JOB STATUS: UNTIL FILLED

QUALIFICATIONS:  Licensed to teach in the Commonwealth of Virginia or eligible for licensure in special education. Bachelor’s degree in special education with an endorsement in adaptive curriculum preferred.  Three years of experience teaching students with autism, intellectual disabilities, or other low incidence disabilities, and knowledge of the transition process/priorities preferred. Three years of experience working in a collaborative and cooperative manner meeting with student’s parents to discuss student progress and areas of need and organizing exceptional education programs. Three years of experience working in a collaborative manner with co- workers, staff, and community representatives, and three years of experience scheduling and conducting individualized education programs (IEP). Bilingual skills to include Spanish are a plus.  Ability to perform job expectations independently as well as possess the ability to collaboratively work with various stakeholders. 

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:  Ability to effectively communicate and promote the mission, philosophy, and curriculum of the Autism Specialty classroom to parents, school and classroom staff, colleagues, and community partners. Participates in regularly scheduled and on-going professional development and technical assistance sessions and demonstrate consistent and accurate implementation of all competencies addressed in the trainings including: alignment of IEP goals and objectives with ASOL, development of a safe and conducive learning environment; implementation of evidence based practices such as positive behavior supports, person- centered planning, functional communication instruction, applied behavior analysis and data collection. Working knowledge of the concepts, principles and methodologies of instruction, learning theory, and teaching of special education students with intellectual disabilities and or Autism.  Effectively meet and address the communication needs of students, including those with limited or no verbal communication skills. Develops, implements, and assesses instructional strategies to ensure all students are actively engaged in learning. Ability to develop a coherent lesson plan properly aligned with ASOL, Aligned Standards of Learning, and IEP goals to include evidence of utilizing appropriate teaching strategies, integrating technology, formative and summative assessments, and data-based interventions. Provides effective differentiated instruction to teach functional academic and daily living skills, social competence, self-management skills, self-advocacy skills, and community and vocational skills. Follows a standardized protocol for assessing students’ entry level skills, developing IEPs aligned with the students’ need, using data collection tools to measure student progress and inform instruction, and providing skill-specific instruction utilizing principles of applied behavior analysis and environmental supports.  Meets on a regularly scheduled basis with autism mentors and other technical assistance providers to discuss the curriculum, review student progress, and identify professional development needs. Serves as case-manager and instructional leader of the classroom by supervising and providing training to instructional assistants and by working collaboratively with related service personnel to ensure a cohesive program that is aligned with the curriculum and reflects evidence-based practices. Demonstrates effective and respectful communication and interactions with family members, other caregivers, and community partners.  Includes parents and caregivers in all aspects of the program including the IEP process, person-centered planning, review of student progress, and sharing of techniques/materials which can be used in the home and community setting to facilitate generalization of skills. Provides parent training and linkages to community resources as appropriate. Adheres to all federal, state, and division mandates as related to IEP development, assessments, and other special education procedures. Performs other related duties as assigned.

GENERAL DEFINITION AND CONDITIONS OF WORK:  Duties performed typically in a school setting. Performs professional work providing teaching and/or training services to students with disabilities. Occasional movement of students in wheelchairs and other mechanical devices may be required. Occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds. Work requires stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, vocal  and written communication for expressing or exchanging ideas, hearing to perceive information at a normal spoken word level and visual acuity for preparing and analyzing written or computer data.

REPORTS TO:  Principal

HOW TO APPLY: All applicants (including RPS employees) must submit an on-line application. Please access website at: www.rvaschools.net.

Please upload the following information with your application: a current resume, transcript and license if applicable.

Three reference names and contact information will be required if you progress to the interview step of the selection process. Richmond Public Schools will conduct a background investigation, fingerprinting and tuberculosis screening as a condition of employment.  EOE.

PAY SCALE: Teacher's salary scale

LENGTH OF CONTRACT: This is a nine and one half month (200 days) contract position with excellent benefits.

FLSA: Exempt

START DATE: Based on School Board approval