Preschool Teacher - Hearing Impaired

Wake County Public School System; Cary (NC); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Wake County Public School System is seeking a Hearing Impaired Preschool Teacher to provide instruction and support to early childhood students eligible for deaf/hard of hearing services. This role requires extensive knowledge of early childhood curriculum and the ability to manage individual education plans (IEPs) to ensure student success.

The ideal candidate will have a background in education of the Deaf, strong organizational and communication skills, and a commitment to fostering an inclusive environment. This position offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on students' learning and development.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of early childhood curriculum and instructional practices.
• Ability to assess and teach language development.
• Experience supporting Deaf and Hard of Hearing students.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct instruction according to students' IEPs.
• Develop and implement lesson plans for early childhood education.
• Monitor and evaluate student outcomes.

Skills

Knowledge of early childhood curriculum

Expertise in language development assessment

Understanding of hearing loss impacts

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Effective communication skills

Organizational skills

Motivational abilities

Education

Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education

Bachelor’s degree in education of the Deaf

Job description

Overview

POSITION TITLE (Oracle title)

TEACHER

WORKING TITLE

Hearing Impaired Preschool Teacher

SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT

Academics

LOCATION

School Site

PAY GRADE

Classroom Teacher

FLSA STATUS

Exempt

ELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

Yes

WORK WEEK SCHEDULE

Monday-Friday (occasional evenings and weekends)

POSITION PURPOSE

Provides direct instruction and support to early childhood students, eligible for deaf/hard of hearing services, according to the individual education plan (IEP). Manages a caseload of early childhood students (BK). Plans and provides for appropriate early childhood learning experiences that helps each child appreciate and maximize his or her capabilities while promoting appropriate social, emotional, cognitive, language, and motor skills. Provides an atmosphere and environment conducive to intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development to ensure success for every student. Monitors and evaluates student outcomes. Develops, selects, and modifies instructional plans and materials to meet the individualized needs of students. Maintains appropriate records and follows required procedures and practices, as well as monitoring the appropriate use and care of equipment, materials, and facilities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Extensive knowledge of early childhood curriculum and techniques for integrating curriculum, policies, and effective classroom instructional practices;
• Extensive knowledge of how to assess and teach language development to include grammar, vocabulary, phonemic awareness, and audition skills;
• Extensive understanding of the process of typical language development;
• Considerable knowledge of audiograms and the impact of hearing loss on auditory, language, and literacy development;
• Considerable knowledge of various amplification systems;
• Considerable knowledge of, and experience in, conducting formal and informal assessments used to evaluate the development of vocabulary, language, and audition skills for students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing;
• Considerable knowledge of Microsoft Office, specifically, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Google Apps;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form using a variety of communication techniques and tools to ensure the appropriate flow of information, collaborative efforts, and feedback;
• Ability to interpret formal and informal assessments (in the areas of vocabulary development, language development, and auditory development) and use the data in developing IEPs, including goals and objectives, accommodations/modifications, and services;
• Ability to motivate and inspire students;
• Ability to maintain a clean and orderly environment;
• Ability to maintain order and discipline in a classroom and in other school environments;
• Ability to maintain files and records;
• Effective time management and organizational skills;
• Strategic problem-solving skills, including the use of multiple data points;
• Ability to provide instruction that reflects multiple perspectives and multicultural education;
• Ability to constantly monitor the safety and well‑being of students, particularly when a student is participating in an inclusive activity;
• Ability to maintain files and records;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school system staff, staff members of external funding agencies, and the community.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood from a regionally accredited college or university;
• Bachelor’s degree in education of the Deaf from an accredited college or university;
• Experience supporting teachers and Deaf and Hard of Hearing students (with Special Education eligibility in one or more areas) in the general education setting, resource setting, and/or separate setting;
• Experience working with young children and families.

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

• Hold or be qualified to hold a North Carolina Professional Educator’s License in Birth to Kindergarten;
• Hold or be qualified to hold a North Carolina Professional Educator’s License in Deaf Education (K-12);
• Must hold and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator’s license according to the State of NC requirements.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in early childhood or special education;
• Master’s degree in education of the Deaf;
• Experience working with young children and families;
• Experience teaching in a preschool classroom at an elementary school;
• Experience teaching in culturally and economically diverse environments;
• Current certification in CPR and First Aid.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The teacher is required to follow all Board policies and procedures and to comply with the instructions and directives of their supervisor(s). In addition, the teacher will be expected to follow the following duties and responsibilities in accordance with the Teacher Evaluation Standards and Elements:

• Develops and implements developmentally appropriate lesson plans aligned with the Creative Curriculum;
• Maintains professional rapport and communicates effectively (orally and in writing) with district personnel, school staff, students, and parents;
• Provides direct instructional services to early childhood students (BK) according to the student’s IEP in the least restrictive environment;
• Monitors student behavior and teaches students social, emotional, and behavioral skills;
• Employs a variety of teaching methods, strategies, accommodations, and modifications to meet student needs; implements these methods and adapts and/or develops materials;
• Creates an organizational system to hold student information (contact information, audiograms, IEPs, lesson plans, raw data, etc.)
• Collects data for progress monitoring while using this information to drive instruction;
• Performs listening checks of various types of hearing aids, cochlear implants, Digital Modulation Systems (DMS), and Frequency Modulation Systems (FMS), as needed;
• Works with school audiologists and school staff to ensure students with hearing loss have consistent auditory access within the school environment;
• Provides in‑service training that focuses on amplification and students’ accommodations for school personnel;
• Assesses students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and collaborates with the IEP team regarding Special Education decisions;
• Adheres to deadlines (IEP documents, progress reports, etc.);
• Stays abreast of current practices related to Education of the Deaf and Early Childhood;
• Maintains records on each child indicating strengths, areas needing improvement, action plans, and progress monitoring. Conducts ongoing assessment of all children and enters data into Creative Curriculum Teaching Strategies Gold (TSG);
• Builds family partnerships by providing systems of regular communication and engagement opportunities;
• Participates in yearly professional development opportunities;
• Stays abreast and complies with NC Child Care Licensing laws and regulations;
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This position operates in an office and childcare setting. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, scanners, and copiers. The position, at times, must be able to come into direct contact with school system staff, students, parents, and the community. Work is considered light physical work, requiring the exertion of up to ten pounds of force.

EFFECTIVE DATE 10/2023

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this position. They are not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required by the employees assigned to this position. This description may be revised by HR and approved at any time.