Our public school students need your expertise, passion and leadership.

We are looking for highly motivated and skilled talent to join our team at District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). We seek individuals who are passionate about transforming the DC school system and making a significant difference in the lives of public school students, parents, principals, teachers, and central office employees.

DCPS serves 50,000 students in the nation's capital through the efforts of approximately 4,000 educators in 118 schools. As part of a comprehensive reform effort to become the preeminent urban school system in America, DCPS intends to have the highest-performing, best paid, most satisfied, and most honored educator force in the nation and a distinctive central office staff whose work supports and drives instructional excellence and significant achievement gains for DCPS students.

Position Overview

The mission of the Office of Teaching and Learning (OTL) is to provide educators with curricular resources, academic programs, and aligned professional development to ensure rigorous and joyful learning experiences for every student. OTL team members support school-based staff in implementing DCPS's existing academic programs while simultaneously working to rethink and redesign school programming, academic and curricular resources, and educator professional development.

The Division of Specialized Instruction (DSI) with the Office of Teaching and Learning works to provide a high-quality continuum of services in an inclusive environment so every student with disabilities is prepared for success in college, career, and life. The division works with schools to design, implement, and monitor programs and supports for students with disabilities.

Divisions/Teams

• Related Services: The Related Services team (Audiology, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology) is committed to increasing educational access and independence of every student in our schools by providing quality evidence-based interventions to students through the provision IEP, 504 and RTI services.
• Transition: The Transition team oversees the process of preparing students for life after they leave high school, including participation in post-secondary education or training, employment, and community living.
• Academic Programs: The Academic Programs team oversees all DCPS self-contained special education classrooms, Extended School Year (ESY), and the Home and Hospital Instruction Program (HHIP).
• Inclusion: The Special Education Inclusion Team supports schools in providing students with disabilities the opportunity to succeed in inclusive settings through accommodations, modifications, and high-quality instruction aligned to grade-level expectations.
• Planning & Effectiveness: The Planning & Effectiveness team provides division-wide support in the areas of data- and evidence- driven decision making and progress monitoring, budgeting and procurement, and recruitment and hiring.
• Resolution: The Resolution team provides effective and equitable resolution to concerns and complaints from students, parents, and third parties raised to DCPS.
• Non-Public: The Non-Public team is responsible for monitoring the provision of special education and related services to DCPS students placed in non-public and residential environments.
• Monitoring & School Support: The Monitoring and School Support Team supports schools in complying with federal statutes, state requirements and regulations, and DCPS best practices.

The Academic Programs team oversees all DCPS self-contained special education classrooms, Extended School Year (ESY), and the Home and Hospital Instruction Program (HHIP).

A Dedicated Aide may be assigned to a student in any public school within the DCPS system. Situated at the center of national government, the goal of DPCS is to provide students with a quality education that prepares them to become future leaders, productive citizens, and individuals who are engaged in the life of the community. The District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) has students with disabilities that require the services and supports of a variety of Educational Aides pursuant to their Individual Education Plan (IEP).

Dedicated Aides provides 1:1 support to their assigned students; and will receive assignments from the Academic Programs Team in the Office of Teaching and Learning (OTL) - Division of Specialized Instruction.

The Dedicated Aide will report to the Local School Principal.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

• Assistance with daily living skills (including toileting, feeding and physical prompting).
• Assistance with orientation and mobility.
• Provide passive physical management, following training.
• Data collection for student’s academic and behavioral concerns.
• Ensure that their assigned students do not engage in dangerous elopement, major property destruction, and/or serious imminent danger to self-and/or others.

• Supports student with use of Assistive Technology, following training on the device(s), lifting/carrying, mobility etc.).

• Accompany student (i.e. in hallways, at lunch, recess, in all classroom activities, to the restroom, etc.).
• Reinforce educational concepts using instructional objectives and lessons developed by the teacher.
• Respond to the directions of the teacher and participate in planning and implementation of classroom activities and IEP’s.
• Demonstrate creativity flexibility, and perseverance in dealing with challenging learning, behavioral, family and classroom situations.
• Facilitate appropriate peer interactions and social skills.
• Assist in the implementation of the IEP.
• Communicate any concerns about the student to the teacher or administrator and not directly to parents.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or 48 college credit hours, or a passing score (461) on the Paraprofessional Praxis.

• Successful background and drug clearance.
• Previous exposure to or experience in the education sector a plus.

DCPS Values

• STUDENTS FIRST: We recognize students as whole children and put their needs first in everything we do.
• COURAGE: We have the audacity to learn from our successes and failures, to try new things, and to lead the nation as a proof point of PK-12 success.
• EQUITY: We work proactively to eliminate opportunity gaps by interrupting institutional bias and investing in effective strategies to ensure every student succeeds.
• EXCELLENCE: We work with integrity and hold ourselves accountable for exemplary outcomes, service, and interactions.
• TEAMWORK: We recognize that our greatest asset is our collective vision and ability to work collaboratively and authentically.
• JOY: We enjoy our collective work and will enthusiastically celebrate our success and each other.