KEYS Long Term Substitute Teacher
About The Position
The KEYS Academy Long-Term Substitute Teacher provides engaging, individualized instruction to support students’ academic, behavioral, communication, and social-emotional development. In collaboration 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 to foster 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. Its approach is guided by Safety, Dignity, and Opportunity and rooted in trauma-informed care. Through small classrooms and individualized support, students build academic skills, strengthen social-emotional development and self-regulation, work toward achievable goals, and develop confidence in learning. KEYS Academy is supported by Health Connect America. 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 must promote student well-being, safety, dignity, opportunity, and measurable progress.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED.
- Successfully complete the Paraprofessional examination within one year of hire.
- Complete required competency-based training in universal precautions, de-escalation and physical restraint crisis intervention, and safe student transportation.
- Complete required competency-based training in medication administration, confidentiality, and ethics.
- Current CPR/First Aid certification.
- Complete training for the APEX, Exact Path, and LEXIA online learning programs.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with mentor teachers to plan and deliver daily lessons aligned with Virginia SOLs, school curriculum, individual student needs, IEP goals, and accommodations.
- Differentiate instruction using evidence-based practices, 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 student outcomes.
- Integrate the KEYS and Social Thinking curricula into daily instruction; reinforce positive social behaviors and support self-determination, 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 on time.
- 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 professionalism.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Education Level
High school or GED
