This Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for the 2021-2022 school year will support student's and families from birth through 21 in multiple school districts across Baker, Malheur and Grant Counties. Supports include direct instruction, consultation to staff and support with amplification devices and tools required to access education while acting as a member of the IFSP/IEP team for each child. Travel and occassional overnight stays will occur with this position.

SUMMARY:

The Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing provides assessment, consultation, technical assistance and/or direct instruction for children and students who are deaf or hard of hearing and who are eligible for IMESD Regional Services, as well as to their families and School Districts. 

KNOWLEDGE:

QUALIFICATIONS:

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each responsibility and essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
• An individual will hold a valid driver license and have reliable, insured transportation.

EDUCATION /LICENSURE/ EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent
• Oregon TSPC teaching license with a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Endorsement
• Minimum of 3 (three) years of related experience and/or training; prior teaching experience and/or general education license preferred
• Experience working with deaf and hard of hearing children (birth through 21) and their families, as well as a prior general education and/or early intervention experience

SKILLS:

• Ability to work well with others: focuses on resolving conflict, maintains confidentiality, listens to others without interrupting, keeps emotions under control, remains open to others’ ideas and contributes to building a positive team spirit
• Ability to work independently and as a part of a team: focuses on resolving conflict, maintains confidentiality, listens to others without interrupting, keeps emotions under control, remains open to others’ ideas and contributes to building a positive team spirit
• Must be fluent in sign language: ability to effectively present information and to respond to questions, inquiries or complaints from parents, administrators, students, school staff, regulatory agencies and the general public
• Ability to communicate fluently in English, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures and governmental regulations
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, procedure manuals, speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed styles and formats
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule formats
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions
• Possesses general knowledge of computer usage and has the ability to use word processing, database and multimedia software, email and the internet
• Ability to maintain the integrity of confidential information relating to agency records and data, students, student families, colleagues, or district patrons; uses or relays personal and agency information only in the course of performing assigned responsibilities and in the best interest of the individuals involved
• Exhibits cultural competency and sensitivity with the ability to communicate effectively with all cultural groups

RESPONSIBILITIES and ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

Meets the standards of Competent and Ethical Performance as outlined in Oregon Administrative Rules (ORS 584-020-000 to 584-020-0045.  The following are the Responsibilities and Essential Functions of teacher duties; however, any one position may not cover all responsibilities and essential functions and may not cover all duties an employee is expected to perform.

Planning and Preparation:

1. Plans, organizes and conducts appropriate conferences with district staff, agencies, IMESD Special Programs staff and parents, in order to carry out program objectives
2. Participates as a member of IFSP and IEP teams
3. Prepares and utilizes materials and equipment to effectively meet individual student learning needs
4. Provides information and recommendations to classroom teachers and paraprofessionals to maximize inclusion of students with severe disabilities to effectively meet individual student learning needs
5. Develops appropriate goals and objectives for each student
6. Designs materials to supplement curriculum
7. Coordinates with audiologists for audiological support
8. Identifies community resources to help meet student and family needs
9. Troubleshoots HATS (Hearing Assistive Technology Systems)
10. Develops and maintains caseload schedule in assigned districts
11. Maintains individual student records to meet program, IMESD, state and federal requirements

Implementation:

1. Completes contact logs for each student on a monthly basis
2. Assists with the development and implementation of appropriate IFSPs/IEPs for eligible children and deaf and hard of hearing students
3. Completes all federal and state mandated forms for each student
4. Uses appropriate curriculums to facilitate student learning
5. Facilitates HATS (Hearing Assistance Technology Systems) use, maintenance, repair and replacement
6. Teaches students in one-to-one situations
7. Participates collaboratively on a team to develop an appropriate IFSP/IEP
8. Identifies students’ needs and makes recommendations on appropriate instructional and program changes and/or other supports to address student needs
9. Writes, coordinates and implements IFSPs and IEPs
10. Develops and implements alternative teaching strategies for students with additional learning needs
11. Provides consultation to district staff, community agencies, families, and community partners
12. Implements assistive technology as appropriate

Assessment and Use of Assessment Information:

1. Uses appropriate testing materials to evaluate the educational impact of students’ hearing loss and goal progress
2. Assists with the administration of appropriate assessments to evaluate child or student behavior and educational progress
3. As a member of an IFSP/IEP team, assimilates a variety of assessment data to provide a complete picture of student eligibility and programming needs
4. Conducts evaluations to determine educational impact for deaf and hard of hearing eligibility

Communication:

1. Effectively communicates assessment data and recommendations in a variety of ways, including report writing
2. Communicates clearly and effectively in a variety of situations, including difficult ones, with agency staff, district staff, service providers, families, and the public
3. Communicates regularly with parents, classroom teachers, principals, staff and case managers regarding students’ needs and goal progress

Professional Leadership and Conduct:

1. Exercises tact, diplomacy, independent judgment and aptitude for handling and processing privileged information with professional integrity
2. Identifies professional strengths and limitations and sets and meets personal performance goals
3. Stays up to date and knowledgeable on state and local initiatives
4. Works effectively as a team with other specialists (i.e. audiologist to ensure optimal student audition)
5. Creates a positive work environment by:
   1. Tolerating others’ points of view
   2. Soliciting input from others
   3. Resolving conflict at the lowest level possible
   4. Responding effectively to crisis situations
   5. Demonstrating sensitivity to issues related to gender, sexual identity or orientation, social and economic status, ethnicity, race, language and religion
6. Follows IMESD procedures, especially as outlined in the Staff Handbook, and assists other staff to do the same
7. Identifies students’ needs and makes recommendations on appropriate instructional and program changes and/or other supports to address student needs
8. Presents at in-services and workshops on topics related to working with students or staff who are deaf or hard of hearing
9. Remains knowledgeable of state and federal special education requirements
10. Keeps current on practices for working with deaf and hard of hearing students and on current technology available to aid hearing and communication ability
11. Demonstrates leadership in guiding the IFSP/IEP team in determining eligibility for services

Other Duties:

1. Performs other reasonable duties that from time to time may be assigned to meet the usual and unusual demands placed on the organization

EFFORT:

Mental: 

• Makes decisions, assesses risk, performs complex work and proceeds with insufficient information
  • Reviews and integrates ongoing shifts in priority and demands in relation to diversified functions and interests

Work Place:

• Performs multiple tasks simultaneously
• Complies with IMESD Performance Standards
• Works effectively with and responds to people from diverse cultures or backgrounds
• Maintains emotional control under stress
• Demonstrates professionalism and appropriate judgment in behavior and speech; dresses in a neat, clean, and appropriate professional manner for the assignment and work setting
• Performs duties in a courteous and efficient manner that builds the confidence of staff, students and the public being served by IMESD
• Confers regularly with immediate supervisor
• Develops job skills necessary to meet changes in the position
• Attends and actively participates in specialist meetings, special education meetings, staff meetings and workshops
• Participates in professional growth activities and stays current on IDEA, ESSA 2015, local and state regulations
• Keeps abreast of current research and best practices in special education
• Uses and maintains IMESD and school district property, equipment and materials appropriately
• Maintains the integrity of confidential information relating to agency records and data, students, families, employee information and performance
• Has regular and punctual attendance at work and work activities: is punctual in meeting deadlines, attending meetings, following schedules, responds to management directions, and solicits feedback to improve performance
• The person in this position is required to travel to and from school locations in the IMESD and Regional Programs service areas, and may be required to travel on overnight assignment

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• This position involves working at IMESD campuses and/or Districts in the IMESD and Regional Programs service areas.
• This position involves working inside and outside of buildings. Work is predominately inside, however, outside work may occur in all weather conditions.
• The person in this position could be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials or illnesses during the course of his/her duties.
• The person in this position may be exposed to aggressive student behaviors including biting, hitting, kicking, throwing of objects and verbal threats.
• This position is a full time, 190-day, ten-month position. The typical workweek is M-F, 8 hours per day.  There will be occasional prolonged and/or irregular hours.
• Any changes in contract days will be stipulated in each individual contract. Salary and benefits to be established by the IMESD Licensed Association in accordance with the negotiated agreement with the IMESD Board of Directors. Schedule and assignments to be established by Directors and /or Assistant Superintendent.