Special Education Associate Teacher (2025-2026)

Job Summary

The Associate Teacher is responsible for creating a classroom environment favorable to learning and personal growth of every student; establishing effective rapport with students; motivating students to develop skills, attitudes and knowledge needed to provide a good foundation for becoming a responsible citizen in accordance with each pupil's ability; and to establish good relationships with parents and with other staff members. The Associate Teacher is a non-licensed employee who commits to working on the requirements for a Virginia teaching license during the one-year employment period.

Essential Duties

1. Instructs students in a program of study which meets stated objectives and prepares students to master grade level standards.
2. Instructs students in citizenship and basic subject matter specified in state law and administrative regulations and procedures of Newport News Public Schools.
3. Develops lesson plans and supplementary materials compatible with the division's basic instructional philosophy and congruent with course / SOL standards; provides individualized and small group instruction in order to adapt the curriculum to the needs of each student and subgroups of students.
4. Translates lesson plans into learning experiences so as to best utilize the available time for instruction and to actively engage students.
5. Establishes and maintains standards of student behavior needed to achieve a functional learning atmosphere in the classroom by providing positive reinforcement of acceptable behaviors and modifying unacceptable behaviors.
6. Evaluates academic and social growth of students, prepares report cards, and keeps appropriate records to include attendance reports, checklists, census forms, and other recordkeeping activities as necessary.
7. Communicates regularly with parents or guardians through conferences and other means to discuss student progress.
8. Supervises and monitors student movement and escorts students to resources, bathrooms, buses, cafeteria, room changes and other activities in the building.
9. Administers standardized testing in accordance with division testing practices.
10. Models nondiscriminatory practices in all activities.

(These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment.)

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills and/or Abilities Required)

Must possess a Bachelor's or Master's degree. Must possess the ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Must possess the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, parents, and the public. Must be willing to commit to working with a Human Resources representative to create a plan to ensure licensure requirements are completed by June 1 of every year.