Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Eligibility Application

The School District of Philadelphia; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The School District of Philadelphia is seeking a Teacher, Special Education, Deaf/Hard of Hearing to provide specialized services to students with hearing loss. You will implement the adopted curriculum with fidelity while differentiating instruction to meet linguistic and audiological needs, delivering language development, auditory training, and multimodal communication access.

You will collaborate with families and a broader professional team, participate in professional development, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Possession of a valid Pennsylvania Certificate in Special Education for Deaf/Hard of Hearing or ability to obtain an emergency permit while working toward full instructional certification.

Responsibilities

• Develops individualized instructional approaches based on each student’s history, audiological data, and communication profile; adapts curriculum to meet diverse needs.
• Plan and implement units addressing content, process, and sequence; provide auditory training and supports for language development; instructs in use of assistive tech and amplification devices (HAT).
• Collaborates with families to support social-emotional wellbeing and connects to community resources.
• Participates in ongoing professional development and collaborative team meetings.
• Engages in co-teaching, curriculum committees, and activities supporting student growth and inclusion.
• Maintains attendance, progress monitoring, and required documentation in compliance with district/state rules.

Skills

Child growth & development

Hearing loss impact on language

ASL & Total Communication

Differentiated instruction

Evidence-based teaching practices

Education

Pennsylvania Special Education Certification (Deaf/Hard of Hearing)

Emergency permit option

Job description

Title: Teacher, Special Education, Deaf/Hard of Hearing

Department: School-Based

Reports To: School Principal

The School District of Philadelphia is committed to becoming the fastest improving District in the country and transforming the educational opportunities it offers to our city’s more than 198,000 students. The District seeks leaders who have a passion for working with schools and communities who are committed to ensuring all students achieve. Serving a population as diverse as ours requires creativity, commitment and vision. Will you join us?

Job Summary

Provides specialized educational services to students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH) with hearing losses ranging from mild to profound. Implements the District's adopted curriculum with fidelity while differentiating instruction to address the unique linguistic and audiological needs of students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Delivers instruction in language development, self-advocacy, auditory training, and communication access. Collaborates with medical, instructional, administrative, and other professional personnel to provide a comprehensive, student-centered educational experience. Provides instruction and support through both classroom-based and itinerant service delivery models across district schools.

Essential Functions

• Develops individualized instructional approaches based on each student's personal history, audiological data, and communication profile; establishes standards and goals aligned with the student's unique strengths, needs, and learning profile; and adapts curriculum and instructional materials to meet each learner's diverse needs.
• Plans and implements units of instruction that address content, process, and sequence of learning across elementary and secondary subjects; provides auditory training and supports the development of receptive and expressive language; instructs students in the use of assistive technology and amplification devices, including hearing aids, cochlear implants, FM systems, and other hearing assistive technology (HAT).
• Communicates and collaborates with families to support the social-emotional wellbeing of students; provides guidance regarding community resources and agencies that serve the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community; actively engages in structured family education and partnership opportunities.
• Participates in ongoing professional development and collaborative team meetings to address individual student needs and advances in the field of Deaf education.
• Engages in co-teaching models, curriculum committees, and other academic and extracurricular activities that support student growth and inclusion.
• Maintains accurate attendance, progress monitoring, and other required documentation in compliance with district and state requirements.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Title

Teacher, Special Education, Deaf/Hard of Hearing

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of: o child growth and development, with emphasis on the impact of hearing loss on language acquisition, literacy, and psychosocial development. o current methods, principles, and evidence-based practices in elementary and/or secondary education for DHH learners. o the spectrum of communication approaches used by DHH individuals, including American Sign Language (ASL), spoken language, and Total Communication.
• audiology and the anatomy of the auditory system, including conditions that affect hearing.
• hearing assistive technology and amplification devices, and strategies for supporting students in their use.
• principles and practices of auditory training and language development.
• deaf culture, history, identity, and the linguistic and cultural diversity of Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities.
• Demonstrated ability to: o communicate effectively with students along the communication spectrum via American Sign Language (ASL), Spoken Language, Total Communication, etc., based on students’ communication needs
• provide instruction that maximizes each student’s access to language through visual, auditory, and multimodal channels
• design, plan, and deliver effective, differentiated lessons for DHH learners o build and maintain collaborative, respectful working relationships with students, families, and colleagues.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Nondiscrimination

The School District of Philadelphia provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, disability, pregnancy, marital status, gender identity, or genetic information. Please refer to Board Policy 348 for further information regarding the District's commitment to Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices.

Certificates/Licenses

• Possession of a valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Certificate in Special Education for teaching students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing or ability to obtain an emergency permit while working toward full instructional certification.

Job

Instructional

Schedule

Regular

Employee Status

Entry Level

Job Posting

Oct 14, 2026, 8:49:03 AM

Union Affiliation

Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT)

Unposting Date

Ongoing