High School ASL Teacher

HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER – ASL
JOB DESCRIPTION

Summary

A High School ASL teacher is responsible for providing instruction to high school students in the field of American Sign Language (ASL), supporting student progress, and promoting and managing a safe, positive classroom environment. The ideal candidate is passionate about teaching American Sign Language (ASL) and fostering an appreciation and respect for the Deaf Community and Deaf Culture. The ASL teacher assists in school programs as agreed upon by the teacher and the administrator, or as assigned under District policy. This position is directly responsible to the school principal.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Develops student-centered, engaging lessons
• Focuses on authentic, contextual use of American Sign Language
• Provides students instruction to learn American Sign Language not only with structural accuracy, but also in authentic use
• Provides instruction and experiences with the Deaf culture in which American Sign Language is used - both the major cultural artifacts as well as day-to-day habits and practices
• Utilizes current pedagogy to engage students in using American Sign Language from the earliest stages of language acquisition
•  Provides instructional supports to allow students to demonstrate level appropriate proficiency in American Sign Language 

General Qualifications

• Ability to operate a computer and computer software as appropriate
• Analyze situations carefully and adopt effective courses of action 
• Work effectively in the absence of supervision
• Communicate effectively
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with parents, students, staff and administration

Knowledge & Abilities

• Instructional techniques and strategies appropriate to the curriculum; state frameworks, District-approved curriculum, and Board/District/school policies and procedures
• Plans daily class time to achieve a balanced program of study of concepts, individual and group work
• Use of lectures and other learning activities appropriate to the subject matter assigned at the ability level of the student
• Evaluate each pupil’s growth in knowledge, skill, and aptitude in the courses taught and prepare
  progress reports
• Identifies pupil needs and cooperates with school and District professional staff in assessing and helping pupils resolve issues
• Establishes and maintains standards of pupil behavior needed to achieve a functional learning atmosphere in the classroom
• Performs basic attendance accounting and business services as required in the District
• May plan and coordinate work with other teachers, teachers’ aides, teacher assistants and other paraprofessionals

Develop professional relationships with other agencies, programs, and schools

Education & Experience

• BA/BS Degree
• Experience teaching high school American Sign Language (preferred)
  Licenses & Certifications
• Valid California Single Subject Teaching Credential in American Sign Language (ASL), or eligibility to obtain the credential. English Learner Authorization 
• California Single Subject Intern Credential
• Applicants who are eligible for a California Single Subject Intern Credential in American Sign Language through their university credentialing program may apply.

Contract Period

• 185 Contract Days with Additional Professional Development Days Per Contract

Working Conditions

• Daily work is generally performed in an indoor school setting.
• Must have the use of sensory skills in order to effectively communicate and interact with students, other faculty, staff, and parents. 
• The position also entails significant walking, bending, standing, stooping, and possible physical interventions in order to maintain a safe learning environment.