Special Education Teacher

VIA Centers for Neurodevelopment•Lexington, VA

About The Position

The Special Education Teacher works collaboratively with the Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and other members of the IEP team to achieve positive student outcomes and foster a culture of excellence at VIA Day Schools. The role contributes to student programming through IEP development and implementation, program monitoring, communication with families and classroom staff, and reporting on student progress. The position has direct reports and includes leading instruction throughout the school day, staff supervision and training, classroom and program management, and participation in community outings.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis, or a related field.
Valid Virginia Special Education Teaching license (adapted curriculum K-12 or with an endorsement in a specific disability area).
Valid driver’s license.
The position involves working with students who exhibit challenging and/or aggressive behavior and participating in community outings.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience instructing individuals with autism using the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA).

Responsibilities

Collaborate with the BCBA and IEP team to develop, review, and maintain compliant IEP documents that reflect student needs and parent input.
Identify educational assessments and lead or conduct assessments for annual IEPs and eligibility meetings; ensure assessments are completed within required timeframes.
Coordinate administration of statewide assessments, lead pre-IEP and IEP meetings, complete annual IEP checklists, and submit progress reports at required intervals.
Train staff on IEP policies and procedures and oversee their implementation.
Lead instruction throughout the school day and use the allotted five hours of weekly planning time while students are present.
Arrange and maintain classroom environments, schedules, activities, and resources that support students’ needs and participation.
Apply VIA Tier 1 behavior support guidelines and consult with the BCBA on behavior strategies, motivation, acquisition, and challenging behavior.
Plan and deliver differentiated individual, small-group, and group instruction aligned with IEP goals; coordinate student participation and related-service schedules with the BCBA and providers.
Train instructional staff in behavioral skills, conduct proficiency checks, provide ongoing feedback, and foster positive staff relationships.
Maintain staff rotation schedules, monitor attendance and timeliness, coordinate classroom jobs and chores, and ensure student information sheets are completed monthly.
Schedule and oversee monthly data reviews, troubleshoot programs, lead weekly classroom meetings, and organize classroom new-hire training.
Develop and monitor transitions to less restrictive environments in collaboration with the BCBA, audit electronic data collection systems at three and six months after IEP commencement, and ensure IEP goals are implemented as scheduled.
Communicate professionally and compassionately with families, document communications, respond within 24 hours or assign a designee, and notify parents of illness, injury, unusual incidents, or protective holds on the day they occur.
Review home-school communication logs, participate in new-student admissions orientation, and schedule and lead parent meetings.
Monitor staff attendance and performance, provide feedback and performance improvement plans as appropriate, assist with annual evaluations, and track or approve Behavior Technician leave in Paylocity.
Support RBT supervision and training by tracking supervision hours and coordinating observations and meetings with the BCBA.
Coordinate with the Staff Development & Training Coordinator to ensure new staff training, and deliver training in instructional and skill-acquisition routines.
Lead and represent VIA in classroom, clinic, home, community, meeting, and program settings; ensure staff follow organizational policies and procedures.
Develop staffing and student schedules, solve problems and mediate staff conflicts, supervise staff, provide performance feedback, and conduct written annual staff evaluations.
Provide staff and caregiver training according to VIA standards and methods, and assist with ongoing staff development.
Assist with scheduled car and bus duty to support safe student arrival and dismissal, and participate in interviews as needed.
Maintain the classroom budget as directed by the Director of Day School and keep work areas, records, supplies, and materials organized and professionally presented.
Implement relevant organizational systems consistently.