Veterinary Assisting Teacher

Do you have experience working in a veterinary clinic setting? Do you like working with young adults? Are you looking for a rewarding career where you get to be creative and collaborative? If you answered yes to those questions, then this unique role may be right for you!

The Northstar Career Center Veterinary Assisting program helps young adults with disabilities ages 16 – 24 gain work readiness skills. This position prepares students to work with animals in a clinical setting or in an animal care facility. With a special emphasis on problem-solving and collaboration, Northstar teachers have the freedom to be creative educators. They pass on real-world knowledge and advice, both in the classroom and off-campus at community partner organizations.

About Us:

Northstar promotes educational excellence and career opportunities for students with disabilities who have academic, physical, or social challenges. Northstar has been serving young people with a wide variety of learning differences since 1996—serving students in grades K-12 at the Academy and providing vocational training for young adults with disabilities ages 16-24 through the Northstar Career Center.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide hands-on and academic instruction to students aspiring to work as Veterinary Assistants or in related occupations.

• Develop and deliver differentiated daily lesson plans based on individual needs and learning styles.

• Observe and evaluate student performance in curriculum and social skill development.

• Implement curriculum and activities to ensure that their students meet benchmarks.

• Plan a program of study that, as much as possible, meets the individual needs, interests, and abilities of the students, challenging each of them to do their best work.

• Provide appropriate lessons to assist students to successfully move to post-secondary opportunities.

• Facilitate meaningful and ongoing communication with families and community providers.

• Act as on-site liaison between Northstar and external staff at community partner worksites.

• Supervise students at worksites.

• Provide meaningful information to assist with the development and progress monitoring of IEPs. This includes maintaining data as required by student IEPs and assisting in planning annual and short term goals for students.

• Collaborate with other faculty in planning and delivering instruction to students, including teaching a daily Advisory class, Northstar’s proprietary social skills curriculum.

• Incorporate the use of technology as appropriate, in the learning process.

• Communicate regularly with constituent groups in a professional manner.

• Maintain confidentiality and keep appropriate documentation of family contacts.

• Complete grades and comments for interim reports and report cards adhering to the required timeline.

Benefits and Work Hours:

Northstar is proud to offer compensation commensurate with experience and comparable to area public schools. Our unique benefits package has all the standard elements plus additional free benefits for employees and their dependents.

Qualifications/Skills:

• Requires general knowledge of the academic curriculum for assigned classes.

• Computer skills essential to position including word processing, knowledge of Google Suite, data management, etc.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate with others effectively, both orally and in writing.

• Demonstrated ability in decision making, problem analysis, conflict resolution, interpersonal relationships, and planning.

Education, Experience, and Licensing Requirements:

• Degree in Veterinary Technology, Special Education, or a related field

• 1 year teaching experience preferred. Successful student teaching experience accepted in place of prior teaching experience OR at least five years’ work experience in animal care or related fields.

• Must hold a valid Virginia Teaching license with an endorsement in Agricultural Science OR willingness to work towards this.

• Must hold a valid Virginia Driver’s License

Applicants considered for employment must successfully complete the following background investigations/tests:

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal History Investigation

• State Police Criminal History Investigation

• Child Protective Services (CPS) Investigation

• Tuberculosis Screening/Test