Adaptive Classroom Teacher

About the role

At Solterra School, we're creating a different kind of school—one that brings education, clinical support, and compassion together to help students with autism reach their fullest potential. We're looking for an Adaptive Teacher to lead a classroom for students with significant cognitive, communication, behavioral, and sensory support needs—building a space where every student can access learning, communication, and independence at their own pace.

Responsibilities

• Deliver individualized, functional instruction aligned to each student's IEP goals, adapting curriculum for significant cognitive, communication, sensory, and motor needs.
• Build a structured, predictable classroom using visual supports, AAC, and hands-on, sensory-based learning.
• Implement behavior support plans in close coordination with the BCBA and RBTs assigned to your classroom.
• Embed functional life skills—self-care, routines, and independence—into every part of the school day.
• Maintain a safe, organized classroom, and oversee the RBTs and paraprofessionals supporting it.
• Collaborate daily with OT, SLP, and the behavior team to keep therapeutic strategies woven into instruction.
• Keep IEP documentation and progress notes accurate, timely, and compliant.
• Partner with families so strategies and routines carry over between school and home.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Special Education or a related field
• Active or eligible Virginia teaching license with a Special Education endorsement
• Demonstrated experience working with students with significant or complex disabilities

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Special Education (preferred)
• Experience in an adaptive, life skills, or self-contained classroom (preferred)
• AAC experience (preferred)
• Familiarity with ABA-informed practices (preferred)
• CPI or similar de-escalation certification (preferred)

Skills

• Patient, calm, and steady under pressure
• Highly collaborative and comfortable co-teaching alongside BCBA and behavior staff
• Creative and flexible in adapting instruction to each student's needs
• Organized, with strong documentation habits
• Sees every student's growth, however it shows up, as success

Benefits

• Student-centered care
• True interdisciplinary collaboration
• Professional growth and learning
• Dignity, respect, and inclusion
• Opportunity to help shape a growing school

Pay

The pay for this position is $75,000–$95,000 per year, set in good faith based on the responsibilities of the role, qualifications, and market conditions.

Schedule

This is a full-time, on-site teaching role aligned with the school day, working in daily partnership with our clinical and behavior support teams. Hours are 8am - 3:30pm with school hours being 8:30am - 2:30pm.