Job Description

Title:   TEACHER OF THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING - SPECIAL EDUCATION

Position Type: Exempt

Primary Function:

Provides a program of specialized instruction and/or services for students who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH)

Minimum Qualifications:

• Possess a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in education or a related field
• Hold or be eligible for a Virginia Collegiate Professional License or Postgraduate Professional License with appropriate endorsement in Special Education or Special Education Deaf and Hard of Hearing Pre-k –12 (preferred)
• Three (3) years successful teaching experience working with a wide range of age groups and disabilities preferred
• Skilled in the language and vocabulary of academics as well as in abstract thinking and have a working knowledge of the developmental changes in students in k-12
• Ability to travel to more than one work location in the course of the day if assigned to an itinerant position.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Familiarity with communication options for individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing (ie; ASL, Bilingual-Bimodal, Cued Speech/Cued Language, Listening and Spoken Language, Manually Coded English, and Total Communication).
• Knowledge of the use of amplification equipment (hearing aids, FM/sound field systems, cochlear implants, etc.)
• Knowledge of auditory training and speech reading practices
• Knowledge of providing support across educational environments and systems of service to DHH students
• Thorough understanding of deaf culture
• Ability to maintain good working relationships with students who are deaf or hard of hearing and staff
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to develop and maintain required records and written reports
• Possess high moral standards and integrity
• Ability to use computer software programs and web-based applications
• Ability to work with students that have a variety of disability-related needs

Performance Responsibilities:

• Perform tasks assigned to all teachers (see Teacher Job Description)
• Serve as a member of Child Study, Eligibility, IEP and Section 504 Committees
• Assisting in determining if the student’s needs can be best met in Special Education under IDEA regulations, or under the provisions of a 504 plan under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
• Communicates regularly with parents or guardians to discuss student progress
• Inservice classroom teachers, school nurses, and necessary school staff, on using hearing assistance technology
• Collaborate with educational and/or private audiologists to support hearing assistive technology recommendations, equipment repairs, replacements, and purchases that will provide the student with auditory access in the school setting
• Interpret audiological information from audiologists, physicians, and school nurses
• Collaborate with school staff and parents to develop Individualized Educational Programs (IEP) for students
• Develop lesson plans and instructional materials to provide individualized and small group instruction to adapt the curriculum to the needs of student with disabilities
• Provide instruction and or support to DHH students in the development and maintenance of skills specified in the student’s IEP
• Develop transition plans
• Conduct assessments, testing and diagnostic examinations designed for deaf and hard of hearing students in accordance to established procedures
• Evaluate student’s developmental abilities in language, auditory skills, compensatory strategies, accessing auditory information across settings, communication skills, and social language
• Interpret assessment results and facilitate discussions about how the type and severity of hearing loss can impact the student’s ability for language acquisition, social and emotional development, literacy skill development, and make recommendations for modifications and accommodations that can help mitigate barrier
• Evaluate students’ progress through data collection; maintain appropriate records; prepare progress reports according to guidelines
• Provide direct instruction in language development to include vocabulary development, phonics acquisition, auditory skill development, use and care of amplification equipment, self-advocacy skills and communication repair strategies
• Provide in-service/training to students and staff regarding hearing loss and its implications along with the use of amplification equipment and assistive technology
• Assisting teams in working with educational interpreters for assessment purposes, class arrangement, and roles and responsibilities of the interpreter
• Provide families with information about hearing loss, communication options, implications of hearing loss on language, literacy and social development and educate them on the various roles of professionals (educational audiologist, clinical audiologist, SLP, TODHH, interpreters etc)
• Regularly monitor child’s acquisition of language (spoken and/or sign) relative to hearing, age and typical language development expectations
• Perform other duties as assigned

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements:

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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Must have the ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time; exhibit manual dexterity to dial a telephone, to enter data into a computer; to hear and understand speech at normal classroom levels, outdoors and on the telephone; speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly in normal classrooms, outdoors and on the telephone; physical agility to lift up to 25 pounds; and to bend, to stoop, to sit on the floor, to climb stairs, to walk and to reach overhead.

Reports to:

Director of Special Education/Associate Director of Special Education

Terms of Employment:

200 days per year. Additional days may be contracted for specific job assignments. Salary according to School Board Pay Plan.

Evaluation:

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

5/6/2025