Returner Paraeducator | SALA (Summer Arts for Learning Academy)

SUMMER ARTS FOR LEARNING ACADEMY (SALA)

Paraeducator (General Education and ESOL)

Reports to: Lead Special Educator Summer Arts for Learning Academy

About the Summer Arts for Learning Academy:

Baltimore City Schools Summer Arts for Learning Academy (SALA) operated by Arts for Learning Maryland offers students an opportunity to imagine create and express who they are through the arts. This is an action-packed full-day five-week program (Monday - Thursday) that introduces students to a wide variety of art forms from illustration and spoken word to percussion drama and dance which gives students a chance to work alongside students from across the city and be taught by professional Artists. Students work is celebrated through a student showcase on the final day of the program. Arts for Learning Maryland will host ten Academy sites throughout the city locations TBD.

Mission and Core Values:

The mission of Arts for Learning Marylands Summer Arts for Learning Academy (SALA) is to provide students with an opportunity to spend summer learning from the best Teachers and Teaching Artists our state has to offer. Through a dynamic creative and supportive environment students will explore math and literacy in a unique arts-integrated environment that allows them to develop socially and emotionally expands their personal creative process introduces them to different art forms taught by professional Artists and allows them to experience math and literacy content from a different lens.

We

• believe unwaveringly that ALL students can achieve high standards in and through the arts.
• provide opportunities for students to develop powerfully articulate voices through art forms and honor their creative processes along the way.
• create safe brave learning environments for students to grow make mistakes and contribute to the community.
• collaborate and reflect by learning from and with each other at every step of the process cultivating positive relationships between all ages.
• encourage the development of critical thinking problem solving inquiry imagination and creativity and provide multiple ways for students to demonstrate knowledge and mastery.
• learn about honor and leverage the cultural knowledge experiences and frames of reference of our students and community to make learning more relevant and effective.
• ensure that our students are known loved supported celebrated and valued.

SALA Paraeducator

Job Description

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.

Ideal Gen. Ed. and ESOL Paraeducators Have:

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

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.

Job Responsibilities:

As a member of the Instructional Support Team:

• 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.

SALA Gen. Ed. Paraeducators hold these specific responsibilities:

• 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.
• Other duties as assigned

ESOL Paraeducators hold these specific responsibilities:

• 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 ELLs needs and in obtaining the necessary resources for them to thrive and be able to fully participate in the program this summer.

Required Dates Times and Working Hours:

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. Specific dates and deadlines will be provided in a timely manner and all training is paid.

SALA Program Dates: 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.

• Paraeducator time commitment: 7 hours a day (8:30am - 3:30pm)
• Weekly Meetings: One 30-minute staff meeting per week (days/times TBD by Site Directors). These meetings are required and paid.

Compensation:

• All SALA Paraeducator positions are temporary non-exempt positions and are not eligible for employee benefits. This position is eligible for time-off in the form of Sick & Safe Leave.
• Paraeducators will be paid at an hourly rate of $30.00.
• ALL positions will be paid at the hourly rate of $25.00 for all professional development sessions and training.

Time Off:

Grant and special-funded staff hired for short-term assignments internships and as temporary project-based staff are not eligible to accrue PTO however Sick and Safe leave is available to these employees. 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.

Employees who have questions about Sick and Safe Leave including (i) their eligibility for Sick and Safe Leave; (ii) when Sick and Safe Leave may be used; and (iii) the amount of available Sick and Safe Leave should promptly contact the People Operations Department ()

To Apply:

For consideration apply online at for Learning Maryland (formerly Young Audiences of Maryland) is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to cultivating a diverse workforce and equitable workplace. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds regardless of race ethnicity gender sexual orientation gender identity and expression age national origin veteran status and disability. All qualified applications will be given equal opportunity.

Required Experience:

IC