KEYS Long Term Substitute Teacher

Health Connect America•Culpeper, VA

18d

About The Position

The KEYS Academy Long-Term Substitute Teacher provides engaging, individualized instruction supporting students’ academic, behavioral, communication, and social-emotional development. Working collaboratively with licensed teachers, administrators, and support staff, the teacher implements student Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs), the KEYS Curriculum, and the Social Thinking Program in a safe, structured, and inclusive learning environment. KEYS Academy is a network of private special education day schools serving students in grades K–12 across Virginia. Guided by Safety, Dignity, and Opportunity and rooted in trauma-informed care, its schools provide structured, supportive learning environments that help students build academic skills, strengthen social-emotional development and self-regulation, meet achievable goals, and build confidence in learning. Small classroom settings and individualized support help students develop skills for academic success and positive future transitions. KEYS Academy is supported by Health Connect America and combines a close-knit school community with the resources and professional support of a multi-state organization. Its schools are licensed by the Virginia Department of Education and accredited through the Virginia Association of Independent Special Education Facilities (VAISEF). The successful candidate is committed to student-centered education, collaboration, professional growth, and students’ academic and personal development. All responsibilities are performed in a manner that promotes student well-being, safety, dignity, opportunity, and measurable progress.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Successful completion of the Paraprofessional examination within one year of hire.
Completion of required competency-based training in universal precautions, de-escalation and physical restraint crisis intervention, and safe student transportation.
Completion of required competency-based training in medication administration, confidentiality, and ethics.
Current CPR/First Aid certification.
Completion of training for APEX, Exact Path, and LEXIA online learning programs.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with mentor teachers to develop and deliver daily lessons aligned with Virginia SOLs, school curriculum, student needs, IEP goals, and accommodations.
Differentiate instruction using evidence-based practices, appropriate teaching strategies, visual supports, sensory strategies, and reinforcement to promote engagement, communication, social skills, and independence.
Establish consistent routines, clear expectations, and classroom management and behavior intervention plans that promote safety, dignity, respect, and positive outcomes.
Integrate the KEYS and Social Thinking curricula into daily instruction, reinforce positive social behaviors, support self-determination, and develop students’ problem-solving, communication, and relationship-building skills.
Collect and analyze student data, assess academic and behavioral progress, document IEP goal achievement, and adjust instructional strategies with mentor teachers.
Assist with IEP development and implementation, attend IEP meetings, contribute to measurable student goals, maintain required records, and complete progress monitoring and reporting within established timelines.
Collaborate with teachers, paraprofessionals, related service providers, administrators, parents or guardians, and other team members to support student success and communicate progress.
Supervise and assist students during classroom activities, lunch, recreation, field trips, community-based activities, and summer programming as assigned.
Follow applicable federal and state laws, school policies, confidentiality requirements, ethical guidelines, and safety procedures.
Maintain accurate records and incident reports, attend required meetings and trainings, and demonstrate consistent professionalism.