Centralia-Teacher of the Deaf 2024-25

Job Summary: This position is responsible for developing and providing specialized, research-based instruction to meet the unique needs of students who are deaf or hard of hearing. The Teacher of the Deaf (TOD) is also responsible for evaluating and assessing student progress again instructional objectives. The TOD may have students in the age range of 3-21years who may have a hearing impairment or additional identified disabilities.    

Required Qualifications:

• Valid Washington State Educational Staff Associate Certificate with endorsement for teaching deaf or hard of hearing students
• Possession of specific content knowledge, training, or job experience working with students in the deaf or hard of hearing culture
• Ability to assist and guide school staff in observing, describing, and referring suspected and identified hearing impairments
• Conducts testing, interpret results, and leads the multi-disciplinary team in the identification of special education students with hearing impairments
• Working knowledge of rules, regulations, and laws dealing with special education
• Ability to work cooperatively with staff, families, administration, and support personnel
• Willingness to learn curriculum, education codes, and District policies
• Competency in assessment, data gathering, and interpreting techniques; use and/or willingness to learn technology and computerized reporting systems
• Successful experience establishing and carrying out behavior interventions systems
• Current knowledge of federal and state laws, rules, and regulation governing the education of children qualified for special education
• Working knowledge of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) best practices
• Willingness to use district adopted curriculum and assessments
• Ability to communicate effectively, possess awareness (for self and others), listen actively, be patient, incorporate humor/lightheartedness into work, be empathic, possess a growth mindset, and be customer-service oriented
• Ability to support the District’s vision, mission, goals, and Culture including the belief that all students can succeed
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude
• Familiarity with racial equity and inclusion frameworks
• Successful experience working with self-direction and a high degree of collaboration 
• Ability to act in an ethical and confidential manner in all aspects of employment 
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations
• Possession of organizational skills and flexibility to respond to changing student needs
• Ability to function in a calm, efficient, courteous manner under stress and to exercise careful judgment, confidentiality and tact in the performance of duties

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience working with deaf or hard of hearing students in the Pre-K-12 school system
• Ability to speak Spanish
• Experience working with students from diverse backgrounds

Essential Functions:

• Provides direct services and intervention for special needs students as required for their success including proactive strategies such as social skills education, and individual student interventions
• Provides direction, supervision, and professional development of paraprofessionals or sign language interpreters 
• Provides training/in-service on strategies for working with students with behavior problems
• Assumes responsibility for coordinating and collaborating with District, staff, and outside agencies
• Participates in or facilitates school based Multi-disciplinary Team/Group of Qualified Professionals meetings
• Keeps abreast of special education pedagogy and apply this research to special education programs
• Articulates special education visions and goals to regular education and special education staff
• Assists in developing and implementing Childfind activities
• Demonstrates effective conflict resolution and problem-solving skills
• Directly assists classroom teachers with the ongoing management of special needs students within their classrooms
• Serve as a member of the Student Support management team, IEP Teams, etc. as pertinent to the job
• Conduct parent and/or parent-student conferences set up to interpret student assessment results
• Participates in curriculum development and implementation of special education services
• Interprets hearing/audiological medical reports as they relate to educational environments and consult with diagnosticians, classroom teachers, students, and families concerning appropriate evaluations, modification, and test administration
• Provides a thorough assessment, referrals, individualized programs, and diagnosis of speech, voice, hearing, and language impairments
• Assesses, motivates, redirects, and interacts with students in a positive, productive manner
• Assumes primary responsibility for requisitioning and maintaining needed equipment and supplies
• Prepares and submits the necessary documentation for Medical Recovery
• Responds to inquiries from a variety of sources (e.g. other teachers, parents, administrators, etc.) around aspects of special education services
• Stays current on policies and laws related to special education
• Completes all work and documentation as required by law or prescribed by the Executive Director of Special Services, including but not limited to IEPs, assessment documents, and progress reporting 
• Attends staff and other professional meetings as appropriate or directed
• Uses and integrate technology for communication and instruction
• Other duties as assigned

Salary:  $58,524.50 - $119,550.80, depending on experience and qualifications

Work schedule: 0.2 FTE to1.0 FTE (186 days per school year)

Benefits: 12 Sick leave and 3 personal leave days; health benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term disability insurance through SEBB; State retirement through DRS; other fringe benefits as allowed under the Centralia Education Association Collective Bargaining Agreement.