Join Our Team at KEYS Academy, Supported by Health Connect America! 

KEYS Academy is a network of Private Special Education Day schools serving students across Virginia in grades K–12. Guided by the principles of Safety, Dignity, and Opportunity and rooted in trauma informed care, our schools provide structured, supportive learning environments where students build academic skills, strengthen social-emotional development and self-regulation, set and meet achievable goals, and rediscover confidence in learning.

Through small classroom settings and individualized support, our teams help students develop the skills needed for academic success and positive future transitions. Supported by Health Connect America; KEYS Academy combines the close-knit culture of a school community with the resources and professional support of a multi-state organization dedicated to improving outcomes for children and families.

KEYS Academy schools are licensed by the Virgina Department of Education and accredited through Virginia Association of Independent Special Education Facilities (VAISEF).

The KEYS Academy Long-Term Substitute Teacher provides engaging, individualized instruction that supports students’ academic, behavioral, communication, and social-emotional development. Working collaboratively with licensed teachers, administrators, and support staff, this role implements student Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs), the KEYS Curriculum, and the Social Thinking Program to create a safe, structured, and inclusive learning environment.

What You’ll Do

• Plan and Deliver Instruction: Collaborate with mentor teachers to develop and deliver daily lessons aligned with Virginia SOLs, school curriculum, and individual student needs, IEP goals, and accommodations.

• Support Individualized Learning: Differentiate instruction using evidence-based practices, appropriate teaching strategies, visual supports, sensory strategies, and reinforcement to promote student engagement, communication, social skills, and independence.

• Manage Classroom Environment: Establish consistent routines, clear expectations, and classroom management and behavior intervention plans that promote safety, dignity, respect, and positive student outcomes.

• Implement KEYS and Social Thinking Curricula: Integrate both programs into daily instruction, reinforce positive social behaviors, support self-determination, and help students develop problem-solving, communication, and relationship-building skills.

• Monitor Student Progress: Collect and analyze student data, assess academic and behavioral progress, document IEP goal achievement, and adjust instructional strategies in collaboration with mentor teachers.

• Support Special Education Case Management: 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 and Communicate: Work effectively with teachers, paraprofessionals, related service providers, administrators, parents/guardians, and other team members to support student success and communicate progress.

• Supervise and Support Students: Provide supervision and assistance during classroom activities, lunch, recreation, field trips, community-based activities, and summer programming as assigned.

• Maintain Professional Standards: 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.

Position Expectations

The successful candidate demonstrates a commitment to student-centered education, collaboration, professional growth, and the academic and personal development of students. All responsibilities must be performed in a manner that promotes student well-being, safety, dignity, opportunity, and measurable progress.

• High school diploma or GED required.

• 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.