2025-26 Autism Center ESE Middle/Elementary ELA and SS

The Villages Charter School Autism Center is dedicated to meeting the educational needs of students on the autism spectrum. The center supports students’ academic, social, and emotional development through a combination of individualized instruction, specialized programs, and targeted therapies provided by our highly trained staff. Through incorporating principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), students will receive the support they need in a nurturing educational environment focused on individualized learning and growth.

The Villages Charter School Autism Center, LLC (TVCS AC) is a subsidiary of The Villages Charter School, Inc. which operates by a charter agreement approved by the Sumter County Board of Education and the Florida State Department of Education. Both The Villages Charter School (“VCS”) and The Villages Charter School Autism Center, LLC (TVCS AC) are Charter in the Workplace schools (see also School of Choice). Unlike traditional county schools, our enrollment criteria are based upon the place of employment of one of the parents/guardians rather than the geographic address of their home. It was founded and is provided funding by The Villages of Lake-Sumter, Inc. as a business partnership charter school primarily for the benefit of the children of employees of The Villages of Lake-Sumter, Inc. and those Business Partners who have in the past and continue to participate in the development of The Villages.

The Autism Center is located on the Buffalo Ridge campus serving K-6 students, offering a comprehensive support system tailored to each child’s unique needs through a collaborative approach involving special educators, therapists, behavioral specialists, and families.

Anticipated start date for this position is July 23, 2025.

DESCRIPTION:

We are seeking an Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Middle School and Elementary ELA and Social Studies Teacher to provide instructions in our functional and academic classrooms for grades 4th, 5th, and 6th. In order for the application to be complete, you must also include copies of all transcripts, a copy of the Florida Professional Certificate or “Statement of Eligibility” from the Florida Department of Education, copy of resume and letters of recommendation.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the Principal, the ESE Middle School and Elementary ELA and Social Studies Teacher will assist with design and implement The Villages Charter School Autism Center’s adopted curriculum and students’ IEP goals within the TVCS AC structured classroom model and be able to model these activities for other staff in the classroom to ensure fidelity and compliance.

The expectations include the following and other duties as assigned:

• Promote intellectual, emotional, physical, and psychological growth of our learners
• Uphold and model TVCS Autism Center Core Values
• Serve as teacher and point person in a classroom of 5-9 students
• Meet with and instruct assigned classes in the locations at the times designated.
• Provide a safe, nurturing environment that stimulates academic, moral and social growth.
• Work with a classroom team that includes a Behavior Specialist with the support and oversight of one - two paraprofessionals.
• Assist students in learning to accept responsibility, demonstrate respect for people and property, and demonstrate self-discipline.
• Implement a variety of instructional techniques to meet varying learning styles of students.
• Plan and effectively implement instructional activities designed to achieve goals and objectives of the curriculum.
• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities.
• Evaluate student progress on a regular basis to include academic and social growth of the students.
• Maintain accurate, complete and correct records and inventories as required by law, district policy and administrative regulations.
• Assist in enforcement of school rules, administrative regulations and Board policy.
• Ensure classroom support staff are implementing instructional strategies and lessons as set forth by the principal
• Weekly lesson planning for instruction of state standards with other classroom teachers and support staff
• Provide daily feedback to support staff
• Collect and report data with high fidelity and analyze data bi-weekly to make instructional decisions
• Communicate clearly and effectively in both written and oral form with students, parents and others following TVCS AC guidelines
• Modification of materials to meet student needs and IEP requirements
• Maintain substitute plans in case of absence
• Participate in all duties and responsibilities as appropriate for a TVCS AC faculty member
• Contribute to IEPs as appropriate
• Other duties as assigned by the administration

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Bachelor’s Degree (B.A.) or higher from an accredited educational institute.
• Must hold or be eligible for certification by the State of Florida in Exceptional Student Education (ESE)
• At least 3 years of experience of classroom teaching
• Ability to train, coach and motivate support staff.
• Mastery and enthusiasm for best practices in autism education
• Track record of success in behavior management with students with autism or other special needs
• Ability to approach situations with optimism and perseverance
• Ability to communicate with parents, co-workers and professional contacts in a courteous and professional manner and following TVCS AC guidelines
• Ability to work independently and coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously
• Ability to exercise reasonable judgment and maintain confidentiality
• Experience in structured teaching, center-based model preferred
• Such additional or alternative qualifications to the above as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable

PREFERRED:

• At least 3 years of experience working with students with moderate to severe disabilities
• Experience and training in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
• Florida Department of Education Autism Endorsement
• Florida Department of Education Reading Endorsement

BENEFITS:

• School located in a new state-of-the-art Autism Center
• Competitive pay based on experience
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance
• PDO (Paid Day Off) time provided
• 401K
• Great professional development and advancement opportunities.

SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS:

• Set-up lessons and instructional activities for classroom teaching staff. Coaches, monitors, and mentor’s classroom teaching staff working with students with disabilities.

ADA AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Positions in this class require: stooping, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to manipulate objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms, and talk and hear. The employee may be required to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds with assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Noise level in the work environment is moderate.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

205 days – Exempt. Length of the work year and hours of employment are those established by the Board.

EVALUATION:

Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of TVCS AC policy on evaluations of personnel.