Special Education Teacher

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 day

· 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

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

· 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 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 Staff Development & Training Coordinator 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 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

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.

Direct Reports

This position has direct reports.

Qualifications

• 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