Substitute Special Education Teacher​/Paraprofessional; ESN

Job Title: Substitute Special Education Teacher / Paraprofessional

Location: Building Connections Academy - Martinez, CA

Hours: In-person, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Compensation: $30-$35 per hour while assigned as a Substitute Special Education Teacher; $22-$28 per hour while assigned as a Paraprofessional. Rates are based on experience, credentials, certification, and education.

FLSA Status: Full-Time, Hourly (Non-Exempt)

About Building Connections Academy: At Building Connections Academy (BCA), we believe every child deserves a place where they feel seen, supported, and inspired to grow. We are a nonpublic school serving students with mild to moderate and extensive support needs (ESN), creating a learning environment that is inclusive, engaging, and full of possibility. Our team is passionate about empowering students to discover their strengths, build meaningful relationships, and develop the confidence to thrive both in and out of the classroom.

Learn more at

Position Overview: This is a dual-role position supporting Building Connections Academy as both a Substitute Special Education Teacher and Paraprofessional based on school staffing needs.

When teacher coverage is needed, the employee will serve as a Substitute Special Education Teacher and will be paid the applicable substitute teacher rate of $30-$35 per hour. When not assigned to provide teacher coverage, the employee will work as a Paraprofessional and will be paid the applicable paraprofessional rate of $22-$28 per hour.

While serving as a Substitute Special Education Teacher, the employee provides classroom coverage during teacher absences and supports the continuation of specialized instruction for K-8 students with disabilities, including students with extensive support needs (ESN). This includes following established lesson plans, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), accommodations, modifications, behavior support plans, and classroom routines.

While serving as a Paraprofessional, the employee works under the direction of the classroom teacher and school team to provide individualized behavioral, academic, communication, social, functional, and daily living support to students.

In both roles, the employee works collaboratively with teachers, BCBAs, Paraprofessionals, Behavior Interventionists, administrators, and other school staff to maintain a safe, structured, inclusive, and supportive learning environment.

• Provide classroom instruction and supervision during teacher absences.
• Follow established lesson plans, classroom schedules, routines, and instructional expectations.
• Implement students’ IEP goals, accommodations, modifications, and supports as directed.
• Provide specialized instruction across academic, social, emotional, behavioral, and functional domains.
• Implement established evidence-based instructional strategies and adapt classroom activities to meet diverse learning needs.
• Follow established Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), behavior support strategies, safety plans, and crisis-response procedures.
• Collect and document student data, classroom observations, behaviors, and other relevant information as directed.
• Provide guidance and direction to paraprofessionals and behavior support staff to maintain established classroom routines and student programming.
• Support students with communication, self-care, functional, and daily living skills as required by their individual programs.
• Maintain a positive and inclusive classroom environment that encourages participation, engagement, independence, and learning.
• Communicate relevant classroom information, student concerns, incidents, or significant events to school administration and the assigned teacher.
• Maintain student confidentiality and comply with school policies and special education requirements.

• Provide individualized behavioral and educational support to students in the school setting.
• Work under the direction of classroom teachers, BCBAs, and other designated school staff.
• Implement individualized student programs and collect data to track progress.
• Support students in developing communication, social, academic, play, self-help, and daily living skills.
• Implement behavior support strategies and student Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) as directed.
• Provide prompting, reinforcement, redirection, and other appropriate supports based on individual student needs.
• Encourage student…