Teacher

IMPACT (Invo Multidisciplinary Program to Address Childhood Trauma) utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of youth struggling with mental health challenges, behavioral challenges, and social/emotional issues at home and school. Our interventions draw upon field-tested, evidence-based protocols while encouraging academic progress. Our youth-guided approach draws on each youth’s strengths, incorporates family members and other people living in the home (who may not be family members), and group-based interventions when appropriate, with the goal establishing healthy behaviors that will serve the youth throughout his/her lifetime.

The guiding philosophy behind IMPACT intervention services recognizes the severe implications of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). By understanding how to manage or ameliorate the effects of ACEs, youth-guided IMPACT intervention can change children’s lives for the better. Research has clearly shown the role of ACEs as root causes of behavior to better understand why a youth is distressed (i.e., early life trauma, mental illness in household, youth witnessing domestic violence) as a means for understanding the etiology of emotional problems, mental illness, and substance use. By identifying root causes of behavior, the IMPACT therapist creates treatment plans that will yield long term positive effects (such as reducing truancy, preventing substance abuse relapse, and maladaptive behaviors). The ramifications of failing to address ACEs, specifically when present at a high threshold in each child, can be catastrophic for their future mental and physical health.

The Polk County IMPACT team services 10 therapeutic classrooms located at 10 different school sites around the district. Each therapeutic classroom is led by an ESE certified teacher, a classroom aide/paraprofessional, and a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). IMPACT therapists are assigned two school sites, dividing their time amongst 50/50. A board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) supports each classroom as well. The IMPACT team provides intensive academic, behavioral (ABA), and mental-health interventions with the goal to transition students to the least restrictive environment with significant success in the acquisition of new skills.

This position is eligible for a $1,000 sign on bonus.

An IMPACT Classroom Teacher will provide intensive academic services for both children and adolescents. The following summarizes duties, as assigned:

• Maintain an active teacher certification in Exceptional Student Education (K-12)
• Provides research-based specialized instruction to address the instructional goals and objectives contained within each student’s individualized education plan (IEP)
• Employs various teaching techniques, methods and principles of learning to enable students to meet their IEP goals
• Supports the development of annual IEP plans for students to include: present levels of educational performance, special education needs, instructional goals and objectives, and the special education and related services required to meet those goals
• Coordinates the delivery of special education services in each student’s IEP
• Creates a positive learning experience with an emphasis in individualized instruction using appropriate resources
• Serves as the primary contact for the parent regarding academics
• Provides direction, supervision and evaluation of classroom aides as directed
• Complies with all School Board policies and all state/federal rules and regulations
• Completes all district and state reporting requirements
• Collaborate with the multidisplcinary team to increase student success
• Supervision of students during the entire school day, including arrival and dismissal
• Demonstrates ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students in the school environment and community
• Performs other duties as assigned by school administration or INVO Supervisor
• Maintain a certification in Professional Crisis Management (PCM- training provided) and assisting the team in crisis response and de-escalation

Requirements:

• Minimum B.A./B.S. degree in education from an accredited institution
• Current Florida teacher license in Exceptional Student Education (ESE), K-12 (required), additional certifications in content areas preferred
• Experience working with students eligible for the Emotional-Behavioral Disability (EBD), Other Health Impaired (OHI), and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) programs

INDSET