Student Support Specialist - ASALA (After School Arts for Learning)

2025–2026 AFTER SCHOOL ARTS FOR LEARNING ACADEMY (ASALA) STUDENT SUPPORT

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 300,000 hours of learning in, through, and about the arts to more than 185,000 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 Arts for Learning After School

The After School Arts for Learning Academy (ASALA), operated by Arts for Learning Maryland (A4L) in partnership with Baltimore City Schools, gives students the opportunity to imagine, create, and express themselves through the arts.

This exciting program runs four days a week, three hours per day , and introduces students to a wide range of art forms—from illustration and spoken word to percussion, drama, and dance—while also strengthening literacy and math skills through co-planned, arts-integrated lessons. Each site serves up to 156 students, working in groups of 26 with a certified teacher and professional teaching artist.

Mission, Core Values, and Anti-Racist Practices :

ASALA's mission is to provide students with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn with outstanding teachers and teaching artists in a dynamic, creative, supportive, and student centered environment.

We are committed to :

Believing in the potential of all students to achieve through the arts.Honoring students' voices and creative processes.Creating safe, inclusive, and brave learning spaces.Cultivating strong relationships with students, families, and staff through a culture of learning, collaboration, and reflection.Encouraging critical thinking, problem solving, inquiry, imagination, and creativity through multiple pathways of teaching and learning.Knowing, honoring, and leveraging the cultural knowledge and lived experiences of students and communities.Ensuring every student is known, loved, supported, celebrated, and valued.Creating inclusive environments where all students' unique talents are discovered and cultivated, and where their identities are reflected all around them and matter through acknowledgement and affirmationConfronting biases and taking small, but consistent steps to eliminate systemic racism in education.Cultivating spaces where Black joy thrives.Engaging with families as true partners in the work. Position Overview

The After School Arts for Learning Academy (ASALA) Student Support Specialist is a part-time, non-exempt position reporting to the Site Director. This role works closely with the Site Director to create a safe, supportive, and productive learning environment for all students and staff.

The Student Support Specialist is responsible for developing and overseeing the site's student support plan, providing conflict resolution and in-classroom support, and ensuring students have the resources they need to succeed. This role requires flexibility, strong relationship-building skills, and a deep commitment to fostering inclusive, equitable learning spaces.

Key Responsibilities

Student Support & Behavior Management

Collaborate with the Site Director and Site Support to develop and implement a comprehensive student support plan.Design and carry out site-wide behavior management systems and related policies.Counsel and support students who struggle with behavior and / or academics.Facilitate one-on-one and group conflict resolution sessions using restorative practices.Work with students individually or in small groups on academic content when removed from class.Share best practices, strategies, and resources to help teachers and artists support students during challenges.Partner with staff and parents / guardians to ensure students are supported in and out of the classroom.

Collaboration & Training

Assist in training site staff on student support strategies and the site's support plan.Partner with all program staff to identify and monitor students in need of additional support.Work alongside program staff to leverage resources that help students succeed.

Administrative & Operational Support

Assist the Site Director with administrative tasks, including tracking student attendance, staff attendance, and student assessments.Supervise students during meals, recess, early arrival, and late dismissal.Support planning and execution of the culminating student showcase, including gathering student work samples, photos, and assisting with the ASALA yearbook.Submit incident reports and other required documentation in a timely manner.Act as a positive role model for students. Qualifications

The ideal candidate will bring strong interpersonal skills, a passion for students, and a commitment to equity and inclusion.

Experience supporting students in educational or youth development settings.Ability to foster inclusive environments that affirm students' racial, cultural, social, and gender identities.Understanding of institutional and structural racism and its impact on education; commitment to equity-driven practices.Experience utilizing restorative practices for conflict resolution.Strong collaboration and communication skills with students, staff, and families.Commitment to consistent site presence to ensure staff and students are supported.Passion for working with students and willingness to “go above and beyond” to support their success.Flexibility to thrive in a non-traditional learning environment that values creativity and innovation.Willingness to use the school office phone or personal cell phone (with number blocking if desired) to contact families.Ability to attend and actively engage in all required training and program sessions. Required Dates & Hours Program : Monday–Thursday, 2 : 30–6 : 45 PM (3 hrs / day), plus arrival 15 minutes before program start (times may vary by site). Meetings : 30-minute weekly staff meeting. Training : Up to 10 hours of asynchronous training before PD week.In-person PD prior to program launch.12 hours of race equity training during the program.Monthly in-person collaborative planning (first Friday of each month, 4–7 PM). Compensation

This is a part-time, non-exempt, temporary position .

Instruction time : $40 / hour Meetings & planning : $30 / hourNot eligible for benefits 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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