Middle & High School Focus Classroom Teacher/Practitioner - Thornwell Charter School (South Carolina)

Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

The Focus Classroom Teacher / Practitioner provides structured behavioral, academic, and skill-based support for middle and high school students who are being held accountable for disciplinary infractions. This position plays a vital role in helping students learn, practice, and apply replacement skills that support success in school and in the broader community.

Rooted in the Teaching-Family Model, the Focus Classroom emphasizes accountability paired with dignity, structure, relationship-building, and intentional skill instruction. The Focus Classroom Teacher / Practitioner works closely with school staff and TFM leadership to ensure students experience consistency, growth, and meaningful opportunities for change.

Program Purpose

The Focus Classroom serves two primary purposes:

Behavioral Accountability & Skill Development
Provide consistent supervision and teaching-based responses for students assigned to Focus Classroom through the school’s disciplinary process. This includes developing and conducting intentional, skill-based lessons and activities designed to teach replacement skills necessary for success in academic settings and daily life. Emphasis is placed on reflection, emotional regulation, responsible decision-making, problem-solving, and pro-social behavior.

Academic Support & Skill Application
Support students in completing general education coursework, VirtualSC courses, and structured intervention activities during assigned Focus Classroom periods. Reinforce and help students apply learned replacement skills within the learning environment to improve engagement, independence, and accountability.

All interactions with students must align with Teaching-Family Model principles, emphasizing dignity, consistency, relationship-building, and skill acquisition.

Essential Responsibilities

Behavioral Support & Intervention

  • Maintain a structured, consistent, teaching-based environment with clear expectations and accountability.

  • Support middle and high school students assigned to Focus Classroom due to disciplinary infractions.

  • Respond to behavior using Teaching-Family Model strategies, focusing on skill-building and growth.

  • Support behavior interventions used in the main middle/high school building, including assisting students not currently assigned to Focus Classroom when needed.

Skill-Based Instruction

  • Develop and conduct structured lessons and activities that teach replacement skills.

  • Reinforce skills related to regulation, communication, accountability, restitution, and problem-solving.

  • Support students in generalizing learned skills to classrooms, peer interactions, and daily routines.

Academic Oversight

  • Collaborate with teachers to ensure coursework is completed with fidelity while students are assigned to Focus Classroom.

  • Monitor progress, work completion, and effort, communicating concerns appropriately.

Service-Project Program Support

  • Assist in the development, oversight, and supervision of a structured service-project program.

  • Ensure service projects are purposeful, developmentally appropriate, and aligned with accountability and skill-building goals.

Training & Model Fidelity

  • Complete all required Teaching-Family Model training and ongoing professional development.

  • Participate in monthly observations and coaching with the TFM Director.

  • Maintain alignment with Teaching-Family Association accreditation standards and best practices.

Core Competencies & Qualifications

Required Skills and Attributes

  • Strong organization and time-management skills

  • Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and leadership

  • Skill in conflict resolution and de-escalation

  • Flexibility, adaptability, and problem-solving skills

  • Commitment to serving adolescents, particularly students experiencing behavioral challenges

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience working with middle or high school students

  • Background in behavior support, intervention programs, or trauma-informed practices

  • Willingness to learn and implement the Teaching-Family Model with fidelity

Professional Expectations

  • Demonstrate professionalism, consistency, and reliability

  • Maintain clear and respectful communication with administration, teachers, and TFM leadership

  • Serve as a positive role model by reinforcing structure, respect, accountability, and growth

Interested Candidates please contact

Jayce Horton, Teaching Family Model Director/Behavioral MTSS Coordinator

Thornwell Charter School, 203 W. Calhoun St., Clinton, SC 29325

(864)808-0801

jhorton@thornwellcharterschool.org

www.thornwellcharterschool.org

Michele Boguslofski