Developing the whole child in order to maximize their ability to learn, to be successful, and to have positive impact on the world around them.
Purpose: The purpose of the NorthStar program is to add value to the region that we serve by providing outstanding educational and therapeutic services and supports to the students, families, school system representatives and community service providers that we interact with on a daily basis. Our ultimate value is determined by the value we bring to those we serve.
Value: As a governmental entity, it is our first responsibility to be good stewards of the resources that are provided to us from the tax payers. We will work with all of our operational partners to advocate for the resources that are needed to carry out our responsibilities but will always look for ways to provide services and supports in a fiscally responsible manner. Each staff member is expected to maintain high ethical standards in the utilization of program resources.
Organizational Structure: In order to ensure a fiscally responsible approach, the organizational structure must be as flat as possible, with most resources being devoted to positions that provide direct service to our consumers on a daily basis. This organizational structure means that every staff member has leadership responsibilities in relation to their role within the organization and within their circle of influence. Our effectiveness as an organization is dependent on each team member’s leadership abilities and effectiveness in carrying out their job duties.
Organizational Influence: Our organization recognizes that leadership effectiveness is grounded in our ability to influence others in positive ways. At NorthStar each employee is expected to engage in behaviors that demonstrate admirable character, exemplary skills and knowledge, and respectful and intuitive teamwork and collaboration with others. It is through these behaviors that we gain the trust of our consumers which increases our ability to provide positive influence in our daily interactions with others.
Importance of Relational Connectedness: We recognize that in any organization working with other humans, that our connections to others are vital. Each employee is expected to promote healthy relationships through open, sincere, and respectful communication. This communication must have as a pre-requisite a focus on others. This means that we always consider our consumers first, taking action to understand their barriers and concerns, as well as their hopes and dreams. This understanding of all perspectives provides the foundation for sensitive, empathic, and respectful communication and collaborative problem solving.
Professional Development: At NorthStar, we recognize that to attract the best, we must be the best. This means that each staff member has the responsibility to be a self-reflective practitioner, always evaluating their own strengths and weaknesses and developing plans for improving their own performance. We also recognize that to develop as professionals and leaders requires sacrifice. Each staff member must commit to a process of continual personal and professional development.
Organizational Development: At NorthStar, we also recognize that our success is a result of our cumulative effectiveness. To develop to our maximum potential, we must continually have a commitment to empowering and developing those around us. We develop others first by our example, always seeking to demonstrate the highest level of character, integrity, and skill in relation to our roles within the organization. We also develop others by sharing our own expertise, through modeling, collaborative learning, training, and coaching activities. Finally, we develop others through our ability to model the habits of being a reflective and self-motivated continual learner.
Commitment to Success: At NorthStar, our employees above all else must have a commitment to success. Each staff must recognize that there will always be barriers and challenges that must be overcome in order for success to be achieved. Each staff must demonstrate an unquenchable passion for ensuring that we alongside all of our consumers will succeed. Each staff recognizes that conditions will never be optimal, the challenges will always be daunting, and still we will commit to finding ways to help our organization and consumers succeed.
At NorthStar we recognize that there are many diverse philosophies and approaches for educating and caring for students with disabilities that result in severe behavior. A pre-requisite for employment with NorthStar has to be the alignment of the employee’s personal beliefs and values with the core program beliefs and values. Organizational expectations flow from these beliefs and values, so it is important that each staff member reflect on them, to ensure that they do not have philosophical conflicts that would interfere with their ability to act in accordance with the program beliefs and values.
Therapeutic Beliefs / Values
Critical Elements of the NorthStar Therapeutic Approach
NorthStar services are part of the continuum of services in each of the local school districts we serve. Service decisions for special education students are always made within the framework and protections of the Individual Education Plan (IEP) process. If you think a student might benefit from services offered by the NorthStar program, please contact the special education director or coordinator for your school system to help you guide you in determining if NorthStar might be a service that could be considered for a particular student.
Please contact any of our individual sites if you have other questions about the NorthStar program or services.
We are always looking for talented individuals whose beliefs and values are in alignment with the NorthStar beliefs and values. If you think you might be a good fit for our program, please fill out an application and submit this document to the location or site where you wish to be considered for employment. All available positions are routinely listed on the Teach Georgia website.
https://www.teachgeorgia.org/home.aspx
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