The Organization

Since it began operating in 1997, the See Forever Foundation's mission has been to create learning communities in lower-income urban areas where all students, particularly those who have not succeeded in traditional schools, can succeed academically and socially. The Foundation operates the Maya Angelou Public Charter Schools in DC, as well as the Maya Angelou Academy at New Beginnings’ secure facility for committed youth in Laurel, MD. Our students develop the academic, social, and employment skills they need to build rewarding lives and promote positive change.

If you are interested in learning more about See Forever, please visit our website at www.seeforever.org.

The Academy

Our mission at the Academy is to provide a safe, nurturing, and mutually respectful environment that motivates and prepares each student to fulfill his academic or career potential. With the support of a wide circle of caring adults, students will develop the skills they need to make sound decisions and lead rewarding lives.

The Touchstone

At the Maya Angelou Schools, the key to our success is rooted in building trusting, respectful, and nurturing relationships with each other. We strive to create safe spaces for all to be able to reach their limitless potential. We are at our best when we work together to ensure the unique needs of our community are met. We empower each other to grow successfully so we can see forever! This is how we live the Maya Way, even when no one is watching.

Position Overview

Dedicated Aides are assigned to work with a specific scholar with a disability and support scholars in numerous situations. They work to allow scholars with disabilities to be educated alongside nondisabled scholars to the maximum extent appropriate. Dedicated Aides accompany the scholar to all classes during the school day, implement the scholar’s behavior plan, provide individualized attention and instruction during academic periods, and support them during other portions of the day, as determined by individual scholar needs. Some of the more common reasons for this type of support include (1) protection/safety of the scholar, (2) instructional support, (3) transition, and (4) reduction of anxiety for the scholar. Dedicated Aides carry out their responsibilities under the direct supervision of the Special Education Coordinator. Dedicated Aids will ideally work with scholars throughout the school year.

Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

• Travel to school in a timely manner
• Communicate appropriately with co-workers and special needs students
• Develop bonds with scholars and work with their parents
• Create and maintain a climate of respect and fairness for all scholars
• Use creativity to plan activities for scholars
• Model appropriate spoken and written language skills
• Coach assigned student in social problem solving, and appropriate behavior
• Work with assigned students on academic tasks specified in the daily lesson plan
• Collect observations and data on student learning and behavior
• Keep scholar information confidential by treating it with the strictest confidence and refraining from discussing the student outside of the school environment

Dedicated Aides support positive scholar behavior and classroom and school culture by:

• Implementing supports and consequences specified in the scholar’s Behavior Intervention Plan
• Responding to scholar behavior using Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports

Dedicated Aides support youth’s safety and physical well-being during the school day by:

• Ensuring that they are with the assigned youth during all hours specified on the IEP, including moving with the assigned youth to all locations, accompanying them within the school environment to ensure safety, and asking for help when a youth’s behavior threatens their own or other’s safety

Additionally, Dedicated Aides may be asked to:

• Support all scholars in a class in addition to their assigned scholar
• Attend meetings
• Participate in lesson planning
• Participate in additional training and professional development provided by the Chief of Schools and other school leaders
• Provide substitute teaching support on an as-needed basis

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma
• Tutoring experience
• Basic reading and math proficiency
• Basic people skills and ability to work with special needs students

Desired Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of special education students
• A bachelor’s degree or pursuit of a bachelor’s degree
• A desire to develop a career within Maya Angelou Schools

Site Description

The Maya Angelou Academy at New Beginnings is the long-term juvenile facility located in Laurel, MD. Maya Angelou Academy at New Beginnings serves youth ages 13-21. The school is located inside New Beginnings Youth Development Center. Our students develop the academic, social, and employment skills they need to build rewarding lives and promote positive change.

Salary and Benefits

Our salaries are comparable to those of other public schools in the District of Columbia area. In addition, See Forever offers a robust benefits plan, including health care coverage, HSA/FSA and dependent care accounts, voluntary dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability options, commuter benefits, a 401k retirement savings plan, student loan refinancing options, and the opportunity to positively impact students with a broad range of experiences and backgrounds.

See Forever is an equal-opportunity employer. We believe a diverse staff is a better, more effective staff.