Special Education Teacher (Sarah Dooley Center for Autism)

Overview

Under the direction and supervision of the Program Director, this position is responsible for the on-going assessment of students’ academic needs, designing appropriate lesson plans, overseeing the implementation of the lesson plans, supporting classroom staff in determining effective means to manage student behaviors, and providing immediate supervision to assigned Instructional Assistants and Counselors.

All work is implemented using a systems approach that utilizes the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis and other evidence-based teaching methods.

All work is performed safely, effectively, to the highest ethical standards, and in accordance with regulatory and accrediting standards and St. Joseph’s Villa’s mission, values, and guiding principles.

Responsibilities

Health & Safety—

• Maintains sight and sound supervision of students

• Uses approved behavior management techniques to work with students in crisis

• Assists students with personal care and personal hygiene as needed, including providing assistance with feeding, toileting, washing, diapering or other basic physical need.  May feed students via feeding tube

• May administer medications if appropriately trained

• Follows established protocol to identify and report instances of suspected child (or adult) abuse and/or neglect

• Reports any unsafe conditions or maintenance matters to the Program Director

Education & Assessment—

• Creates students’ schedules

• Administers and interprets standardized assessment and diagnostic instruments

• Designs appropriate and complete lesson plans, including objectives, modalities, and tools to assess learning, to support individual student development and to comply with mandated requirements such as Individualized Education Plans (IEP) and Aligned Standards of Learning (ASOL)

• Assists in planning, coordinating, and implementing therapeutic recreational activities in conjunction with other staff

• Completes the VAAP for applicable students

• Ensures appropriate and sufficient learning materials and resources are available for all students

• Evaluates students’ mastery of the material and modifies delivery modalities as needed

• Collects academic and behavior data when working with students

• Attends treatment team meetings and Assists with treatment decisions concerning students and with follow-through on those decisions

• Prepares regular reports on student’s progress including report cards, interim report cards, and IEP progress reports

• Maintains case records and ensures compliance with licensing and accreditation regulations

• Leads and coordinates IEP meetings

• Confers regularly with guardian or parent(s) to apprise them of student’s progress and performance

• Serves as a resource to parents to understand and implement behavioral change techniques and to support their child’s education

• Teaches family members or guardians the techniques employed by St. Joseph’s Villa to help the student reach his/her potential

• Contacts guardian or parent(s) when serious incident (SIR) occurs. Completes body checks as needed

• Identifies inappropriately placed children and recommends, with supporting reasoning, alternative educational setting. Assists in the process of discharge planning

Staff Supervision—

• Creates staff schedules

• Assists Behavior Analysts in training new staff

• Oversees quality of instruction and support provided to the student by the Assistant Teacher or program instructors through formal observation and written feedback

• Advises Program Director of any performance issues in the classroom, whether student or staff-based

Other—

• Models appropriate professional behavior and dress

• Participates in staff meetings and other staff and program group activities, including evening programs, essential for the operation of an effective psycho-educational program

• Assumes active role in designing and implementing in-service training programs on innovations in the field

• Promotes good community relations and utilizes needed community services

• Represents St. Joseph’s Villa at governmental hearings including courts, Family Assessment Planning Team (FAPT) meetings, and with the public school systems

• May voluntarily support student athletics, arts, and/or other extracurricular activities

• Evaluates work processes and methods and submits recommendations for continuous quality improvement

• Attends scheduled training programs for professional development that includes, at a minimum, trainings required by St. Joseph’s Villa and by regulatory and accrediting bodies

• Performs other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Qualifications

• BS/BA degree in education
• Current and valid Virginia teaching license with endorsement in at least one of the specific areas of disability served by the academy
• MS degree in Special Education K-12 and Virginia Teaching certification preferred
• One (1) or more years classroom experience with students with special education (or alternative education) needs
• Proficiency with Windows, Outlook, Internet research, assistive technology and MS Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
• Valid VA driver’s license with excellent driving record