JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Sheltercare Home School Educational Program (SHSEP) is an alternative educational program for students who have been placed at the Sheltercare Center by the Alexandria City court system. SHSEP provides full-day educational services for school-aged students who are residing at the Sheltercare Center. The school is a secure facility with a capacity of 14 students. Students are enrolled for short periods of time, ranging from 1 day to 90 days. Teachers serving students are licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia. The SHSEP teacher is an 11-month position that will coordinate and manage the school program and reports directly to the Executive Director of Equity & Title IX Coordinator.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: Bachelor’s in teaching or related content field is required
• Licenses/Certificates: Valid Virginia teaching license with endorsement in Special Education (or eligibility to obtain)
• Other Qualifications:
• Highly Qualified status in core academic areas
• Minimum of 3 years of successful classroom teaching, preferably with at-risk, special education, or alternative education students
• Demonstrated success teaching across multiple grade levels or in multi-age settingsStrong communication and collaboration skills

Preferred Qualifications :

• Multiple endorsements beyond the required Special Education endorsement, including EL and/or Elementary Education are preferred
• Experience working with students experiencing trauma, homelessness, or judicial involvement

• Background in restorative practices, PBIS, or therapeutic settingsSpanish speaking and/or experience working in an urban student population or students residing in urban locals

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Instruction & Differentiation:
• Plan for and deliver instruction in all core content areas (Math, English, Science, Social Studies) across multiple grade levels in a one-room classroom setting
• Adapt and modify lessons for students with IEPs, 504 Plans, English language needs, and interrupted formal education
• Provide individualized and small-group instruction tailored to each student’s academic level, background, and interests
• Utilize trauma-informed and culturally responsive teaching practices
• Special Education Responsibilities:
• Implement IEP accommodations for identified students
• Collaborate with special education coordinators at base schools and related service provider as needed
• Student Transitions & School Communication:
• Communicate consistently and professionally with each student’s base school to align instruction, obtain records, and ensure credit recovery or continuation
• Assess student progress and maintain student interim grades; and, share grades with base schools
• Collaborate with district and jurisdictional liaisons to support reentry planning and educational stability
• Maintain documentation on student progress, attendance, and communication logs
• Sheltercare Collaboration & Support
• Coordinate educational programming with Sheltercare staff to support students’ therapeutic, behavioral, and case management needs
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and case reviews
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with students to support re-engagement in learning
• Help students develop educational and life goals; encourage persistence beyond Sheltercare
• Professional Collaboration & Community Engagement
• Collaborate with professionals from Alexandria City Public Schools and neighboring school divisions (e.g., Fairfax, Arlington, etc.)
• Engage outside agencies and educational consultants as needed to support individual student plansParticipate in ongoing professional development on trauma-informed practices, culturally responsive teaching, and instructional strategies for diverse learners

The Sheltercare Teacher is responsible for providing a flexible, high-quality educational program to students in a temporary residential setting. This includes teaching multiple subjects across multiple grade levels (typically middle school through high school), differentiating for students with a variety of academic, behavioral, and socio-emotional needs—including those with IEPs and ELL/ESL support needs. Teaching requires flexibility, creativity, and a highly adaptive instructional approach. The teacher also needs to work collaboratively with Sheltercare staff, external agencies, and base schools from Alexandria and surrounding jurisdictions to ensure educational continuity for all students.