After School Arts for Learning Academy (ASALA) - Paraeducator

2024–2025 AFTER SCHOOL ARTS FOR LEARNING ACADEMY (ASALA) - PARAEDUCATOR

About Arts for Learning Maryland

Arts for Learning Maryland (formerly Young Audiences of Maryland) is devoted to enriching the lives and education of Maryland's youth through educational and culturally diverse arts programs. Through Arts for Learning, professional teaching artists from all disciplines partner with educators, schools, and school districts to provide on average over 560,000 hours of learning in, through, and about the arts to more than 155,000 Maryland students annually.

Arts for Learning is a mission-driven organization that values community, innovation, and passion. The staff, board, and teaching artists have a shared commitment to advance equity in the field of education by working tirelessly to generate opportunities for students to imagine, create, and realize their full potential through the arts.

About the After School Arts for Learning Academy (ASALA)

Baltimore City Schools' After School Arts for Learning Academy (ASALA) program, operated by Arts for Learning Maryland (A4L), offers students an opportunity to imagine, create, and express who they are through the arts. This is an action-packed, four-day-a-week, three-hour-per-day program that introduces students to a wide variety of art forms—from illustration and spoken word to percussion, drama, and dance—and gives students a chance to work alongside other students from across the city and be taught by professional artists. Daily literacy and math classes are co-planned by a teacher and professional teaching artist, allowing students to experience reading, writing, and math like never before…through the arts! Arts for Learning will host five program sites throughout the City. Each site will host up to 156 students, and teachers and artists will work with groups of up to 26 students.

Mission, Core Values, and Anti-racist Practices :

The mission of the After School Arts for Learning Academy (ASALA) is to provide students with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend time 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, and introduces them to many different art forms taught by professional artists.

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, inclusive 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;create inclusive environments where all students' unique gifts and talents are discovered and cultivated, and where students' identities (racial, cultural, social, gender, etc.) are reflected all around them and matter through acknowledgement and affirmation;examine biases and understand the concepts of institutional and structural racism and its impact on policies and practices, especially related to the administration of public education;have a passion for students : an ability to build meaningful relationships and a desire to “go above and beyond” to create homeplaces where Black joy is cultivated and thrives and;commit to seeing families as partners in education and communicating with them regularly.

Job Description :

The After School Arts for Learning Academy (ASALA) Paraeducator position is a part-time, non-exempt position reporting to the ASALA site director and the IEP chair. The ASALA paraeducator is key to ensuring all students receive the support necessary to thrive in a unique and creative learning environment. Paraeducators are required to work hand in hand with ASALA staff to support students with IEPs within the ASALA program. Paraeducators are expected to provide support both through one-on-one interactions with students and through full classroom support. Paraeducators are responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to students and will support lead special educators in meeting IEP goals for specific students. In addition to serving specific students, paraeducators are expected to support all students with special needs regardless of IEP status.

Responsibilities Include :

Work in partnership with the classroom teacher, teaching artist, and lead special educator to : Understand student IEPs and the accommodations they need to be successful.Identify students needing extra support, regardless of IEP status.Support instruction based on the needs of the students and teachers.Provide support for individual students inside and outside the classroom to enable them to fully participate in activities. Assist classroom teachers and teaching artists with maintaining student records.Support students with emotional or behavioral concerns and assist them in developing appropriate strategies to succeed.Assist in the preparation and display of student work. Assist classroom teachers and teaching artists with copying and modifying items to support teaching.Regularly communicate with teachers, teaching artists, and lead special educators so that students" needs are being met through a cohesive team strategy.Work with parents of special education children to ensure ongoing communication and instructional support system.Coordinate instructional activities and collaborate with other professional staff as required to maximize learning opportunities.Build relationships with students, staff, and parents, and create a positive, supportive community within the classroom and site.Support students during lunch and recess periods. Attend all professional development and planning meetings as instructed by the site director.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.Engage parents, guardians, and families effectively, including responding to family inquiries in a timely manner, and contacting parents / guardians to provide progress updates, share challenges, or address disciplinary concerns.Collect photos and samples of student work and assist site admin with the creation of the ASALA yearbook.Assist with the preparation and planning of the final student culminating showcase. All staff will also attend the final student culminating showcase. Submit verbal and written reports as required.Assist with the administration of student program evaluations when needed.Act as a positive role model for students.

Qualifications :

The person in this position plays a key role in the program and requires a passion for arts education, excellent organization, collaborative planning within and across departments, and leadership ability.

Classroom experience, preferably within special education settings.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.

Required Dates, Times, and Working Hours :

To be considered for employment, staff must be able to commit to attending all training and program days listed below.

Program Dates and Details (subject to change based on site) :

The program will operate Monday-Thursday from 2 : 30-6 : 45 PM (program times could alter depending on site).Paraeducator hours are Monday-Thursday from 2 : 30-6 : 45 PM (times subject to change based on site but 3 hours per day is the requirement).One 30-minute staff meeting per week.

Time Off :

Grant- and special-funded staff, hired for short-term assignments, internships, and as temporary project-based staff, are not eligible to accrue paid time off, 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 (pops@artsforlearningmd.org)

Compensation :

The After School Arts for Learning Academy (ASALA) Paraeducator position is a part-time non-exempt, temporary position and is not eligible for employee benefits.This position is paid an hourly rate of $25 / hr. To Apply :

For consideration, please apply on our website, https : / / artsforlearningmd.org / . Please do not send applications that include headshots or photos of yourself. No phone calls or recruiters, please. All employees will be subject to a federal and state background check in accordance with state and federal law.

Arts for Learning 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.

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Salary : $25