3.1: School Leaders

Who's in Charge?

After-School Director

An after-school director is responsible for overseeing the planning, implementation, and management of after-school programs that provide a safe, engaging, and enriching environment for students outside regular school hours. They develop and coordinate activities that promote academic support, physical activity, creativity, and social-emotional growth. The director supervises staff, manages budgets, and ensures compliance with safety regulations and organizational policies. They also build strong relationships with students, parents, school administrators, and community partners to align the program with the needs of participants. By fostering a positive and inclusive atmosphere, the after-school director helps support students’ development, working families, and the broader school community.

After-School Teacher

An after-school teacher plays a vital role in supporting students’ development and well-being outside regular school hours. They design and implement engaging activities that enrich students’ learning, such as homework assistance, creative projects, STEM activities, and recreational games. After-school teachers foster a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment where students can build social skills, explore new interests, and develop confidence. They also monitor and guide behavior, ensure safety, and often collaborate with parents and school staff to address students' individual needs. Their role requires patience, creativity, organization, and a passion for helping children thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Para-Educator

A para-educator, also known as a paraprofessional or teaching assistant, supports teachers and students in the classroom by providing instructional assistance and ensuring a positive learning environment. They work closely with teachers to implement lesson plans, assist with classroom management, and provide individualized or small-group support to students who may need extra help. Para-educators often support students with special needs by adapting materials, offering one-on-one guidance, or helping with personal care tasks. They also monitor student behavior, assist during transitions, and help maintain classroom organization. Their role is essential in fostering an inclusive, supportive, and effective educational environment.

General Education Teacher

A teacher plays a vital role in shaping the intellectual, emotional, and social development of students while ensuring alignment with educational standards and assessments. Beyond delivering subject knowledge, they foster critical thinking, creativity, and curiosity, tailoring their teaching to diverse learning needs and curricular benchmarks. Teachers serve as mentors and role models, instilling values, discipline, and a love for lifelong learning. They design and implement lessons that meet academic standards, assess student progress through formative and summative evaluations, and use the results to adapt their teaching strategies. By creating a safe and supportive environment, they encourage students to ask questions, make mistakes, and grow. Additionally, teachers facilitate the application of knowledge to real-world situations and collaborate with parents, administrators, and communities to promote holistic development and ensure accountability to educational goals.

Resource Teacher

A resource teacher or special education teacher plays a crucial role in supporting students with diverse learning needs, disabilities, or developmental challenges, ensuring they have access to a quality and inclusive education. They develop and implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) tailored to each student's unique goals, strengths, and challenges while aligning with educational standards. These teachers provide specialized instruction, accommodations, and modifications to help students succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. They collaborate closely with general education teachers, parents, therapists, and other professionals to create a supportive and integrated learning environment. Additionally, they monitor student progress through assessments, adjust strategies as needed, and advocate for equitable resources and opportunities, empowering students to reach their full potential.

Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP)

A speech teacher in an elementary school, often referred to as a speech-language pathologist (SLP), plays a vital role in supporting students with communication challenges. They assess and address a range of speech and language issues, including articulation, fluency, voice disorders, and language comprehension or expression. Speech teachers develop and implement individualized therapy plans to help students improve their communication skills, which are essential for academic success and social interactions. They work closely with teachers, parents, and other specialists to integrate strategies into the classroom and home environments, ensuring consistency and progress. Additionally, they monitor student development, provide support in areas such as vocabulary and sentence structure, and advocate for tools or accommodations to help students thrive in both academic and social settings.

School Psychologist

A school psychologist plays a crucial role in supporting the academic, emotional, and social well-being of students. They assess and address learning challenges, behavioral issues, and mental health concerns through evaluations, counseling, and intervention strategies. School psychologists collaborate with teachers, parents, and administrators to create individualized plans, such as Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 plans, to support student success. They also provide crisis intervention, promote positive behavior, and develop programs to enhance school climate and student resilience. By serving as a bridge between the school and community resources, school psychologists help ensure that students receive the support they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

School Principal

An elementary school principal serves as the instructional leader and administrative head of the school, ensuring a safe, inclusive, and productive environment for students and staff. They oversee all aspects of school operations, including curriculum implementation, teacher evaluations, student discipline, budget management, and compliance with educational policies. Principals set the vision and goals for the school, fostering academic excellence and social-emotional growth for all students. They play a crucial role in supporting students with special needs by ensuring the development, implementation, and monitoring of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in collaboration with teachers, parents, and special education staff. Additionally, principals are responsible for hiring and mentoring staff, leading professional development, and fostering a positive and equitable school culture where every student is empowered to reach their full potential.