The Children’s Guild was pleased to be recognized in the Maryland Association of Nonpublic Special Education Facilities (MANSEF) December 2023 Newsletter. MANSEF is a not-for-profit organization of 70 nonpublic special education facilities approved by the Maryland State Department of Education. These schools promote quality services for children and youth with disabilities.

The School News section of the MANSEF December 2023 Newsletter discussed:

• The Children’s Guild School of Baltimore’s new Career Center. This Career Center provides students with valuable hands-on projects that impart amazing skills. Through engaging activities, such as building Bluetooth speakers, students are exposed to diverse future possibilities and pathways. This initiative not only expands their horizons but also instills a sense of capability and creativity. It also allows students to surpass their circumstances, fostering a mindset of realizing their potential and embracing learning through appropriate channels.
• The Children’s Guild School of Prince George’s County received funding for assisted learning devices. This new program caters to students requiring additional resources in the classroom. These devices aim to break down barriers to learning, enabling students to excel in their academic pursuits during the current school year. These investments demonstrate the commitment to providing tailored support and ensuring every student has the tools needed to succeed.
• The Children’s Guild: Transformation Academy pays tribute to Louise G. Goldberg, a former dedicated teacher and board member. Through her legacy gift to the organization, a vocational room named after her has been established. The Louise G. Goldberg Vocational Room serves as a space for students to develop essential skills and enhance job readiness, improving their employability and overall quality of life. The room was dedicated in her memory, with her family present to celebrate the grand opening and honor her enduring influence on the organization.

Mr. Rykiel and Ms. Fletcher assist students in Career and College Readiness at The Children’s Guild School of Baltimore. This program focuses on preparing students for life after high school. These incredible teachers assist our students in developing essential skills required for diverse career paths, whether pursuing higher education or entering the workforce. Mr. Rykiel emphasizes the development of soft skills such as teamwork, communication, and work ethic, recognizing their universal importance in any job setting.

This course incorporates hands-on activities into the curriculum to provide students with a variety of learning techniques. It teaches practical skills related to specific career paths and provides students with a tangible experience of the working world. One notable example is the Bluetooth speaker that students crafted in the classroom. The excitement and enthusiasm of the students upon completing this project demonstrates the effectiveness of this approach. Hands-on activities not only engage the students but also allow them to see the direct application of their skills in real-world scenarios.

Ms. Fletcher, the Career Readiness, and Instructional Assistant, as well as the Transition Coordinator, collaborates with Mr. Rykiel to support students looking beyond high school. Recognizing that many students may face challenges in envisioning their future beyond the immediate context of school, she plays a crucial role in guiding them toward various post-high school paths. This includes exploring options such as trade school or college, and helping students identify and articulate their career aspirations.

One particularly rewarding aspect for both educators is witnessing the positive response from students. The enthusiasm, creativity, and communication skills demonstrated by the students indicate that the program is making a meaningful impact. Students not only enjoy the hands-on activities but also express excitement about their future careers, showcasing the success of the College and Career Readiness program at The Children’s Guild School of Baltimore. The dedication of Mr. Rykiel and Ms. Fletcher contributes to a supportive and empowering environment for students as they navigate their journey beyond high school.

Check out The Children’s Guild School of Baltimore’s YouTube Playlist to learn more about their programs and services!

“We are thrilled to receive the renewal of our charter and contract school status by AACPS. This acknowledgment is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff, students, and the broader community who support our mission of providing a high-quality education,” said Kim Jakovics, Principal, Monarch Academy Glen Burnie. “With this renewal, we look forward to continuing our tradition of excellence and innovation in education. The school remains committed to fostering a dynamic learning environment where every student can thrive and reach their full potential.”

“Congratulations to The Monarch Academy Charter Schools who strive for high academic standards and are accountable for student performance outcomes,” explains Pat Crain, Director, Educational Options and School Climate, AACPS.  “Our mission is to provide a choice for parents and the community by providing innovative charter and contract school opportunities for students and we are committed to accountability and autonomy, while supporting these schools to produce positive outcomes for students and families of Anne Arundel County.”

The Monarch Academy Schools are part of The Children’s Guild (TCG), founded in 1953 and celebrating its 70^th anniversary.  TCG is a leading MidAtlantic nonprofit organization focused on helping students and families find success socially, emotionally, educationally, and developmentally through special education and charter schools, school-based mental health services, treatment foster care, autism services, family mental and behavioral health services, and workforce development programs.

Affiliates of The Children’s Guild include The Children’s Guild School of Baltimore, The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School, The Children’s Guild School of Prince George County, Monarch Academy Glen Burnie, Monarch Global Academy Laurel, Monarch Academy Annapolis, Monarch Preschool College Park, The Children’s Guild- Transformation Academy, The Outpatient Mental Health Clinic (OMHC), Treatment Foster Care, and TranZed Apprenticeships.  For more information, visit https://childrensguild.org/.

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At the NAPSEC 2024 Annual Leadership Conference, we had the opportunity to engage with leading professionals in special education. We shared strategies, current trends, and our commitment to employee engagement. We are thrilled to be a part of this community serving students with special needs!

Startling Statistics Revealed

During our presentation, we highlighted some concerning statistics about workplace trends in the United States.   

If you missed our presentation, a few stats we shared are worth repeating here: 

• Low Trust in Leadership: Only 23% of U.S. employees strongly agree that they trust their organization’s leadership. 
• Recognition Deficit: Just 23% of employees strongly feel they receive adequate recognition for their work. 
• High Job Monitoring: Over half (51%) of global workers are seeking or open to new job opportunities. 
• Disconnect with Organizational Culture: Only 22% of employees feel connected to their organization’s culture. 
• Values and Daily Work Misalignment: Merely 25% of U.S. employees can strongly apply their organization’s values to their daily work, and about 33% strongly believe in these values.

For more detailed insights, you can refer to the original Gallup articles: Diagnosing a Broken Culture and Worrying Workplace Numbers  

Are these areas where your organization needs to focus to enhance employee engagement and retention? They were for The Children’s Guild – and this is how we did it.  

The Children’s Guild’s Approach  

To address these challenges, we asked our staff three critical questions during our ‘listening tour’: 

1. What do you want to keep? 
2. What do you want to throw away? 
3. What do you want to renovate? 

 We gathered responses in various formats and compiled a task list to ensure that employees felt heard and leadership remained accountable for implementing changes. 

Tools and Success 

At our NAPSEC session, we shared some tools like the Energy Check tool, Culture Card, and Awards Recognition which you can use to adapt to your needs.  

Since implementing these and other initiatives, we’ve seen increased trust between front-line staff and management, improved recognition of staff, and engagement, including 100% participation in donations from upper management during the annual fund year-end campaign.  

Join us at NatCon 24

We’re excited to share similar insights at NatCon 24, hosted by The National Council for Mental Wellbeing, April 15-17 in St. Louis. We hope to see you there for another round of valuable learning and networking!