The WISD's Mission is to educate, serve, and advocate with students, families, schools and the community. We disrupt racial inequities, build just educational systems, and expand access for all learners. We value human potential while striving to support current and future generations of Washtenaw County to enrich as many lives as we possibly can.

The WISD’s Vision is to be a leader in empowering, facilitating, and delivering high-quality, boundary-spanning, educational system that educates all children through an equitable, inclusive, and holistic approach.

SUMMARY:

The Teacher Consultant evaluates, plans, and implements services for students who are deaf and hard of hearing within the education/community setting. The Teacher Consultant works with and instructs classroom staff, related services staff, and parents in the implementation of programming. This position may include some classroom teaching responsibilities (DHH classroom).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Demonstrates a strong commitment to equity, social justice, and inclusion in all practices and position responsibilities.
Demonstrates the ability to examine how his/her/their position (directly or indirectly) impacts educational inequities in student achievement outcomes.
Engages in reflection and ongoing learning and development on critical concepts and terms identified in the Washtenaw ISD Educational Equity Policy including concepts such as cultural proficiency, racial equity, and systemic and structural inequities.
Demonstrate operational knowledge of Internet and Web-related technologies.
Demonstrates skills and comfort using the latest instructional online tools and technology.
Consults with case coordinator providing a supportive and interpretive liaison service among parents, school personnel and students.
Provides materials and consultant services to the parents and educational staff so they may better understand and appreciate the nature and degree of hearing loss.
Provides specialized instruction in areas where necessary.
Provides the use of specialized auditory equipment where need is indicated. Supports, educates and monitors the use of specialized auditory equipment.
Provides parents with information to assist them in helping their child adjust to his/her hearing loss; helps secure annual otological and audiological evaluations and provides information regarding financial aid from public and private agencies.
Attends and participates in IFSP, IEPT, Services plans and Section 504 meetings for students as appropriate.
Assists in evaluating supports for students.
Collaborates with building administration, instructional staff, medical staff and other agencies to integrate students into the school and/or community, with emphasis on involving families, adapting curriculum, facilitating natural supports and focusing instruction on long-term outcomes.
Maintains contact with parents of students.
Works collaboratively with the team and summarizes student progress toward achievement of IEP goals/objectives.
Develops, maintains and adapts instructional material.
Uses appropriate technologies to accomplish instructional objectives.
Participates in building level activities, staff meetings, student/staff meetings, program meetings, in-service activities and other meetings as determined necessary.
Participates in District level staff meetings, in-service activities, staff development/special programs, school improvement teams and planning committees as appropriate to the assignment.
Performs billing functions for Medicaid reimbursement where applicable.
Works cooperatively and communicates with District and constituent district staff, students and parents/guardians.
Regularly documents student progress using assessment tools, monitoring through observations/evaluation and/or collecting data; utilizes student progress data to improve instruction.
Adheres to District health and safety rules, policies, and procedures.
Supports WISD vision and mission to enhance achievement for all students.
Supports a team-based approach to problem solving.
Provides direct service to students with disabilities. Activities may include academic tutoring to ensure success in regular classroom setting; provision of auditory training and language concepts to those students who would benefit; teaching of lip-reading skills to those students who would benefit; repairing and using hearing aids.
Provides consultation to general education teachers who have students with disabilities in their classrooms. Activities may include preferential seating for students; explanation of extent of hearing loss and limitations of the students; functional tips on how to teach a child who lip-reads or has a hearing aid; suggestions for modification of curriculum/assignment (i.e., extra time to complete assignments).
Develops, maintains and adapts instructional material.
Maintains accurate attendance records and appropriate reports.
Maintains regular predictable attendance.
PERFORMS OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

N/A

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Alternative requirements that may be appropriate and acceptable to the Board of Education may be considered. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Master’s degree with certification in one or more areas of special education, including SL-Deaf and Hard of Hearing - required.
Minimum of three years of satisfactory teaching experience, not less than two years of which was in teaching in a special education program.
Experience with computer instruction and technology - preferred.
Experience with consulting in a general education setting.
Knowledge of deaf culture and the diverse needs of D/HH students and their families.
Extensive experience with and knowledge of behavior management principles.
Extensive experience with and knowledge of curriculum adaptations.
Knowledge of special equipment and its use for students with hearing loss.
Holds a philosophical position that is aligned with the WISD mission of support in the least restrictive environment.
Demonstrated record of collaborative teamwork.
Possesses the skills and desire to work in a collaborative team with others.
Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the teacher consultant’s role in a team environment.
Auditory/Oral experience - preferred.
ASL knowledge or skills - preferred.
Experience in bilingual/bicultural classrooms.
Experience working in a virtual online instructional setting.
Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and in compliance with the law.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Valid Michigan Teacher's Certificate with SL-Deaf and Hard of Hearing endorsement - required.
TC approval (or eligibility) from the State of Michigan – required.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Demonstrates ability to orient parents, school staff and administrators to the unique needs of students with hearing loss.
Demonstrates ability to design and implement educational programs appropriate for students with hearing loss.
Demonstrates ability to work with preschool, elementary and secondary students.
Demonstrates ability to explain and demonstrate appropriate teaching techniques.
Demonstrates effective communication skills with D/HH students and families.
Demonstrates ability to read, analyze and interpret information including periodicals and professional journals.
Demonstrates ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of educators, students and the general public.
Demonstrates ability to write lesson plans, IEP’s and other related correspondence.
Demonstrates ability to direct the activities of others to execute student IEP goals.

TECHNICAL SKILLS:

Demonstrates ability to integrate technology into the everyday workflow as necessary.
Demonstrates ability to use a personal computer (PC) or MAC in a networked environment to utilize the Internet and other electronic communication mechanisms.
Demonstrates ability to utilize District technology and work to maintain proficiency, as required skill sets change with technology and/or the needs of the District.
Demonstrates ability to use computer technology for research, data management, communications and other instruction.
Demonstrates ability to use online instructional tools and technology.
Demonstrates a working knowledge of productivity applications such as Microsoft Office (word processing, spreadsheets, database and presentation software) - required.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Demonstrates ability to apply the concepts of basic math, algebra and geometry consistent with the duties of this position.

REASONING ABILITY:

Demonstrates a high proficiency in subject areas of reasoning, problem solving, organizational dynamics and emotional intelligence.
Demonstrates ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Demonstrates ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

Demonstrates ability to build rapport with others and to serve diverse publics.
Demonstrates ability to take initiative; work well with others as a collaborative team member and exhibit good communication skills.
Demonstrates ability to work effectively and collaboratively with other departments, agencies and individuals.
Demonstrates ability to work creatively and skillfully with students.
Demonstrates ability to demonstrate initiative and understanding in working with students, staff and parents/guardians.
Demonstrates ability to work in various environments including student’s homes when appropriate.
Demonstrates ability to consult effectively with teachers, parents, administrators and other professionals.
Demonstrates flexibility in thinking and problem solving; open minded and respectful to varying views and philosophies.
Demonstrates ability to conduct parent consultations and work with diverse populations within the community.

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 stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds such as books and teaching material or when assisting in student interventions. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distant vision and the ability to adjust focus. The ability to travel to other buildings is required. The position requires the individual to sometimes work irregular or extended work hours and meet multiple demands from several people.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADAPTABILITY:

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 quite to loud depending upon the activity in the particular part of the day. The employee is frequently required to interact with the public and other staff. The employee is directly responsible for the safety and well-being of students. The employee is exposed to infections at a greater risk than the average person. Occasionally the employee may be required to be outdoors for a short period of time, and therefore subject to varying weather conditions, for purposes of accomplishing the essential functions of this job.

FUNCTIONS OF POSITION DESCRIPTION:

This position description has been prepared to define the general duties of the position, provide examples of work and to detail the required knowledge, skills and ability as well as the acceptable experience and training for the position. The description is not intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the duties of employees under supervision. The WISD retains and reserves any and all rights to change, modify, amend, add to or delete from any portion of this description in its sole judgment. This position description is not a contract for employment.

The WISD is an equal opportunity employer, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodation with the employer.

TERMS:

This position is subject to terms, conditions, and calendar of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the District and Unit II AFT Local 3760. Starting salary ranging (dependent upon comparable experience) $53,316 - $107,494.

Washtenaw Intermediate School District is a drug-free workplace.

It is the policy and commitment of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, height, weight, familial status, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation or any legally protected characteristic, in its educational programs, activities, admissions, or employment policies in accordance with Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, executive order 11246 as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and all other pertinent state and Federal regulations.

Teacher Consultant - Deaf and Hard of Hearing