PAEC Elementary Principal
Amina K. Payne Principal PAEC #803
Ms. Amina K. Payne is the proud incoming Principal at PAEC Elementary, bringing twenty years of experience to the Chicago land area. She began as a special education teacher in 2003 with Bachelor of Science from Ball State University, Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, Master's in Educational Administration from Saint Xavier University, and Chief School Business Official studies from Concordia University. With ten years of administrative experience in a special education cooperative and recent work as a School Improvement Specialist with Chicago Public Schools, she brings expertise in educational leadership, business operations, and evidence-based school improvement practices to PAEC Elementary.
PAEC Elementary School provides comprehensive educational and mental health services for students with severe emotional disturbances who struggle to conform in traditional school settings without intensive support. Students enrolled in this specialized program receive individualized education through IEPs while participating in multiple therapeutic modalities including individual counseling, group therapy, and family support services, delivered by a multidisciplinary team. The academic program aligns with Common Core Standards but incorporates significant accommodations such as small class sizes, flexible scheduling, and individualized instruction tailored to each student's learning profile and cognitive abilities. A structured behavioral management system tracks student progress through daily point accumulation across multiple evaluations, leading to both immediate and long-term rewards, with elementary students eligible for transition back to their home districts after demonstrating sustained behavioral success (95% weekly points for 12 consecutive weeks) and academic achievement (C grades or higher) without major incidents. Safety and therapeutic effectiveness are maintained through daily security screenings, Crisis Prevention Institute-trained staff, and a purposefully designed physical environment that promotes structure, predictability, and positive relationship-building while teaching students to replace maladaptive behaviors with effective coping strategies.
PAEC Elementary
Contact Info:
Principal: Amina Payne apayne@paec803.org
Secretary: Patricia Carlwell pcarlwell@paec803.org
1636 S 10th Ave, Maywood, IL 60153
Door 2A