Teacher- Special Education Day Program - Autism

Chesterfield County Public Schools; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 62,591 - 96,002; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits vary by status

Job summary

Chesterfield County Public Schools provides an Autism Day Program for students needing intensive supports. Teachers will implement STAR strategies and Teachtown, with strong emphasis on organizing and applying best practices for autism in a center-based setting.

The role requires planning, delivering, and evaluating instruction aligned to IEPs, collaborating with staff and families, and ongoing assessment to support student progress in a Virginia public school system.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of instruction principles, learning theory, and teaching methods for autism.
• Ability to identify students eligible for special education and develop instructional goals.
• Design and deliver instruction, assess learning, and generate data insights.
• Familiarity with Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism characteristics.
• Experience with ABA, discrete trial, pivotal response, and PECS.

Responsibilities

• Plan, deliver, and evaluate instruction based on IEPs and standards.
• Complete required training and apply best practices across autism classrooms.
• Apply specialized instructional strategies to improve student performance.
• Conduct instruction in compliance with IDEA and federal regulations.
• Assess learning continuously and adjust instruction for needs.
• Consult with teachers, administrators, and related services providers.
• Document progress and communicate with parents through multiple channels.
• Provide supervision to instructional assistants.
• Maintain classroom order per division guidelines.
• Supervise students during non-classroom times.
• Write effective IEPs aligned with autism needs and regulations.
• Demonstrate commitment to professional competence.

Skills

Strong decision-making

Problem analysis

Conflict resolution

Interpersonal skills

Planning skills

Knowledge of ABA and autism strategies

Experience with IEPs and data insights

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Virginia Collegiate Professional teaching license with Special Education endorsement

Job description

General Description

For the 2026-2027 school year, the Autism Day Program provides intensive autism supports and services for students who require more than what their home school or catchment autism program offers. Students may have communication and behavioral deficits and need intensive strategies to improve overall progress. Teachers will be trained in the STAR method, an Applied Behavioral Analysis program utilizing discrete trial, pivotal response, and picture exchange communication methods. Each classroom uses Teachtown, a computer program addressing academic needs. Candidates must be adept at organizing and implementing the STAR strategies and other best practices for students with autism in a center‑based approach.

Job Description

Essential Job Functions

• Plan, deliver, and evaluate instruction based on standards and objectives established by Chesterfield County Public Schools and each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).
• Complete required training and apply best practices to provide consistency across autism classrooms in the school division.
• Apply curriculum knowledge and specialized instructional strategies to improve student performance on standard‑based assessments.
• Conduct instruction in compliance with IDEA and federal regulations.
• Assess student learning continuously and adjust instruction to meet group and individual needs.
• Consult with teachers, administrators, related services providers, and instructional/health specialists to determine student eligibility, placement, and progress.
• Document and evaluate student progress; communicate progress frequently and effectively with parents through multiple channels.
• Provide supervision and work direction to instructional assistants.
• Maintain classroom order in accordance with division guidelines for student behavior management.
• Supervise students during non‑classroom time (lunch, fire drills, etc.).
• Write effective, standards‑based Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) that align with the needs of students with autism and comply with division procedures and VDOE regulations.
• Demonstrate commitment to improving professional competence.
• Perform other duties as required.

Equipment

Utilize a personal computer, general office equipment, and various assistive technology devices.

Contacts

Teachers, instructional assistants, building administrators, parents, and other school and community resources involved in service delivery.

Decision Making

Functions independently within the context of daily activities.

Physical Demands

Requires manual handling of objects, reaching, speaking, hearing, standing, walking, sitting, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, and possibly crisis prevention/intervention. May lift up to 25 pounds and assist students with toileting and personal hygiene.

Work Environment

Work is performed in a public school; the noise level is moderate.

Qualifications

Working knowledge of instruction principles, learning theory, and teaching methodologies for special education students, with a focus on autism. Demonstrated ability to identify students eligible for special education, develop instructional goals, design and deliver instruction, assess learning, develop IEPs through online systems, and generate data insights. Strong decision‑making, problem analysis, conflict resolution, interpersonal, and planning skills. Knowledge of Asperger Syndrome and high‑functioning autism characteristics and familiarity with Applied Behavioral Analysis, discrete trial, pivotal response, functional routines, and picture exchange communication methods.

Additional Requirements

Required: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Eligibility for a Virginia Collegiate Professional teaching license with an endorsement in Special Education.

Preferred: Experience teaching special education students.

Background Checks

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal History Investigation
• State Police Criminal History Investigation
• Child Protective Services (CPS) Investigation
• Tuberculosis Screening/Test

Compensation

$62,591.69 – $96,002.87

Hours Per Day

8.75

Days Per Year

200

Benefits

Chesterfield County Public Schools offers a wide variety of benefits to employees. Benefit offerings may differ based on full‑time and part‑time employee status.

Chesterfield County Public Schools assures Equal Employment Opportunities for employees as required by federal and state orders and laws. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks. This job description is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements. However, administration reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all‑inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position and does not imply an employment contract.