Deaf and Hard of Hearing Teacher

Under the general directions of the Executive Director, the DHOH Teacher plans and facilitates children’s speech, language, listening, self-advocacy, academic and social skills development with an emphasis on maximizing listening and spoken language skill development.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Plans academic curricula based on the California Content Standards and/or plans thematic units appropriate to California early childhood learning standards. Modifies lessons or techniques according to the individual children's responses and needs.
• Maximizes each child's auditory skills in daily activities
• Establishes and manages classroom routines and behavior management programs for individual children
• Evaluates and documents children's cognitive, motor and social emotional development
• Evaluates each child's present level of speech production and speech reception using formal and informal materials in collaboration with speech language pathologist.
• Evaluates existing world knowledge prior to teaching new concepts. Ensures that activities provide each child with the opportunity to learn about their world at their current level of functioning
• Educates parents regarding their child's overall development
• Plans daily activities that are dependent on each child's present level of performance in the areas of speech production, speech reception, audition, cognition, communication and social development
• Selects language targets for each child with support from the speech language pathologist
• Plans daily activities that will elicit the use of selected language targets.
• Seeks information needed to maintain and facilitate optimal functioning of sensory devices such as cochlear implants, hearing aids and FM systems.
• Organizes and participates in school-wide and grade-level activities and committees as appropriate.
• Working as part of a multidisciplinary team and attending relevant staff meetings, in-service days and parent education events.
• Report writing and data collection to monitor progress and update student database.
• Attends IEP / IFSP meetings to represent CCHAT and report on the child’s progress.
• Integrate and synthesize test results, behavioral observation gained from all sources to develop a diagnostic impression and make proper recommendations.
• Proficiency and high comfort level using iPads and new technologies as well as an intermediate skill level in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and Power Point.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Opportunities for tele-therapy may exist. Participate in hearing aid evaluations and implant programming when co-treating with audiologist.
• Document sessions and progress thoroughly to be in full compliance with pertinent local, state and national laws.
• Required completion of continuing education as required by the AG Bell Academy.
• Adhere to the codes of conduct set forth by CCHAT, the California Commission onTeacher Credentialing and the AG Bell Academy
• Keeps abreast of developments in the field and acts as a resource for other CCHAT personnel.•
• Performs such tasks and assumes such additional responsibilities as may be assigned by the Director of the CCHAT Center Sacramento.

Management Skills:

• Comply with administrative and policy requirements including reports, statistics and requests.
• Instructional aide supervision

Interaction Skills:

• Demonstrate effective communication skills taking into consideration the communication needs as well as the cultural values of the child, family, caregivers, significant other and other professionals.
• Provide counseling and support of guidance regarding the child’s communication disorder to family, caregivers and significant others.

Professional Activities:

• Displays evidence of community services through participation in screenings, health fairs, school in-services, public education and lectures when schedule allows it.
• Plan and implement informational presentations at professional meetings.
• Participate in research studies involving speech and language development in children using amplification devices or cochlear implants.
• Other duties as assigned

Education Requirements:

• Masters Degree in Special Education
• Listening and spoken language certification from the Alexander Graham Bell Academy / LSLS Cert. AVT ED
• Education Specialist Credential from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Bilingual Spanish-English preferred
• A professional, but family focused approach with demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with a diverse range of people as well as have a very good rapport with children.
• Possesses a strong interest and highly values the role of parent education in therapy.
• Experience in working flexibly within a variety of service delivery models and in a multi-disciplinary environment.
• Strong report writing and data collection skills with a commitment to evidence-based practice principles.
• Proficient and comfortable in using iPad and new technologies as well as an intermediate skill level in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and Power Point.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Highly motivated with sound interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work effectively in a team or independently.
• Aural rehabilitation experience preferred
• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for children birth through age ten (10). Awareness of developmental milestones in speech, language, audition, gross and fine motor, self-help skills and play / socialization.

The minimum requirements are as follows:

• Master’s degree required
• Minimum one (1) year of relevant work experience required
• Able to convey information effectively
• Able to interact with a variety of audiences
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Any appropriate combination of relevant education, experience and / or certifications may be considered
• Regular attendance is required

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.

• Ability to work for extended periods of time in a sitting or standing position
• Ability to kneel and lift up to 35 pounds
• Ability to stand and bend over student desk for long periods of time
• Ability to write using a pen or computer for long periods of time

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Office / classroom environment with moderate noise