If you've seen a job listing for an IEP aide in Baltimore and wondered what the role actually involves, you're not alone. IEP aide positions are among the fastest-growing roles in Maryland school districts, and understanding what the job looks like day-to-day can help you decide if it's the right fit for your career.

At Eaglewings Allied Health Staffing Agency, we place IEP aides at Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPS) and other school districts across Maryland. Here's an honest look at what a typical day involves, what's expected of you, and why this role matters so much for students with disabilities.

What Is an IEP Aide?

An IEP aide — sometimes called an Individualized Education Program aide or paraprofessional — provides direct support to students who have documented disabilities and receive services under a formal IEP. The IEP is a legally binding document that outlines the specific accommodations, modifications, and services a student needs to access their education.

IEP aides work alongside teachers, special education coordinators, and school administrators to ensure these students receive the support outlined in their plans. At BCPS, there are two main classifications:

• Therapeutic Behavioral Aides (TBA): These aides work with students who have significant behavioral needs. TBAs must hold a current CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) Blue Card and earn $24/hour through Eaglewings.
• Non-Therapeutic Aides (TAS): These aides provide general academic and classroom support for students with disabilities. TAS positions pay $21/hour through Eaglewings.

A Typical Day for an IEP Aide at BCPS

Your day starts before the first bell. At Baltimore City Public Schools, bell times vary by school, but most IEP aides are expected to arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of instruction. This early arrival isn't optional — it's essential for checking in with the teacher, reviewing the day's schedule, and being ready at your student's side when they walk through the door.

Morning Routine

When you arrive, you'll clock in through Eaglewings Hub, our GPS-verified timekeeping system. Then you'll check in with your student's classroom teacher or the IEP team lead to learn about any schedule changes, assemblies, testing, or behavioral concerns that might affect the day.

For one-to-one aides, your primary responsibility is your assigned student. You'll escort them from arrival through breakfast, class transitions, specials (art, music, gym), lunch, and dismissal. You're their consistent support throughout the entire school day.

During the School Day

Throughout instruction, you'll sit near your student and provide the specific supports outlined in their IEP. This might include redirecting attention, prompting task completion, assisting with note-taking, managing sensory breaks, or implementing behavior intervention plans. You are the bridge between the student's needs and the classroom environment.

If you're a TBA working with a student who has behavioral challenges, you may also need to implement de-escalation techniques. This is why CPI certification is mandatory — it equips you with the tools to manage crisis situations safely for both you and the student.

End of Day

Your day doesn't end until your student has been safely dismissed. At BCPS, aides are expected to stay until the closing bell and ensure their student reaches the correct bus, car rider line, or after-school program. Leaving early — even by a few minutes — can create serious safety gaps for students who depend on their aide for transitions.

Why Punctuality Is Non-Negotiable

When you're assigned to a student with an IEP, your presence isn't a convenience — it's a compliance requirement. If a student's IEP states that they receive a one-to-one aide during school hours, and that aide doesn't show up on time, the school is technically out of compliance with federal and state special education law.

Tardiness creates a ripple effect. The teacher has to divert attention from the class to cover your student. The student may become anxious without their familiar support. Safety protocols may be compromised. At Eaglewings, consistent tardiness is treated as a serious performance concern because the consequences are real for the students we serve.

Skills That Make You Successful

The most effective IEP aides share a few common traits: patience, consistency, adaptability, and the ability to follow direction from the IEP team without inserting personal preferences. You don't design the student's program — the special education team does — but you play a critical role in implementing it faithfully every day.

If you're considering this career path, know that Eaglewings provides a structured onboarding process that includes training on IEP compliance, behavior management, FERPA confidentiality, and the specific expectations at your placement school.

How to Apply for IEP Aide Positions in Baltimore

Eaglewings Allied Health is currently hiring IEP aides for the 2025–2026 school year at Baltimore City Public Schools and expanding into Baltimore County and Frederick County for SY 2026–2027. All positions are W-2 employment with weekly pay through Gusto, GPS timekeeping through Eaglewings Hub, and access to health, dental, and vision benefits.

If you're exploring IEP aide jobs in Maryland, one of the first things you'll need to understand is the difference between a one-to-one aide and a classroom support aide. While both roles serve students with disabilities in public schools, the scope, expectations, and daily responsibilities differ significantly.

At Eaglewings Allied Health Staffing Agency, we place both types of aides at Baltimore City Public Schools, and clarity about your specific role is one of the most important factors in your success.

What Is a One-to-One Aide?

A one-to-one aide (also called a 1:1 aide or dedicated aide) is assigned to a single student for the entire school day. This assignment comes directly from the student's IEP, which legally mandates that the student receive individualized support during school hours.

When you accept a one-to-one assignment, your job is that student. You arrive before them, stay with them throughout every transition, support them during instruction, accompany them at lunch and specials, and remain with them until dismissal. You don't float to other classrooms, help other students, or assist the teacher with general classroom tasks unless your student's needs are fully met and the IEP team has approved it.

What Is a Classroom Support Aide?

A classroom support aide (sometimes called a classroom-based paraprofessional) works within a specific classroom or program to support multiple students with IEPs. Instead of being dedicated to one student, you assist a group of students under the direction of the classroom teacher or special education teacher.

Classroom support aides often work in self-contained special education classrooms, co-taught classrooms, or inclusion settings where several students receive IEP services. Your responsibilities might include small-group instruction support, helping students with assignments, managing materials, and supporting behavioral expectations for the group.

Why Role Clarity Matters at BCPS

One of the most common challenges new IEP aides face is being pulled in different directions. Teachers may ask a one-to-one aide to help with another student. Other staff may request that you cover a different classroom. It can feel awkward to say no, especially when you want to be helpful.

But here's the reality: if you're assigned as a one-to-one aide and you leave your student to help elsewhere, you've created a compliance gap in that student's IEP services. This isn't just an internal policy — it's a federal requirement under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

At Eaglewings, we train all aides on how to handle these situations professionally. The correct response is to politely redirect the request to the school's IEP coordinator or your Eaglewings supervisor. You can say something like: "I'd love to help, but I'm assigned as a 1:1 aide for my student and need to stay with them. You might check with the IEP team about additional support."

TBA vs TAS: How Pay and Certification Differ

Within both one-to-one and classroom support roles, Eaglewings classifies aides into two categories:

• Therapeutic Behavioral Aides (TBA) — $24/hour: These positions require a current CPI Blue Card and are assigned to students with significant behavioral needs. TBAs must be comfortable implementing behavior intervention plans, de-escalation strategies, and crisis prevention techniques.
• Non-Therapeutic Aides (TAS) — $21/hour: These positions support students who need academic, physical, or organizational assistance but do not typically require behavioral intervention at the therapeutic level.

Both roles are W-2 employment through Eaglewings with access to health, dental, and vision benefits, weekly pay through Gusto, and GPS timekeeping through Eaglewings Hub.

Which Role Is Right for You?

If you thrive in close, consistent relationships and enjoy the focus of supporting one student's growth throughout the year, a one-to-one assignment may be your ideal fit. If you prefer variety and enjoy working with multiple students in a dynamic classroom environment, classroom support may be a better match.

Either way, Eaglewings provides comprehensive onboarding and training to prepare you for your specific assignment. Learn more about our onboarding process or browse current openings to get started.

Before starting a school-based staffing assignment, it's important to understand exactly how your pay, schedule, and time off work. School-based positions are structured differently than typical full-time jobs, and knowing what to expect upfront helps you plan your finances and manage your time effectively.

At Eaglewings Allied Health Staffing Agency, transparency about compensation and scheduling is a priority. Here's a complete overview.

Your Pay Structure

All Eaglewings IEP aides are W-2 employees, which means you receive proper payroll tax withholding, workers' compensation coverage, and employment protections. No 1099 contractor work — that's a commitment we made from day one.

Current pay rates for the 2025–2026 school year:

• Therapeutic Behavioral Aide (TBA): $24/hour — requires CPI Blue Card certification
• Non-Therapeutic Aide (TAS): $21/hour — general IEP aide support

Pay is processed weekly through Gusto. You'll have access to electronic pay stubs, tax documents, and direct deposit setup through your Gusto portal.

How Your Schedule Works

School-based assignments follow the BCPS academic calendar. You work when school is in session and you do not work during school closures, holidays, teacher professional development days, or breaks. Your schedule mirrors the school day — typically 7 to 8 hours, depending on your assigned school's bell times.

Understanding PTO and Sick Leave

Paid time off (PTO) and paid sick leave do not accrue for temporary hourly positions. Under Maryland law, the structure of these assignments — tied to the school calendar with no guaranteed hours during closures — means that traditional PTO and sick leave provisions do not apply in the same way as permanent full-time employment.

This is standard across the school-based staffing industry. When school is closed, your assignment pauses. You are paid only for hours worked.

If you are unable to work due to illness, notify both your school and Eaglewings as early as possible. A doctor's note is required for absences of three or more consecutive days.

Financial Planning Tips for School-Based Workers

Because school-based assignments don't pay during breaks, many of our aides find it helpful to budget proactively. Consider setting aside a portion of each paycheck during active months to cover the unpaid weeks during Thanksgiving, winter break, spring break, and summer.

Planning for unpaid break weeks is one of the most important financial steps for school-based employees. Your weekly pay during active months is reliable and consistent — the key is budgeting for the gaps.

What About Summer?

Regular school-year assignments end with the BCPS academic calendar in June. Some extended school year (ESY) positions may be available during summer months, but these are limited. Eaglewings also places healthcare professionals in long-term care and other settings year-round, so speak with your coordinator about alternative placements.

Ready to start? Visit our How It Works page to learn about the onboarding process.

Knowing when and how you can take breaks during the school day is one of the most practical questions new IEP aides have. The answer depends on your assignment type, your student's needs, and how breaks are coordinated at your specific school.

How Lunch Breaks Work for IEP Aides

If you're assigned as a one-to-one aide, your lunch break is directly tied to your student's schedule. When your student goes to lunch, you go to lunch — but your responsibilities don't fully pause. In many cases, one-to-one aides are expected to remain in proximity to their student during the lunch period, particularly for students who need behavioral or physical support during unstructured time.

If your student's IEP specifies that aide support is required during lunch, you must be present. Coordination with the school's IEP team determines whether another staff member can provide temporary coverage so you can take a duty-free lunch period.

What Maryland Law Says About Breaks

Maryland does not have a state law requiring employers to provide meal or rest breaks for adult employees (ages 18 and over). However, best practices in school-based staffing include providing a reasonable lunch break when scheduling allows. Eaglewings works with school administrators to ensure aides receive a break whenever operationally feasible.

If you feel that you're consistently unable to take any break during the school day, notify your Eaglewings supervisor. We'll work with the school's administration to find a solution.

Short Breaks During the Day

Bathroom breaks and brief rest periods are handled on a common-sense basis. If you're a one-to-one aide, you must ensure your student is supervised by another qualified adult before stepping away, even briefly. Never leave your assigned student unattended.

For more on daily expectations and policies at BCPS, visit our BCPS Employee Policy page.

Professional boundaries aren't just a workplace formality — they're the framework that protects you, your students, and the school community. For IEP aides working in Baltimore City Public Schools and other Maryland school districts, understanding where those boundaries lie is essential.

Boundaries With Students

Your relationship with your assigned student is professional, supportive, and boundaried. You're there to implement their IEP, provide the supports they need, and help them access their education.

• Do not share your personal phone number with students or their families
• Do not connect with students or their families on social media
• Do not give students gifts, food, or personal items without school and supervisor approval
• Do not discuss your personal life, relationships, or problems with students
• Maintain appropriate physical boundaries at all times

Boundaries With School Staff

As an Eaglewings employee placed at a BCPS school, you have a dual reporting structure: you follow the school's day-to-day direction while your employment relationship is with Eaglewings. If a teacher or administrator asks you to do something that conflicts with your assignment, politely ask for clarification and contact your Eaglewings coordinator if needed.

Boundaries With Parents and Families

At BCPS, parent communication about a student's IEP, behavior, or academic progress is handled by the school's IEP team — not by the aide. Your communication with parents should be limited to polite greetings and logistical coordination (pickup, dropoff).

If a parent asks about their child's progress, the correct response is: "That's a great question — the IEP team or your child's teacher would be the best person to answer that."

Protecting Yourself

Maintaining boundaries protects your career and reputation. Document everything relevant to your assignment: keep your daily timesheet and logbook updated, follow the chain of command, and communicate through official channels rather than personal devices.

For more on expectations, visit our BCPS Employee Policy page.

Being an effective IEP aide is about more than showing up on time and following the schedule. The best aides develop specific classroom skills that make them invaluable to teachers, students, and school communities.

Stay Focused on Your Student

Your primary responsibility is always your assigned student. It's easy to get pulled into classroom management tasks or helping other students. While being helpful is admirable, losing focus on your assigned student creates gaps in their IEP services.

Learn the Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)

If your student has a BIP, study it thoroughly. Know the student's specific triggers and antecedent behaviors. Use the exact reinforcement language and strategies outlined in the BIP. Document behavioral incidents accurately and promptly. Never use physical intervention techniques unless you are CPI-certified and the situation meets the threshold for a physical response.

Use a Growth Mindset Approach

Students with disabilities often internalize negative messages about their abilities. As their aide, you have a daily opportunity to reinforce growth-oriented thinking. Simple language shifts make a difference: "You're working really hard on this" instead of "This is easy."

Minimize Learned Helplessness

One of the most important skills an IEP aide can develop is knowing when to step in and when to step back. Over-prompting or doing work for a student creates dependency. Use the "least intrusive prompt" hierarchy: start with a gesture or visual cue, move to a verbal prompt, and only provide physical assistance when absolutely necessary.

Be a Quiet Professional Presence

The most effective aides operate with calm, quiet professionalism. They redirect softly, use pre-arranged signals with the teacher, and maintain a steady, reassuring presence. Avoid using your phone during instruction. Stay engaged and alert.

Collaborate With the Teacher

You and the classroom teacher are a team. Check in about the day's activities, any routine changes, and how you can best support your student within the lesson. When you build a strong working relationship, the entire classroom benefits.

For more on professional expectations, visit our BCPS Employee Policy page.

If there is one rule that every IEP aide should internalize before their first day, it's this: stay with your student.

The Legal Foundation

When a student's IEP specifies one-to-one aide support, that service is a legal requirement under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). If you leave your student without proper coverage, the district is technically out of compliance. IEP compliance is monitored by state education agencies, and repeated failures can result in complaints and corrective action plans.

Safety Is Not Negotiable

Many students who receive one-to-one aides have needs that make unsupervised time genuinely unsafe. Some students may elope, engage in self-injurious behaviors, have medical needs requiring constant monitoring, or exhibit behaviors that put themselves or others at risk. When you step away without arranging qualified coverage, you're creating a gap in that safety net.

How to Handle Requests to Leave Your Student

The most common scenario is a well-meaning teacher or administrator asking you to help with something else. Your answer should be consistent:

"I appreciate you thinking of me, but I'm assigned as a one-to-one aide for my student and need to stay with them. If you need additional support, you might check with the IEP team coordinator or the front office."

What If Your Student Is Absent?

If your assigned student is absent, contact your Eaglewings supervisor immediately. In most cases, you'll either be reassigned for the day or released from the shift. Do not make that determination on your own.

Transitions Require Extra Attention

The highest-risk moments are transitions: arrival, class changes, lunch, recess, bathroom breaks, and dismissal. During transitions, stay close to your student and maintain visual contact at all times.

For more on IEP aide responsibilities, visit our BCPS Employee Policy page or review our onboarding process.

When you're placed in a school through a healthcare staffing agency, you represent two organizations: the agency and the school. How you present yourself directly affects both your professional reputation and the agency's standing with the school district.

Dress Code and Appearance

• Scrubs: Clean, pressed scrubs in approved colors
• Identification: BCPS badge worn and visible at all times
• Closed-toe shoes: Comfortable and professional
• Minimal jewelry: Non-distracting, no safety hazards

Communication Standards

• With students: Calm, supportive, age-appropriate. Never sarcasm or raised voices.
• With teachers: Collaborative and respectful. Support, don't direct instruction.
• With parents: Polite greetings only. Don't discuss IEP, behavior, or academics.
• With administrators: Professional, responsive, transparent.

Phone and Device Usage

Personal phones should be on silent and out of sight during instructional time. The only exception is using your phone to clock in or out through the Eaglewings Hub app.

Attendance and Reliability

Showing up consistently, on time, and prepared is the foundation of professional credibility. Schools build their plans around your confirmed attendance. Eaglewings tracks attendance through the Eaglewings Hub GPS timekeeping, and patterns of tardiness or unexcused absences are addressed through progressive discipline. Consistent, reliable attendance is the fastest path to preferred placements.

For complete policies, visit our BCPS Employee Policy page.

Your work schedule follows the Baltimore City Public Schools academic calendar. Understanding which days you work, which days school is closed, and how closures affect your pay is essential for planning.

Typical BCPS Closures During the School Year

• Labor Day — September (1 day)
• Professional Development Days — several throughout the year
• Thanksgiving Break — late November (3-5 days)
• Winter Break — December through early January (10-12 school days)
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day — January (1 day)
• Presidents' Day — February (1 day)
• Spring Break — March or April (5 school days)
• Memorial Day — May (1 day)

Professional Development Days

On PD days, teachers are in school but students are not. Since IEP aides are student-facing staff, you do not report on PD days unless specifically directed by Eaglewings.

Snow Days and Emergency Closures

When BCPS announces a closure, you do not report. If BCPS announces a delayed opening, adjust your arrival time accordingly — do not arrive at your normal time and wait.

Return-to-Work Expectations

After any break, return on the first day school is back in session — on time and ready. Do not extend your break without formal approval. Unexcused absences on the first day back are taken seriously.

Financial Planning

The total unpaid closure days during a BCPS school year adds up to approximately 6-8 weeks. Budget for these gaps by setting aside a percentage of each paycheck during active months.

As the school year reaches its winter break, we want to recognize the people who make Eaglewings Allied Health Staffing Agency what it is: our IEP aides and school-based professionals.

What You've Accomplished

Every morning, Eaglewings aides arrive at schools across Baltimore City before the first bell. You check in with teachers, prepare for your students, and provide the consistent, reliable support that students with disabilities depend on. Therapeutic Behavioral Aides implemented complex behavior intervention plans with skill and patience. Non-Therapeutic Aides helped students access their education through structured support. School nurses managed health suites and provided critical care.

Growth and Milestones

• Expanded our IEP aide program at BCPS with new placements
• Continued working toward Joint Commission HCSS accreditation
• Enhanced our training program with comprehensive modules
• Invested in GPS-verified timekeeping through Eaglewings Hub
• Provided health, dental, and vision benefits to all eligible employees

Looking Ahead to 2026

For the 2026–2027 school year, Eaglewings is expanding IEP aide services into Baltimore County and Frederick County (FCPS), bringing our proven model of school-based staffing to new districts.

Thank You

To every aide, nurse, and professional on the Eaglewings team: thank you. You show up for students who need you most, in environments that demand patience, professionalism, and heart. Your work matters — to the students, to the schools, and to us.

Enjoy your well-deserved break, and we'll see you in the new year.

Timesheets are the bridge between the hours you work and the paycheck you receive. At BCPS, the timesheet process has specific requirements that you need to follow carefully.

Paper Timesheets Are Required

While Eaglewings also uses Eaglewings Hub GPS timekeeping, a signed paper timesheet is still required each week. It must include your full name, assigned school, daily clock-in/out times, daily totals, and weekly total.

Who Can Sign Your Timesheet

Only authorized school personnel can verify your hours:

• School Principal
• IEP Chairperson
• School Social Worker

Do not have your timesheet signed by a teacher, front office staff, or another aide. An unauthorized signature may delay your payroll processing.

Submission Deadlines

Submit completed, signed timesheets by end of day Friday or early Monday. Late submissions can delay your paycheck by an entire pay cycle. Submit via photo/scan to timesheet@eaglewingsalliedstaffing.com or text to the Eaglewings timesheet line. Always keep a personal copy.

How Timesheets Connect to Payroll

Your payroll is processed through Gusto. You clock in/out through the Eaglewings Hub (GPS-verified), submit your paper timesheet with an authorized signature, and Eaglewings reconciles both records before entering hours into Gusto for weekly direct deposit.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting to get the timesheet signed before the signer leaves
• Having the wrong person sign
• Submitting after the deadline
• Not keeping a personal copy
• Rounding hours or estimating instead of recording actual times

At Eaglewings Allied Health Staffing Agency, we don't just fill positions — we set a standard. Here are the standards of excellence that define our team.

Uniform and Badge Requirements

• Clean scrubs in approved colors, neat and wrinkle-free
• BCPS identification badge worn visibly at all times
• Closed-toe, comfortable shoes
• Minimal accessories — no dangling jewelry or strong fragrances

Active Student Support

We expect every Eaglewings staff member to be visibly, consistently engaged with their student. This means sitting near your student during instruction, actively prompting and redirecting, anticipating transitions, documenting behavioral data, and being a steady, calming presence. Passive presence — sitting in a corner, scrolling your phone — does not meet our standard.

Parent Communication Boundaries

Eaglewings staff communication with parents must be limited to basic greetings and logistical exchanges. Never discuss the student's IEP goals, behavioral incidents, academic performance, or your personal opinions about the student's program.

Professional Conduct

• No personal phone use during student contact time
• No workplace gossip about students, staff, or school issues
• No social media posts about students, schools, or work incidents
• Respectful, professional communication in all interactions
• Follow the chain of command: teacher → school admin → Eaglewings supervisor

Why Standards Matter

Students with disabilities deserve the best support available. When you maintain these standards, you strengthen our reputation, protect your career, and provide the quality of care that every student deserves.

As an IEP aide at BCPS, you have three documentation requirements every single week: your paper timesheet, your BCPS logbook/attendance sheet, and your Eaglewings Hub GPS clock-in/clock-out. Missing any one of these creates problems — for your pay, your standing with the school, and IEP compliance records.

1. Paper Timesheet

Your paper timesheet is the official record of your hours worked. It must be completed daily and signed weekly by an authorized school official (Principal, IEP Chairperson, or School Social Worker). Submit to timesheet@eaglewingsalliedstaffing.com by the weekly deadline.

2. BCPS Logbook / Attendance Sheet

Many BCPS schools maintain their own logbook for contracted staff. Sign in every morning with your name, the time, and your assigned student or classroom. At dismissal, sign out with your departure time. Use your legal name, not a nickname. Record actual times, not estimates.

3. Eaglewings Hub GPS Clock-In/Clock-Out

Eaglewings Hub GPS-verifies your location when you clock in and out. Ensure location services are enabled on your phone. Do not clock in from home or any location other than your assigned school — GPS verification will catch this.

What Happens If You Miss One?

• Missing timesheet: Pay may be delayed
• Missing logbook entry: The school may question your presence
• Missing Eaglewings Hub clock-in: Hours may not be recorded, requiring manual verification

Build it into your daily routine: arrive, sign the logbook, clock in on the Eaglewings Hub, record your time on the paper timesheet. At dismissal, reverse the process. Make it automatic.

If your Eaglewings Hub app isn't working or the logbook is missing, contact Eaglewings at 888-304-3202 immediately. Don't wait until end of week.

It's one of the most commonly searched questions in nursing: can nurses have tattoos? The answer in 2026 is more nuanced than a simple yes or no, and it depends on where you work, what kind of facility you're in, and your employer's specific policies.

The Short Answer: Yes, Most Nurses Can Have Tattoos

The nursing profession has shifted significantly on this topic. Most healthcare facilities in 2026 allow nurses to have tattoos, but many still have specific guidelines about visibility, content, and coverage requirements.

Hospital and Clinical Settings

• Tattoos must not contain offensive, discriminatory, or violent imagery
• Face and neck tattoos may need to be covered
• Some facilities require long sleeves for arm tattoos
• Hand tattoos are sometimes restricted for infection control

The trend is toward greater acceptance. Many hospital systems have relaxed their policies in recent years.

School-Based Nursing and Aide Positions

For school-based positions, the expectations are generally more conservative. Schools are community-facing environments. While visible tattoos aren't automatically disqualifying, content and placement matter. Tattoos with inappropriate content must be covered at all times. When in doubt, cover it for the first few weeks until you understand the school's culture.

Long-Term Care and Rehabilitation Facilities

Long-term care facilities often have more relaxed tattoo policies. The focus is on clinical competence and patient care quality. Offensive imagery is never acceptable in any healthcare setting.

What Eaglewings Recommends

We evaluate candidates based on qualifications, experience, professionalism, and reliability — not tattoos. If you're concerned, talk to your coordinator before your assignment begins so you know the facility's expectations.

The bottom line: don't let tattoo concerns prevent you from pursuing a career in nursing or healthcare staffing. Focus on your certifications, professionalism, and ability to deliver quality care.

Working as a nurse or IEP aide is rewarding, but it's also physically and emotionally demanding. Here are ten practical ways to decompress and recharge after a long shift.

1. Create a Post-Shift Transition Ritual

The commute home is your bridge between work mode and personal time. Listen to music, call a friend, roll the windows down. The goal is to mentally close the work chapter before you walk through your front door.

2. Move Your Body

A 20-minute walk, a stretching routine, or a short yoga session can release the physical tension that accumulates during a shift. Gentle, consistent movement is enough.

3. Eat Something Nourishing

School-based shifts often mean rushed lunches. When you get home, prioritize a balanced meal. Meal prepping on weekends removes the decision fatigue after a long day.

4. Set a Phone Boundary

After your shift, give yourself permission to put your phone down for at least 30 minutes. You've been responding to people all day.

5. Decompress Through Journaling

Write down three things that went well, one thing that was hard, and one thing you're looking forward to tomorrow. This helps your brain close open loops from the workday.

6. Take a Real Break on Your Days Off

Schedule at least one true rest day per week with no commitments. Sometimes the best self-care is doing absolutely nothing.

7. Stay Connected With People Outside Work

Maintaining relationships outside the profession provides balance and perspective. Make time for the people and activities that remind you of who you are beyond your job title.

8. Protect Your Sleep

Aim for 7-8 hours per night with a consistent schedule. Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and screen-free for the last 30 minutes before bed. Quality sleep is the single most impactful self-care practice available.

9. Know When to Ask for Help

If you're consistently feeling overwhelmed, that's a signal to seek support. Eaglewings provides access to employee benefits that include health and wellness resources. Use them.

10. Remember Why You Started

On the hardest days, reconnect with the reason you chose this work. That purpose is your anchor — and it's worth protecting through consistent self-care.

Staffing assignments bring unique challenges. You're adapting to new facilities, new teams, new routines — sometimes every few weeks. Here's a practical guide to maintaining your health and wellbeing while on assignment.

The Unique Stressors of Staffing Work

• Constant adjustment: New facilities, new coworkers, new protocols
• Feeling like an outsider: Permanent staff may treat you differently
• Schedule unpredictability: Shift changes and seasonal gaps
• Limited workplace relationships: Less time for deep professional connections
• Financial variability: Especially for school-based staff with unpaid breaks

Build a Portable Self-Care Routine

Because your work environment changes, your self-care routine needs to be independent of your assignment:

• Morning anchor: A consistent morning routine creates stability even when everything else changes
• Post-shift decompression: A reliable way to transition out of work mode
• Weekly reset: One day per week for rest, reflection, and preparation

Financial Wellness During Assignments

Build a buffer fund equal to one month of expenses during your first three months. Budget using only guaranteed weekly hours, not overtime or bonus shifts. If you're school-based, budget for approximately 6-8 weeks of unpaid closures.

Professional Development as Self-Care

Investing in your professional growth is a form of self-care. Keep certifications current, pursue additional training, and build relationships with supervisors who can advocate for preferred placements.

Know Your Resources

Eaglewings provides all W-2 employees with access to health, dental, and vision benefits including mental health services. If you're experiencing signs of burnout — chronic exhaustion, cynicism, declining performance — these are signals to seek support, not push through.

Staffing work offers incredible flexibility, competitive pay, and the opportunity to make a difference. But it only works sustainably if you prioritize your own health alongside your professional responsibilities.

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4–8, 2026, and National Teacher Appreciation Day falls on Tuesday, May 5th. At Eaglewings Allied Health Staffing Agency, this week we're showing our appreciation the way we believe it should be shown — with real gifts, real recognition, and real gratitude for the school-based professionals who show up every day for students who need them most. This year, every active team member is receiving a Teacher Gift Set that includes a tote bag, glass cup, cosmetic bag, bracelet, bookmarks, and keychain — delivered right to them during appreciation week.

While the national conversation focuses on classroom teachers, we want to shine a light on the people who work alongside them: the IEP aides, paraprofessionals, and school nurses who are essential to how public schools in Baltimore City and across Maryland serve students with disabilities and complex health needs.

The People Behind the IEPs

Every student with an Individualized Education Program has a team behind them. The special education teacher designs the plan. The school psychologist conducts the evaluations. But the person who is with that student from bell to bell — through every transition, every meltdown, every breakthrough — is often their IEP aide.

At Eaglewings, we place both Therapeutic Behavioral Aides (TBAs) and Non-Therapeutic Aides (TAS) at Baltimore City Public Schools. These are W-2 employees who arrive before the first bell, implement behavior intervention plans with patience and consistency, navigate the emotional demands of supporting students with significant needs, and stay until their student is safely dismissed every afternoon.

This work doesn't make headlines. But it changes lives — one student, one day, one school year at a time.

School Nurses Deserve Recognition Too

National School Nurse Day is May 6th — right in the middle of Teacher Appreciation Week. Our school nurses manage health suites, administer medications, monitor students with chronic conditions, and serve as the medical safety net for entire school buildings. They do this with professionalism, clinical skill, and a calm presence that students and staff depend on.

How Eaglewings Is Celebrating This Year

We believe appreciation should be tangible, not just verbal. Here's how we're honoring our team this week:

Why We Invest in Our People

At Eaglewings, we don't just staff positions — we build a team. That means treating school-based professionals with the respect and investment they deserve, not just during appreciation weeks but year-round:

• W-2 employment with full payroll tax compliance and workers' compensation — never 1099
• Health, dental, and vision benefits available to all eligible employees through our benefits program
• Competitive pay: $24/hour for Therapeutic Behavioral Aides, $21/hour for Non-Therapeutic Aides
• Clinical supervision by a Registered Nurse with 25+ years of experience
• Comprehensive training covering IEP compliance, behavior management, CPI certification, FERPA, and professional conduct
• GPS-verified timekeeping through Eaglewings Hub for transparent, accurate payroll
• Weekly pay via direct deposit through Gusto

These aren't perks — they're the baseline of how a staffing agency should treat the people it places in schools.

A Message to Our Team

To every Eaglewings aide and nurse in Baltimore City schools this week: we see the work you do. We see the early mornings, the patience during hard days, the quiet moments of connection with your students that nobody else notices. You are essential. You are valued. And we are proud that you represent Eaglewings in the schools and communities we serve. Thank you — this week and every week.

Looking Ahead: Growing Across Maryland

As we celebrate this school year's team, we're also planning for next year. For SY 2026–2027, Eaglewings is actively working to expand IEP aide and school nursing services into additional school districts across Maryland. Our goal is to bring the same quality of staffing, training, and support that we've built at BCPS to more communities and more students across the state.

If you're a paraprofessional, CNA, or nurse interested in school-based work in Maryland, we want to hear from you. We're also continuing to invest in our technology, training programs, and employee support infrastructure to make Eaglewings the best place to work in school-based healthcare staffing.

How to Join the Eaglewings Team

We're hiring IEP aides, school nurses, CNAs, and LPNs across Maryland for the current school year and beyond. Every position is W-2 employment with benefits, weekly pay, and clinical support from day one. Visit our How It Works page to learn about our onboarding process, or apply directly for open positions.

Eaglewings Allied Health Staffing Agency is proud to announce that we are now an approved vendor for Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) in Maryland. Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, Eaglewings is providing Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Registered Nurses (RNs) to support students across the Frederick County school district.

This expansion marks a significant milestone for Eaglewings — FCPS is our second Maryland school district partnership, building on the foundation we established with Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPS).

Why Frederick County?

Frederick County Public Schools is one of the largest and fastest-growing school districts in Maryland, serving more than 46,000 students across nearly 70 schools. Like school districts across the state and the country, FCPS faces growing demand for qualified healthcare and behavioral health professionals to support students with complex needs.

Eaglewings brings a proven model of school-based staffing to Frederick County — one built on W-2 employment, clinical supervision, credentialing rigor, and a commitment to compliance that school administrators can rely on.

Services We're Providing at FCPS

Our partnership with Frederick County Public Schools focuses on three critical roles:

Registered Behavior Technicians (RBT)

RBTs work directly with students who have behavioral health needs, implementing behavior intervention plans under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). These professionals are essential for students whose IEPs or treatment plans include Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services. Every Eaglewings RBT holds an active RBT credential and maintains the supervision and continuing education requirements set by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)

LPNs provide essential health services for students with medical needs — medication administration, health monitoring, and daily care for students with chronic conditions. In a school setting, LPNs ensure that students can safely attend school and participate in their education despite health challenges that might otherwise keep them home.

Registered Nurses (RN)

RNs provide the highest level of school-based nursing care, including health assessments, complex medical procedures, care plan development, and oversight of LPN staff. For students with the most significant medical needs — including those requiring private duty nursing — an RN's clinical expertise is essential.

What Makes Eaglewings Different

School districts have options when it comes to staffing agencies. Here's why FCPS chose Eaglewings:

• Joint Commission Accredited: We hold the Gold Seal of Approval for Healthcare Staffing Services (Certification #688992) — the highest quality standard in the industry.
• W-2 Employment: Every Eaglewings professional is a W-2 employee with full payroll tax compliance, workers' compensation, and employment protections. We never use 1099 subcontractors.
• Clinical Supervision: All nurses and clinical staff receive oversight from our Clinical Supervisor, ensuring quality care and professional accountability.
• Credentialing Rigor: Background checks, license verification, reference checks, and ongoing credential monitoring for every professional we place.
• MBE/DBE/SBE Certified: Certified Minority, Disadvantaged, and Small Business Enterprise in Maryland.

Now Hiring for FCPS Positions

We're actively recruiting RBTs, LPNs, and RNs for placements at Frederick County Public Schools. All positions are W-2 employment with access to health, dental, and vision benefits, weekly pay via direct deposit, and clinical support from day one.

If you're a licensed healthcare or behavioral health professional in the Frederick County area — or willing to commute — we'd love to talk. Current openings are posted on our careers page.

Growing Across Maryland

The expansion into Frederick County is part of Eaglewings' broader strategy to bring our model of quality school-based staffing to more districts across Maryland. Our success at Baltimore City Public Schools — where we provide IEP aides, school nurses, and paraprofessionals — demonstrated that school districts need staffing partners who prioritize compliance, credentialing, and genuine support for the professionals they place.

We're carrying that same standard into Frederick County and beyond. As Maryland school districts continue to face staffing shortages for specialized roles like RBTs and school nurses, Eaglewings is positioned to be the partner they trust.

For more information about our school-based services, or to discuss a staffing partnership with your district, contact us at 888-304-3202 or info@eaglewingsalliedstaffing.com.

If you work as an IEP aide in Maryland — or you're thinking about becoming one — you've probably heard about CPI certification and the CPI Blue Card. Many aides assume that having a Blue Card automatically makes them a Therapeutic Behavioral Aide (TBA) and qualifies them for the higher pay rate. That's one of the most common misconceptions in school-based staffing, and it's important to understand how it actually works.

At Eaglewings Allied Health Staffing Agency, we want every aide to have a clear understanding of CPI certification, how TBA and TAS designations are assigned, and what determines your pay rate at any given point during the school year.

What Is CPI Certification?

CPI stands for Crisis Prevention Institute. CPI training teaches evidence-based techniques for preventing and safely managing behavioral crises — particularly in settings like schools, healthcare facilities, and behavioral health programs where professionals work with individuals who may exhibit aggressive, disruptive, or self-injurious behaviors.

When you complete CPI training, you receive a Blue Card — your proof of certification. The Blue Card is valid for one year and must be renewed through refresher training before it expires.

CPI training covers de-escalation strategies, verbal intervention techniques, decision-making frameworks for crisis situations, and — as a last resort — safe physical intervention methods. The emphasis throughout the training is on prevention first, with physical intervention used only when all other options have been exhausted and specific safety criteria are met.

The Blue Card Does Not Make You a TBA

This is the critical point that many aides misunderstand. Holding a current CPI Blue Card means you are qualified to serve as a TBA — but it does not mean you are a TBA. The designation depends entirely on your student assignment, not on your certification.

Here's how it works at Eaglewings:

The TBA or TAS designation is attached to the student, not the aide. If you are assigned to a student whose IEP or Behavior Intervention Plan requires a CPI-certified aide (a student with significant behavioral needs who may require crisis intervention), you are designated as a TBA for that assignment and receive the TBA rate. If you are assigned to a student who does not require CPI intervention — even if you hold a Blue Card — you are designated as a TAS and receive the TAS rate.

Put simply: your pay rate follows the student's needs, not your credentials.

Your Rate Can Change During the School Year

Because the TBA/TAS designation is tied to your student assignment, your rate can change at any point during the school year. Common scenarios:

• Your student leaves the school or district and you're reassigned to a student who doesn't require CPI intervention — designation changes from TBA to TAS
• Your student's IEP is updated and the team determines CPI is no longer needed
• You're moved to a different student due to school-level staffing decisions
• A TAS student's needs increase and the IEP team updates the plan to require CPI

The rate follows the student. It's not a demotion and it's not punitive — it's how the system is designed to work.

CPI Does Not Transfer Between Agencies

Your CPI certification from a previous employer does not transfer. Even if you hold a valid Blue Card from another agency, North Avenue (BCPS central office) requires Eaglewings Allied Health Staffing Agency to retrain every aide through our own CPI program before placement. This means you will complete CPI training through Eaglewings regardless of your prior certification status — and Eaglewings covers the cost.

Think of it this way: your experience with CPI is valuable, but the certification itself must come through Eaglewings. The TBA designation is separate from the credential entirely — it's determined by the student you're assigned to, not by your training history.

Why Does It Work This Way?

This structure exists because the purpose of the TBA designation — and the higher rate that comes with it — is to compensate aides for the additional skill, risk, and responsibility of working with students who have significant behavioral needs requiring crisis intervention capability. The rate reflects the demands of the assignment, not just the aide's qualifications.

This is consistent with how school districts across Maryland structure their IEP aide programs. The student's IEP drives the services, and the services drive the staffing classification.

Should You Still Get CPI Certified?

Absolutely. Even though a Blue Card doesn't guarantee TBA placement, having CPI certification makes you eligible for TBA assignments — which are in high demand and come with the higher pay rate. Without the Blue Card, you can only be placed as a TAS regardless of student need.

CPI certification also makes you a stronger candidate overall. It demonstrates that you've invested in professional development, you're prepared for challenging situations, and you have a skill set that schools actively need.

What to Expect When You Join Eaglewings

When you're hired at Eaglewings Allied Health, here's the process:

• During onboarding, we verify your CPI Blue Card status (if applicable)
• Eaglewings submits your name to North Avenue (BCPS central office), which approves you and assigns you to a school based on available students and school need
• Your TBA or TAS designation — and your pay rate — is determined by that specific student's IEP requirements
• If your assignment changes during the school year, your designation and rate may change accordingly
• All changes are communicated to you by your Eaglewings coordinator

There are no surprises if you understand the system upfront. The rate follows the student. Your Blue Card keeps you eligible. And your Eaglewings coordinator is always available to answer questions about your specific assignment.

Ready to apply? Learn more about the BCPS IEP Aide hiring process or read our complete BCPS Employee Policy.

If you've applied to become an IEP aide at Baltimore City Public Schools through Eaglewings Allied Health Staffing Agency, you're probably wondering: what happens next? How long does this take? What do I need to do before I can start?

These are the most common questions we hear from applicants, and we want to give you a clear, honest walkthrough of every step. The full hiring process typically takes four to six weeks from application to your first day in the classroom — sometimes shorter, sometimes longer, depending on how quickly each step is completed.

Eaglewings Allied Health Staffing Agency places qualified paraprofessionals in public school settings across Maryland through our education division, Eaglewings Educational Service LLC. Here's exactly what the journey looks like.

Step 1: Application

Everything starts with your application. Submit it through our careers page and our HR team will review your qualifications, work history, and supporting documents to determine whether you meet the minimum requirements for the position. If additional information is needed, we'll contact you before moving forward.

Step 2: Policy Acknowledgement

Before investing more time in the hiring process, we want to make sure you understand how Eaglewings Allied Health Staffing Agency operates. You'll review important information including company policies, attendance expectations, professional standards, pay rates, payroll schedule, and employee responsibilities.

A few things worth knowing upfront: this is a temporary staffing role — your assignment runs for the BCPS school year, not indefinitely. All positions are at-will, non-exempt, and hourly. Required trainings — including the 40-hour mandatory training and CPI training — are unpaid, though Eaglewings covers your CPI certification cost.

This step ensures both sides have clear expectations before moving forward.

Step 3: MSDE Form

If you've previously worked in a Maryland school system, you'll complete a Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) form. This allows us to verify your previous school employment and satisfies state hiring requirements. If you've never worked in a Maryland school, this step may not apply to you — our HR team will let you know after reviewing your work history.

Step 4: Annual Physical / Medical Clearance

Because you'll be supporting students throughout the school day, a medical clearance is required. Your physical confirms you're medically able to perform the essential duties of the position. You'll receive instructions and paperwork before your appointment.

One important note: please do not attend your appointment without your Eaglewings forms. Arriving without the proper paperwork means you may need to reschedule, which delays your start date.

Step 5: Interview

This is our opportunity to learn more about you — your experience, education, availability, and interest in working with students. We'll also discuss which position best matches your qualifications.

Eaglewings Allied Health Staffing Agency places aides in three designations:

• Therapeutic Behavior Aide (TBA): Supports students with intensive behavioral needs. Requires CPI certification. Pays $24/hour.
• Non-Therapeutic Aide (TAS): Supports academic, transition, and mobility needs. Pays $21/hour.
• Classroom Support Aide: Supports the full classroom alongside the teacher.

Your interview and BCPS assignment will determine which designation fits you best. Remember — the designation is based on the student's needs, not just your qualifications. Read our CPI certification blog post for more on how TBA vs TAS assignments work.

Step 6: Fingerprinting

Everyone working with students must complete fingerprinting and background screening. This is a Baltimore City Public Schools requirement and is non-negotiable. Processing times vary, so completing this step promptly helps avoid delays in your overall timeline.

Step 7: 40-Hour Mandatory Training

Before entering the classroom, you'll complete Eaglewings' mandatory 40-hour training program. This training prepares you for success by covering student safety, professional conduct, confidentiality, special education support, classroom expectations, documentation, and school procedures.

This is where you learn what it takes to confidently support students from day one. It's comprehensive because the work is important — and we want you to walk into your school prepared.

Step 8: CPI Training

You'll also complete Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) training — a nationally recognized certification that teaches you how to prevent behavior escalation, de-escalate crisis situations, safely respond when students become physically aggressive, and use approved intervention techniques only when necessary.

For Therapeutic Behavior Aides, CPI certification is required before assignment. Eaglewings covers the cost of your CPI certification — you don't pay out of pocket.

Step 9: BCPS Badge

Your BCPS badge is the final step. The badge confirms Baltimore City Public Schools has approved your clearance to enter school buildings for the upcoming school year. Once you've shared a copy of your badge with Eaglewings, we'll submit your name to North Avenue for placement.

Your First Assignment

Once every hiring requirement has been completed, Eaglewings Allied Health Staffing Agency submits your name to North Avenue (BCPS central office). North Avenue approves you and assigns you to a school based on available students and school need. Eaglewings cannot guarantee your school, location, or bell time — assignments are determined by BCPS, not by Eaglewings.

Before your first day, we'll provide your assigned school, student assignment, bell schedule, reporting instructions, supervisor information, and first-day expectations.

Your aide designation (TBA or TAS) is also determined by North Avenue based on the student's IEP — not by Eaglewings. If you are assigned to a student whose IEP requires a CPI-certified aide, you'll be designated as a TBA at $24/hour. If the student's IEP does not require CPI intervention, you'll be designated as a TAS at $21/hour — even if you hold a CPI Blue Card.

Why the Process Takes 4–6 Weeks

We know the hiring process can feel long, but every step exists for a reason. Background checks take time. Medical clearances protect students. Training ensures you're prepared. And the BCPS badge confirms that the district has cleared you to work in their schools.

The single best thing you can do to speed up the process is respond promptly to each step. When our HR team sends you paperwork, instructions, or scheduling information, completing it quickly keeps your timeline moving forward.

If you have questions at any point, our HR team is here to help. Call 888-304-3202 or email info@eaglewingsalliedstaffing.com.