KEYS Special Education Teacher

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).

What a Day at KEYS Academy Looks Like:

In this role, you will lead a structured, trauma-informed classroom designed to help students feel safe, dignified, and available to learn. Each day focuses on delivering meaningful instruction aligned to the Virginia Standards of Learning while also supporting students’ communication skills, social development, and emotional regulation.

You will work with students who have emotional, behavioral, and developmental needs, using evidence-based practices to promote academic growth and independence. Through consistent routines, clear expectations, and positive behavioral supports, you will create an environment where students understand boundaries, feel dignified, and are empowered to make progress.

This role is ideal for a licensed Special Education teacher who values structure, data-driven instruction, collaboration, and the opportunity to make measurable impact with an at-risk population in a small classroom setting.

As a KEYS Academy Teacher, you will design and deliver individualized instruction aligned to each student’s IEP goals while integrating the KEYS for a Big Life Curriculum and Social Thinking framework into daily instruction. Working under the guidance of the School Director, you will foster Safety, Dignity, and Opportunity in every interaction.

Responsibilities:

Instruction & Curriculum Implementation

• Develop and deliver lesson plans aligned to the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs), school curriculum, and individual student IEP goals.
• Differentiate instruction to meet varied academic, behavioral, communication, and sensory needs.
• Implement evidence-based teaching strategies such differentiated instruction, scaffolding, social-emotional needs-based interventions, relationship building, and positive behavioral supports.
• Embed communication development and specific social-emotional learning instruction into daily academic lessons.
• Utilize online instructional platforms including Courseware, EXACT Path, and LEXIA, along with Wilson Reading Systems and supplemental instructional resources.
• Create and maintain a structured master classroom schedule and develop clear collaboration and debriefing practices with support staff.

Classroom Environment & Student Support

• Establish and maintain a safe, dignified, predictable, and student-centered classroom environment.
• Follow specified classroom management systems and individual Behavior Intervention Keys (behavior intervention strategies and supports).
• Use posted learning objectives and structured routines to maximize instructional time and minimize disruptions.
• Provide supervision and support during arrival and dismissal, transitions, lunch, recreation, community-based activities, field trips, and summer programming.
• Proactively support students’ sensory and behavior regulation needs.
• Model and reinforce expected communication and social skills strategies.

Assessment & Data-Driven Instruction

• Establish Present Levels of Performance and baseline data for students.
• Collect and analyze data aligned to IEP goals, social-emotional development, and academic benchmarks.
• Conduct formal and informal assessments to guide instructional decisions.
• Provide constructive and timely feedback to students and families.
• Use assessment results to adjust instruction and support measurable academic progress.
• Maintain accurate attendance, grades, academic and social-emotional progress documentation, and required reports.

Special Education Case Management

• Serve as case manager for assigned students.
• Develop Present Levels of Performance, Transition Plans, and IEP goals in compliance with federal, state, and school timelines.
• Monitor and document student progress toward IEP goals and social-emotional learning.
• Attend and participate in IEP meetings and parent-teacher conferences.
• Collaborate with families, LEA representatives, and related service providers to support student success.
• Complete required incident reports, Power Action Reports, compliance documentation, student progress reports, and student report cards accurately and on time.

KEYS Curriculum & Social Thinking Integration

• Actively teach and reinforce the KEYS for a Big Life Curriculum in daily classroom interactions.
• Support students in identifying strengths, setting goals, and overcoming obstacles constructively.
• Incorporate Social Thinking language and concepts into classroom management and instruction.
• Provide direct instruction and feedback related to expected vs. unexpected behaviors.
• Help students develop awareness of how their actions impact others and build positive peer relationships.
• Encourage students to check for Safety, Dignity, and Opportunity in decision-making.

Professional Responsibilities

• Adhere to federal and state laws, school policies, and professional ethical standards.
• Maintain confidentiality and professional communication at all times.
• Collaborate effectively with paraprofessionals, administrators, related services staff, and families.
• Participate in required trainings, meetings, and professional development.
• Maintain CPR/First Aid/AED certification and complete required crisis intervention, transportation safety, medication administration, ethics, and confidentiality trainings.
• Follow KEYS Academy policies regarding technology use, social media interactions, attendance, and dress code.

Education & Licensure

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university required.

• Active Virginia teaching license in Special Education required (license eligible candidates accepted).

• Endorsement in Emotional Disabilities (ED), Special Education General Curriculum K–12, or related Special Education endorsement required. (Endorsement in Elementary Education or Secondary Education accepted if candidate is willing to pursue a SPED endorsement within the specified timeframe.) 

• Must maintain licensure and required certifications throughout employment.

Required Knowledge & Skills

• Strong knowledge of Special Education law and practices, IEP development, and compliance requirements.

• Knowledge of behavioral strategies, crisis intervention, and positive behavioral supports.

• Ability to develop and implement instruction aligned to SOLs and individualized IEP goals.

• Strong classroom management and structured teaching skills.

• Ability to analyze student data and make instructional decisions.

• Proficiency with educational technology and online learning platforms.

• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally in both written and verbal formats.

• Strong organizational and planning skills.

• Ability to build positive relationships with students, families, and colleagues.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to meet state and federal background and clearance requirements.

• Ability to complete required trainings within designated timeframes.

• CPR/First Aid/AED certification required.

• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds and move throughout the classroom and school environment as needed.

Be Well with Us

We recognize the important work educators and school staff do each day and the need for balance and support to sustain that work. KEYS Academy promotes a structured school environment designed to support both student success and employee wellbeing.

Full-time employees enjoy paid time off, paid holidays, and a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with confidential counseling sessions
• Health Savings Account with company contribution
• Dependent Daycare Flexible Spending Account
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Access to a Health Navigator
• Benefits Hub and Tickets at Work employee discount programs

Make a difference. Grow your career. Join KEYS Academy, supported by Health Connect America.

Employment at Health Connect America and its companies is contingent upon meeting the requirements of a comprehensive background investigation prior to joining our team. 

Health Connect America and its companies are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other basis forbidden under federal, state, or local law.  For more information on Equal Opportunity, please click here Equal Employment Opportunity Posters