Job Description
Job Description
Description : Job Purpose
The Special Education Teacher works collaboratively with the Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and other members of the IEP team in achieving the best possible outcomes for the students served and in creating a culture of excellence within VIA Day Schools. The Special Education Teachers contributes to student programming by working in partnership with the IEP Team for IEP development and implementation, program monitoring, parent and classroom communication, and summarizing student progress for reporting purposes.
Duties and Responsibilities
IEP Development and Implementation
Completes the following in collaboration with the Behavior Analyst & other members of IEP team :
- Ensures the quality of all IEP documents with goals / accommodations that reflect the unique needs of each student; include parent input; and meet all regulatory requirements for both content and time frames
- Identify educational assessments and lead / conduct administration for annual IEPs and Eligibility Meetings
- Ensure assessment was completed within 30 days of admission and prior to each Pre-IEP meeting
- In collaboration with school leadership, ensure for the administration of statewide assessments (SOL or VAAP)
- Lead Pre-IEP & IEP meetings
- Completes IEP Checklists annually for each student
- Complete accurate and complete progress reports at required intervals
- Provide staff training, implementation, and oversight of policy and procedures as they pertain to the IEP process
Curriculum & Daily Instruction
Leads instruction for the duration of the school dayThis position will be allotted 5 hours of planning time each week for when the students are presentArrange classroom environment to support needs of assigned studentsEnsure for an organized and structured classroom with access to a variety of activities and preferred itemsIncorporate VIA Tier 1 behavior support guidelinesConsult with the cooperating behavior analyst for specific strategiesDevelop individual and group classroom schedules based on the needs of the learners.Collaborate with BCBA to determine how and when to include students in groupsPlan and prepare for group instruction which may include but is not limited to morning / afternoon meetings, movement, academic groups, art activitiesDifferentiate instruction for learners to actively participate in instruction at a pace that promotes engagement and competes with challenging behaviorInitiate consultation with BCBA for low motivation, low acquisition, and / or challenging behavior in the classroomWork with individuals one on one or in small groups to provide specialized instruction driven by IEP goalsIn collaboration with school leadership, identify and provide resources to help direct curriculum scope & sequence for studentsCommunicate and coordinate with related service providers to schedule service delivery times for individuals within the classroom schedule as well as consultation times with the service providers, teacher, and BCBAClassroom Management
Completes the following in collaboration with the Behavior Analyst as appropriate :
Provide behavioral skills training to new instructional staffPerform proficiency checks for instructional staffProvide feedback to staff regarding strengths and / or concerns on an ongoing basisFoster positive staff-staff relationshipsDevelop and maintain daily staff rotation scheduleMonitor attendance and timeliness of classroom’s instructional staffCommunicate and monitor classrooms jobs / choresOversee that student information sheets are completed on a monthly basisProgram Monitoring
Completes the following in collaboration with the Behavior Analyst as appropriate :
Schedule and ensure consistent and accurate implementation of Monthly Data Review (MDR) process for all studentsAttend / ensure troubleshooting of programs takes place when necessaryLead weekly classroom meetings & create agendaOrganize & schedule new hire training in classroom / provide support with training when necessaryDevelop & monitor student transitions to lesser restrictive environments. Collaborate with BCBA when necessary on student transitionsConduct electronic data collection system audits at 3 and 6 months of IEP commencement.Ensure all IEP goals have been implemented daily or at prescribed intervalFamily Interactions
Communicate with families in a professional and compassionate manner at all timesDocument all communications in log accessible by school leadershipParticipate in new student admissions orientationRespond to all parent communication within 24 hours. Assign designee if unableNotify parent / guardian for any student illness, injury, unusual incident, or use of protective hold on day of incidentOversees professional home / school contact by daily review of communication logs (i.e., home to school note or SOAP notes)Schedule & lead parent meetings. Ensures all members of the team are notifiedStaff Supervision
Completes the following in collaboration with the Behavior Analyst as appropriate :
Monitor attendance & timeliness of staff & deliver appropriate feedback as needed (including Performance Improvement Plans)Assists with completing annual performance evaluations in collaboration with BCBAMonitors, tracks, approves, or denies Behavior Technician’s leave in PaylocityAssist RBTs with tracking supervision hoursCollaborate with the BCBA to schedule observations / meetings to ensure RBT supervision and training is metCollaborate with the Staff Development & Training Coordinator to ensure all new staff are trained in accordance with VIA proceduresDeliver and complete trainings for new staff to complete instructional / skill acquisition routinesManagement Duties
Completes the following in collaboration with the Behavior Analyst as appropriate :
Takes a leadership role at all times (e.g., in classroom, clinic, home session, community outing, staff meetings, program events) and serves as an ambassador for VIAEnsures staff adhere to policies and procedures of the organizationDevelops staffing and student / client / consumer classroom / service schedules according to established systems to ensure proper implementation of IEP / ISP / Treatment plansDemonstrates problem-solving (solutions to challenges) and mediates conflict with staff membersProvides supervision and regularly delivers performance feedback and conducts written annual performance evaluations of staffProvides Staff Training / Caregiver Training using VIA standards and methodsAssists with car & bus duty as scheduled assuring for the safe dismissal and arrival of studentsParticipate in interviews as neededMaintains classroom budget as directed by Director of Day School.Maintains a well-organized work environment (including classrooms, treatment rooms, day support space, VIA common spaces) and ensures the professional presentation of electronic data collection system logs, client graphs, billing notes, supplies, and materials, in a VIA approved mannerAssists with providing and developing ongoing staff developmentImplements relevant systems consistentlyRequirements : Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Education, Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis, or related field requiredValid Virginia Special Education Teaching license (adapted curriculum K-12 or with an endorsement in a specific disability area) requiredValid driver’s license requiredOne year of experience in the instruction of individuals with autism using the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA) preferredPosition Type
This is a full-time position. The position involves working with students who exhibit challenging and / or aggressive behavior and participation in community outings.