learning Academy, no matter their learning preferences or backgrounds. All Paras are expected to provide support both through one-on-one interactions with students and through full classroom support. Paras are responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to students and will support Special Educators in meeting IEP goals for specific students, but are expected to support all students with special needs regardless of IEP status. ESOL Paras will work closely with ESOL Teachers in order to ensure ELLs feel supported and are able to make the most of their time in SALA.

Requirements

• Classroom experience, preferably within special education settings and/or with ELLs and/or students from different backgrounds.
• A passion for students: an ability to build meaningful relationships and a desire to “go above and beyond” to ensure each student’s success.
• A strong desire to fully integrate into a non-traditional learning environment where flexibility is strongly valued and where new and innovative ideas are not only cultivated but expected from all staff.
• Knowledge of federal laws protecting the educational services for students with disabilities.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with students, peers, and parents.
• An ability to attend and engage in all required training and program dates.
• A willingness to use either the school office landline or their personal cell phone (number blocking is acceptable) to contact parents as needed.
• An ability to create inclusive environments where all students’ unique gifts and talents are discovered and cultivated and where students’ identities (racial, cultural, social, gender, etc.) are acknowledged, affirmed, and reflected around them.
• An ability to examine biases and an understanding of the concepts of institutional and structural racism and its impact on policies and practices, especially related to the administration of public education.
• A commitment to seeing families as partners in education and communicating with them regularly.
• Please note, staff working in SALA will need to be able to stand, walk, and be active throughout the entire duration of the program day. They will need to be able to keep up with and supervise students within and outside the classroom, for example, during Fitness and Fun time and field trips. Staff will also need to be able to lift up to 20lbs on occasion when setting up and breaking down classroom and/or preparing for performances and other events. Bending, kneeling, and climbing stairs are also frequently needed during SALA.
• SALA Gen. Ed. and ESOL Paraeducators must be able to commit to attending program and training days, including PD week shortly before program launch, and spring PD dates that will occur March-June.

Nice To Haves

• ESOL Paras will, preferably, speak a second language.

Responsibilities

• Support and supervise students during arrival and dismissal.
• Assist Classroom Teachers and Teaching Artists with copying and modifying items to support teaching and learning.
• Regularly communicate with the Instructional Team so that students' needs are being met through a cohesive team strategy.
• Build relationships with students and staff, and be an essential liaison with families to create a positive and supportive community within the classroom and the site.
• Engage parents, guardians, and families effectively and in a culturally appropriate fashion, including responding to family inquiries in a timely manner and contacting parents/guardians to provide progress updates, share challenges, or address concerns.
• Support students in transitions from and to, and during, lunch and Fitness & Fun periods.
• Attend all professional development and planning meetings as instructed by Arts for Learning and SALA Site Directors.
• Complete or oversee the completion of all required paperwork as assigned by the Site Director, including student attendance records, student pre and post surveys or assessments, student observation rubrics, student progress reports, etc.
• Assist with the preparation and planning student showcases.
• Assist in the preparation and display of student work.
• Submit verbal and written reports as required.
• Assist with the administration of student program evaluations when needed.
• Work in partnership with the Classroom Teacher, Teaching Artist, and Lead Special Educator to: Understand student IEPs and 504 Plans and the accommodations they need to be successful and implement strategies to meet the accommodations.
• Support instruction based on the needs of the students and the teaching pair (Classroom Teacher and Teaching Artist).
• Work with other professionals, such as Nurses, Speech Therapists, Social Workers, Occupational, and Physical Therapists on site.
• Assist Classroom Teachers and Teaching Artists with maintaining student records.
• Support students to assist them in developing appropriate strategies to succeed.
• Coordinate instructional activities and collaborate with other professional staff both school and non school-based, as required to maximize learning opportunities.
• Implement ESOL services under the direction and guidance of the site ESOL teacher.
• Use instructional strategies and techniques to provide ESOL instructional assistance and support to individual students and small groups in the classroom.
• Prepare and organize materials and instructional space to support ESOL students.
• Use strategies that promote students’ independence for learning.
• Assist students to use English language skills in a culturally responsive and respectful manner.
• Support the site ESOL teacher in using and adapting a variety of developmentally and age appropriate materials and equipment, including technology, to support students’ English language development.
• Communicate, follow instructions, and use problem solving and other skills that will enable the individual to work as an effective member of the ESOL team.
• Collaborate with the ESOL team in advocating for your ELL’s needs, and in obtaining the necessary resources for them to thrive and be able to fully participate in the program this summer.

Benefits

• This position is eligible for time-off in the form of Sick & Safe Leave.
• Sick and Safe Leave is accrued at a rate of one hour for every thirty hours worked and begins accruing on day one of employment.
• Employees may use the leave in increments of 1 hour or greater.
• Employees will be paid at their current regular rate for each accrued Sick and Safe Leave hour used.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed