New: Student Support Specialist | SALA (Summer Arts for Learning Academy)

Seasonal Employment at Arts for Learning • Baltimore, MD

5d • $30 - $30

About The Position

The Summer Arts for Learning Academy (SALA) Student Support Specialist works side by side with the Site Director, the Arts Integration Coach, and the Lead Special Educator to create and foster a positive, safe, and productive learning environment for all students and staff at their site. The Student Support Specialist is key in developing the Student Support Plan for the site in partnership with the Site Director, who will effectively oversee these plans throughout the Summer. The position requires the staff member to facilitate one-on-one and group conflict-resolution sessions and provide in-classroom support when needed. The Student Support Specialist is also required to provide supervision to students while not in classroom settings (e.g., lunchtime, Fitness and Fun, field trips, etc.)

Requirements

• A willingness to use either the school office landline or their personal cell phone (number blocking is acceptable) to contact parents and guardians, as needed.
• SALA Student Support staff 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.
• For all Baltimore sites, the program will run Monday through Thursday for a 5 week period of time.
• Program hours for students are 8:30 am (Breakfast) to 3:00 pm.
• Student Support staff time commitment: 7 hours a day (8.30am - 3.30pm)
• One 30-minute staff meeting per week (days/times TBD by Site Directors). These meetings are required and paid.

Nice To Haves

• A knowledge of and experience utilizing restorative practices when conflict arises.
• A willingness to collaborate with the Site Director in finding strategies to best support the students at their site.
• An ability to support 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 passion for students: an ability to build meaningful relationships and a desire to “go above and beyond” to ensure each student’s success.
• A commitment to seeing families as partners in education and communicating with them regularly.
• 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.

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.
• Determine the best ways to support and counsel children who consistently challenge classroom norms and agreements.
• Share best practices, strategies, and pedagogies that will help Teachers and Teaching Artists support students in times of crisis.
• Monitor hallways and bathrooms both during class time and transition time.
• Be fully knowledgeable in the Student Support Plan for their site.
• Keep an updated record of all student interactions and/or incidents to be shared with the Site Directors and the SALA HQ team as required.
• Maintain frequent communication with students’ families to keep them informed of any incidents their students may have been involved with. Keep a log of such communications.
• Connect with staff and parents/guardians as needed to ensure student support in the classroom.
• Support Classroom Teachers and Teaching Artists in fostering an inclusive environment by adapting lesson plans/schedules so all students can participate.
• identify, monitor, and provide services to students so that all learners can be successful in SALA using all available resource
• Assist children who may be facing emotional or behavioral challenges through redirection and additional supports.
• Work one-on-one with children on academic content as needed when a child has been removed from the classroom.
• Supervise students during Breakfast, Lunch, and transition time.
• Support PE Teachers during Fitness and Fun time as required.
• Act as a positive role model to students and model positive interactions with the other adults on site.

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