Teacher - Exceptional Education

Teacher – Exceptional Education (2026-27 School Year)

Starting Date: Aug 10, 2026

Job Title: Teacher – Exceptional Education

Terms of Employment: 9.5-month (200 Day)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Work Location: Dogwood Middle School

Immediate Supervisor: School Principal

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary: $57,557 to $107,084 Per Year

Pay Scale: Teacher's salary scale

Start Date: Based on School Board approval

• Effectively communicate and promote the mission, philosophy, and curriculum of the Autism Specialty classroom to parents, school and classroom staff, colleagues, and community partners.
• Participate in scheduled professional development and technical assistance sessions and implement competencies from trainings, including alignment of IEP goals and objectives with ASOL, development of a safe learning environment, and evidence-based practices such as positive behavior supports, person-centered planning, functional communication instruction, applied behavior analysis, and data collection.
• Apply knowledge of instruction, learning theory, and teaching methods for special education students with intellectual disabilities and/or autism.
• Address communication needs of students, including those with limited or no verbal skills.
• Develop, implement, and assess instructional strategies to keep all students actively engaged.
• Create lesson plans aligned with ASOL, State Standards, and IEP goals, incorporating appropriate teaching strategies, technology, formative and summative assessments, and data-driven interventions.
• Provide differentiated instruction for functional academic, daily living, social competence, self‑management, self‑advocacy, and community/vocational skills.
• Follow a standardized protocol for assessing entry‑level skills, developing IEPs, using data collection tools, and delivering intervention instruction grounded in applied behavior analysis and environmental supports.
• Meet regularly with autism mentors and technical assistance providers to review curriculum, student progress, and professional development needs.
• Serve as case manager and instructional leader, supervising and training instructional assistants, and collaborating with related service personnel to ensure a cohesive, evidence‑based program.
• Communicate respectfully with families, other caregivers, and community partners.
• Enlist parents and caregivers in all program aspects—including IEP process, person-centered planning, progress review, and sharing of home and community strategies for skill generalization.
• Offer parent training and linkages to community resources as appropriate.
• Adhere to federal, state, and division mandates related to IEP development, assessment, and special education procedures. Perform related duties as assigned.

• Licensed to teach in Virginia or eligible for licensure in special education. Bachelor’s degree in special education with an emphasis in adaptive curriculum preferred.
• At least three years of experience teaching students with autism, intellectual disabilities, or other low‑incidence disabilities, and knowledge of the transition process.
• At least three years of collaborative experience meeting with parents to discuss student progress and needs, and organizing exceptional education programs.
• At least three years of experience coordinating with coworkers, staff, and community representatives, and scheduling and conducting IEPs.
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish is a plus.
• Independently perform job expectations and collaborate with various stakeholders.

All applicants (including RPS employees) must submit an online application. Please access the website at:

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