TITLE:   TEACHER OF THE DEAF/HARD OF HEARING

PRIMARY FUNCTION:     To facilitate the education of those students whose hearing is organically defective.

Responsible for developing and providing specialized, research-based instruction to meet the unique needs of students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Also responsible for evaluating and assessing student progress against instructional objectives and following state mandated due process procedures and functions. The students range in age from birth through 21 and may have only a hearing impairment or additional disabilities.

Critical functions of the job are:

1. Provide instruction and support in curriculum areas, making appropriate use of instructional resources and technologies.

2. Interpret hearing/audiological medical reports as they relate to educational environments. Consult with diagnosticians, classroom teachers, students, and parents concerning appropriate evaluations, modification, and test administration.

3. Conduct special education evaluations and reevaluations.

4. Write and implement individual student goals and objectives and evaluate student performance according to the goals and objectives on Individual Educational Plan (IEP).

5. Provide direction, supervision, and evaluative feedback of paraprofessionals as directed.

6. Maintain required student records and complete all district and state reporting requirements.

7. Maintain contact and communications with parents of students and work with them in the development of each student.

8. Perform classroom management duties, enforcing division rules governing the conduct.

9. Implement the goals and objectives of the division and the building and/or program.

10. Understand and be able to implement due process guidelines following state and federal rules, regulations, and division policies including applicable deadlines.

11. Attend meetings, workshops, and training in the field of hearing impairment as directed by the supervisor.

12. Perform other related duties as assigned. Requirements & Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in education and required teaching certificate in Special Education: Deaf or Hard of Hearing as required by the Virginia Department of Education. Specific content knowledge, training, or job experience required before appointment, and successful student teaching. Dual licensure preferred but not required.

Assignments: Special education teachers work by division assignment and may be moved between buildings and/or programs based on student needs, location of certain programs, student count(s), and applicable licensure. The itinerant teacher for deaf or hard of hearing students travels to the students' assigned schools to provide direct and/or consultative special education services relating to hearing loss. Services for infants may be provided in the infants' homes or child care settings.

GENERAL CURRICULUM SPECIAL EDUCATION

PRIMARY FUNCTION

To provide effective instruction and positive behavioral supports that are beneficial for implementation with all students with disabilities enabling them to make progress toward educational goals established with the student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP).  The special educator also demonstrates the ability to provide positive behavioral support to students in a group and in an individual setting.  Demonstrates an understanding of the federal, state, and local mandates governing the determination and delivery of special education services. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direction of the school principal, the special education teacher plans and provides appropriate learning experiences for students with disabilities in a variety of educational settings. The person in this position is responsible for creating a flexible program and learning environment that provides specialized instruction for students with disabilities, such that the students benefit from the general education curriculum to the greatest extent possible when supported with supplemental aides, accommodations, and other needed supports.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Collegiate Professional Certificate with a Special Education endorsement for General Curriculum.
2. Two years of experience as a special education teacher is preferred.
3. Knowledge of medical aspects of students with disabilities and their implications for instruction.
4. Knowledge of resources and techniques needed to integrate special education students into the least restrictive environment.

 ESSENTIAL TASKS

(These are intended as generalizations of the various work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.)

1. Employ special educational strategies and techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory and perceptual motor skills, language, cognition, and
2. Instruct students in academic subjects using a variety of techniques such as phonetics, multi-sensory learning, and repetition to reinforce learning and to meet students' varying needs and interests.
3. Teach socially  acceptable  behavior,  as  determined  by  the  students'  individualized  education programs (IEPs) by employing techniques in an overall positive behavioral support
4. Modify the general education curriculum for students with disabilities based on a variety of instructional techniques and technologies.
5. Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining a safe environment, conducive to learning for all
6. Meet with parents to discuss their children's progress and to determine priorities for their children and their individualized educational
7. Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, and other professionals to develop individualized education programs (IEPs) designed to promote students' educational, physical, and social/emotional
8. Maintain accurate and complete student records and prepare reports on children and activities, as required by laws, district policies, and administrative
9. Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to
10. Develop plans for effective communication, monitoring, and follow-up of students in inclusive classroom
11. Provide crisis/behavior intervention, as needed, for students.
12. Assist in the collection of data for providing appropriate classroom interventions.
13. Implements effective instructional strategies that result in acceptable, measurable, and appropriate student academic progress.
14. To assist in screening, evaluating, and recommending placements of students in the division’s Special Education program.
15. To collaboratively develop short and long-range goals for the student’s individualized education program (IEP).
16. To work cooperatively with classroom teachers who have special education students in regular classes by interpreting the abilities and disabilities of these students and assisting students with regular class assignments.
17. To effectively supervise and manage paraprofessional staff assigned to individual students or the special education program.
18. To develop and implement specific educational plans for those students whose need for additional instructional support cannot be met within the regular classroom setting.
19. Maintain professional competence by participating in staff development activities, curriculum development meetings, and other professional opportunities and show evidence of continuing professional growth.
20. To perform other duties as assigned by the principal.

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.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

200-day contract.  Salary and work year to be established by the Board.

EVALUATION 

Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with School Board policy and administrative regulations on evaluation of administrative personnel.

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. Duties performed typically in school settings to include classrooms, gyms, cafeteria, auditorium, and recreational areas. While performing this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hand, and talk or hear; light lifting up to 40 pounds and other limited physical activities are required. Movement of students by wheelchairs and other mechanical devices may be required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS: 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 of this job. Daily personal and close contact with students to provide classroom management and learning environment support is required. Regular contact with other staff members and parents is required. ADA: The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. The vision-impaired teacher will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the Principal or appropriate administrator. Waynesboro Public Schools reserves the right to update, revise or change this job description and related duties at any time.

Salary : $50,327 - $72,465