New Beginnings uses a team approach, with each team comprised of two social workers, a school nurse, teachers, occupational and physical therapists, an adaptive physical education teacher and classroom and personal assistants, all of whom work with each student. Through our team approach, New Beginnings provides an effective and individualized program. Team members work closely with one another to ensure that the individual needs of each student are addressed. Parents and/or guardians are also considered members of our team, and are encouraged to take an active role in the implementation of techniques at home. The members of each discipline stay informed about new developments in their respective fields, and share information with their colleagues about any emerging techniques that are consistent with and promote our philosophy and core techniques.
Each classroom is led by a full-time certified Teacher of the Handicapped or Teacher of Students with Disabilities. Depending upon the type of students in the classroom, teacher assistants are assigned to classrooms, ranging from a 4:1 to 1:1 student to teacher ratio. One-on-one assistants are also assigned when specified in a student’s IEP.
Related services are delivered to each student according to what is specified in the student’s IEP. Speech therapists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists conduct therapies in state-of-the-art “suites” and are provided with a wide array of tools and supplies. Individual class assignments allow classroom staff and therapists the benefit of implementing an integrated approach to meeting students' IEP goals and objectives.
Our administrative team is composed of our director, principal, program supervisor, and head teachers. Our executive staff includes two executive directors. Members of our teams attend a variety of professional development seminars and strive to keep our program on the forefront of educating students with special needs.
Additional staff members include a board-certified behavior analyst, a full-time art teacher, a reading specialist, and other outside consultants. The professional growth and education of staff is encouraged by the administration. All staff members participate in in-service training throughout the year, and take advantage of professional day released time, as well as tuition reimbursement for continuing enrollment in college courses. Certified staff members complete an annual Professional Improvement Plan (PIP). Non-certified staff members are also encouraged to complete a PIP.
