Special Education Teacher - Villa Education Center

Overview

Under the direction and supervision of the Education Coordinators, 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 feedbac

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

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