TITLE:  Special Education - Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

LOCATION: TBD

JOB GOAL:  The Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing assists in developing language acquisition and communication skills to facilitate the personal, social, and intellectual development of the students within the educational program who have a hearing loss.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Advocate for the rights of students who are deaf or hearing impaired
• Develop and maintain a positive professional working relationship with student, parents, teachers, administrators and other service providers.
• Maintain close communication with general education teachers and other service providers, keeping them fully informed of student progress.
• Assist in establishing class schedules.
• Supervise, evaluate and help train paraprofessionals as assigned.
• Request equipment and supplies as necessary to meet objectives as outlined on individual student’s I.E.P.s
• Consults with parents, other professionals, agencies, and support staff regarding student educational needs.
• Educate parents, teachers, students, and aides on various issues regarding working with children who have a hearing loss.
• Employ amplification devices for student need, in conjunction with the district audiologist.
• Serves as a liaison between the school and community.

• Plan instruction as needed per Individual Education Plans (IEPs), in alignment with the Kansas State Standards
• Records student progress and other data as required per IEPs and school monitoring procedures.
• Develop appropriate IEP goals based on data and the educational needs of the child.
• Evaluates student academic and behavioral progress using specific assessments for deaf and hard-of hearing students.
• Develop appropriate Individual Education Plans for deaf and hard-of-hearing students
• Design and implement instructional lessons appropriate to the child’s needs based on research-based best practices
• Develop the communication and self-advocacy skills of individual deaf and hard-of-hearing students
• Use appropriate amplification devices effectively with deaf and hard-of-hearing children
• Coordinate scheduling of American Sign Language Interpreters in accordance to building and student need

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Meet the employment qualifications set forth by the Kansas City, Kansas Board of Education and the Kansas State Department of Education.
• Hold certification as Teacher of the Deaf/Hard Hearing and be eligible for a Kansas licensure
• Comfortable communicating in American Sign Language as an instructional support

Must be tolerant and understanding of students with special needs.

Show initiative, creativity, self-motivation and good judgment.

Demonstrate good judgment, adaptability and flexibility.

Respect confidentiality.

Excellent interpersonal skills, professional judgment, oral and written communication

COMMUNICATION

Maintains communication with teachers, other school personnel, and parents/guardians to enhance cooperative action which will meet the educational needs of students.

Provides health services, information, and counseling in an effective and positive manner to enhance the health and wellness of the school community.

Completes accident/incident reports for students/staff.

Compiles data for statistical purposes.

Maintains confidentiality regarding educational records.

ORGANIZATION

Maintains a daily log of school/staff visits and documentation.

Maintains the daily environment of the health office facility and supplies.

Utilizes existing technology effectively in the performance of duties.

Performs other related work as required.

REASONING ABILITY:  Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.  Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:  Ability to read and analyze and interpret general professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports, general curriculum and learning theories, correspondence, and protocols.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of administrators, staff, parents, students, and the general public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, stand and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  The employee must occasionally push items of 50 pounds such as pushing on a bike ore wheelchair, or moving/rearranging furniture.  While performing the duties of the job the employee occasionally may visit a child’s home.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud and is a standard acceptable level for this environment. Is directly responsible for students’ safety, work output and well-being.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES: Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional program; ability to plan and implement lessons based on division and school objectives and the needs and abilities of students.  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, parents and community; ability to speak clear and concisely in written or oral communication.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:        186 days

SALARY:             Based on KCKPS Salary Schedule

FLSA STATUS:    EXEMPT

REPORT TO:         Principal

EVALUATION:    Performance will be evaluated in accordance with Board of Education policy

 Signatures

This job description has been approved by all levels of management:

Manager _______________________________________________

HR ___________________________________________________

Employee signature below constitutes employee’s understanding of the requirements, essential functions and duties of the position.

Employee _____________________________ Date ____________