Special Education Teacher

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 Teacher 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 day

o This position will be allotted 5 hours of planning time each week for when the students are present

Arrange classroom environment to support needs of assigned students

o Ensure for an organized and structured classroom with access to a variety of activities and preferred items

o Incorporate VIA Tier 1 behavior support guidelines

Consult with the cooperating behavior analyst for specific strategies

Develop individual and group classroom schedules based on the needs of the learners.

Collaborate with BCBA to determine how and when to include students in groups

Plan and prepare for group instruction which may include but is not limited to morning / afternoon meetings, movement, academic groups, art activities

Differentiate instruction for learners to actively participate in instruction at a pace that promotes engagement and competes with challenging behavior

Initiate consultation with BCBA for low motivation, low acquisition, and / or challenging behavior in the classroom

Work with individuals one on one or in small groups to provide specialized instruction driven by IEP goals

In collaboration with school leadership, identify and provide resources to help direct curriculum scope & sequence for students

Communicate 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 BCBA

Classroom Management

Completes the following in collaboration with the Behavior Analyst as appropriate :

Provide behavioral skills training to new instructional staff

Perform proficiency checks for instructional staff

Provide feedback to staff regarding strengths and / or concerns on an ongoing basis

Foster positive staff-staff relationships

Develop and maintain daily staff rotation schedule

Monitor attendance and timeliness of classroom’s instructional staff

Communicate and monitor classrooms jobs / chores

Oversee that student information sheets are completed and / or on a monthly basis

Program 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 students

Attend / ensure troubleshooting of programs takes place when necessary

Lead weekly classroom meetings & create agenda

Organize & schedule new hire training in classroom / provide support with training when necessary

Develop & monitor student transitions to lesser restrictive environments. Collaborate with BCBA when necessary on student transitions

Conduct electronic data collection system audits at 3 and 6 months of IEP commencement.

Ensure all IEP goals have been implemented daily or at prescribed interval

Family Interactions

Communicate with families in a professional and compassionate manner at all times

Document all communications in log accessible by school leadership

Participate in new student admissions orientation

Respond to all parent communication within 24 hours. Assign designee if unable

Notify parent / guardian for any student illness, injury, unusual incident, or use of protective hold on day of incident

Oversees 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 notified

Staff 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 BCBA

Monitors, tracks, approves, or denies Behavior Technician’s leave in Paylocity

Assist RBTs with tracking supervision hours

Collaborate with the BCBA to schedule observations / meetings to ensure RBT supervision and training is met

Collaborate with the Quality Improvement Manager-Staff Development & Training to ensure all new staff are trained in accordance with VIA procedures

Deliver and complete trainings for new staff to complete instructional / skill acquisition routines

Management 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 VIA

Ensures staff adhere to policies and procedures of the organization

Develops staffing and student / client / consumer classroom / service schedules according to established systems to ensure proper implementation of IEP / ISP / Treatment plans

Demonstrates problem-solving (solutions to challenges) and mediates conflict with staff members

Provides supervision and regularly delivers performance feedback and conducts written annual performance evaluations of staff

Provides Staff Training / Caregiver Training using VIA standards and methods

Assists with car & bus duty as scheduled assuring for the safe dismissal and arrival of students

Participate in interviews as needed

Maintains classroom budget as directed by Director of Roanoke VIA 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 manner

Assists with providing and developing ongoing staff development

Implements relevant systems consistently

Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree in Education, Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis or related field required

Valid Virginia Special Education Teaching license (adapted curriculum K-12 or with an endorsement in a specific disability area) required

Valid driver’s license required

One year of experience in the instruction of individuals with autism using the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA) preferred

Position 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.

Job Type : Full-time

Pay : $45,500.00 - $54,590.00 per year

Benefits :

401(k)

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Employee assistance program

Flexible spending account

Health insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Professional development assistance

Retirement plan

Tuition reimbursement

Vision insurance

Schedule :

8 hour shift

Day shift

Holidays

Monday to Friday

No nights

No weekends

Experience :

Teaching : 1 year (Required)

Special education : 1 year (Required)

License / Certification :

Special Education Certification (Required)

Ability to Commute :

Lexington, VA 24450 (Required)

Work Location : In person