Teacher of the Deaf (PreK–12)

About the District
Edmonds School District is committed to workplace diversity and aims to attract and retain employees with the right skills, knowledge, and life experiences to meet the needs of each vacancy. We encourage individuals of different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives to apply and seek those who actively embrace our equity-focused direction for the future.

Our certificated staff are committed to engaging and supporting all students in learning. This is exemplified daily by their efforts to create learning environments that promote student autonomy, interaction, competence and choice. They are aware of the diverse needs of Edmonds students and use all possible resources to meet this diversity including making reasonable accommodations for individual cognitive, physical, emotional and social needs. Edmonds staff believe that every student has the capacity to learn. They support this belief by promoting high standards of learning for all and communicating these standards to all their students.

About the Position 
This is a 1.0 FTE non-continuing contract position for a Teacher of the Deaf (TOD). This position is for the remainder of the 2026-27 school year ONLY.

The Teacher of the Deaf (TOD) provides direct, itinerant, and consultative specialized instruction to students who are deaf or hard of hearing across PreK-12 grade levels. Operating in visually accessible learning environments, this position designs, adapts, and implements Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs) to support academic achievement, language acquisition, literacy, self-advocacy, social growth, positive Deaf identity development, and equitable communication access in both general education and specialized settings.

Preference will be given to candidates that currently have an ELL, ESOL, or Bilingual endorsement. SIOP training and GLAD training offered by the Multilingual Education Department will be required for all new employees unless they can show evidence of having completed SIOP and GLAD training previously. Training will need to be completed within the first two years of employment, subject to contract duration and continuation.

Required Qualifications:  

• Valid Washington State Teaching Certificate with an endorsement in Deaf Education (or eligibility for OSPI endorsement reciprocity). Special Education endorsement preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Special Education AND Deaf Education (Master's degree preferred).
• Fluency in American Sign Language (ASL) and written English, with the ability to adapt signing style (including Contact Sign/PSE) to align with individual student linguistic needs.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:  

• Specialized Instruction & Assessment
  • Plan, differentiate, and deliver direct educational activities and specialized instruction across individual, small-group, or general education settings per IEP goals.
  • Ensure complete, barrier-free communication access by providing fluent instruction tailored to student language preferences in ASL and contact sign/PSE, while collaborating with multidisciplinary team members (e.g., SLPs, Audiologists) to support students utilizing Listening and Spoken Language (LSL).
  • Evaluate student progress and educational needs using standardized, diagnostic, and functional assessments suited for DHH learners.
  • Promote student autonomy, interaction, competence, problem-solving skills, and self-advocacy within the school community.
• IEP & Case Management
  • Case manage IEPs for DHH students, ensuring compliance with Washington State OSPI regulations and IDEA due process while centering language planning, student self-determination, and positive Deaf identity development.
  • Draft clear, measurable IEP goals and objectives related to language development, literacy, self-advocacy, academic growth, social-emotional well-being, and assistive technology.
  • Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including general education teachers, audiologists, educational interpreters, speech-language pathologists, administrators, and parents.
• Assistive Technology & Environmental Access
  • Coordinate assistive technology, auditory support equipment (e.g., personal FM/DM systems, hearing aids, cochlear implant accessories), and visual access tools, providing management, troubleshooting, and training to staff and students as appropriate for each student's IEP.
  • Advise school teams on classroom acoustics, environmental modifications, and captioning access to ensure equitable communication access.
• Consultation & Advocacy
  • Provide ongoing consultation and professional learning to general education staff, administrators, and support staff regarding Deaf culture, bilingual pedagogy, and the educational and social experiences of deaf and hard of hearing students.
  • Foster self-advocacy skills in students to encourage independence and full inclusion in school environments.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Experience:  

• Secondary/high school teaching endorsement in Math or Science (for secondary/high school applicants).
• Experience creating meaningful activities and learning interactions in a DHH education setting.
• Knowledge of Washington State Learning Standards (CCSS), OSPI Special Education rules, and WAC regulations.
• Familiarity with audiological evaluations, audiograms, and functional listening assessments.
• Commitment to educational equity, cultural responsiveness, and supporting diverse student identities.
• Strong organizational, communication, and time-management skills to manage itinerant caseloads across multiple sites.

A complete application includes:  
Cover Letter, Resume, 2 Confidential Reference Surveys* (forms will be automatically emailed to your references), 2 Letters of Recommendation, and Transcripts.
*To move forward in the selection process your confidential reference forms must be completed by 11:00 p.m. on the closing date.

Salary:  
2026-27 Salary Schedule Range: $85,456 through $152,066. Placement on this salary schedule is determined by FTE and official documentation verifying Educational Level and Certificated Work Experience and will be prorated for less than a full year and/or FTE.

Benefits:  
Our benefits package includes Washington state health insurance coverage (SEBB) and a Washington state retirement package for eligible positions.

• Eligibility for health insurance is based on whether the employee is anticipated to be compensated at least 630 hours per school year (September 1 through August 31).  For the 2026-27 school year a .5 FTE continuing contract position will meet that eligibility threshold.  Eligibility for a non-continuing contract position will be determined at the time of hire by counting the total anticipated compensated hours from the date of hire through the end of the non-continuing contract.  Benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, Long-term Disability, Life and AD+D Insurance and options for HSA, FSA and DCAP.
• Eligibility for retirement is based on whether the employee is anticipated to work at least 70 hours per month for 5 months during the school year.  For the 2026-27 school year a .6 FTE (either continuing or non-continuing) meets that eligibility threshold.
• Most employees have a wide variety of supplemental benefits to take advantage of:
  • Life Insurance
  • Paid Sick Leave  
  • Paid Personal Leave  
  • Employee Assistance Program  
  • Deferred Compensation Plan  
  • 403(b) Plans

Physical Requirements/Demands:
The physical demands described here outline tasks required to perform the essential functions of this job. The district is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities in meeting these requirements.

While fulfilling the responsibilities of this job, the employee is expected to navigate various school and classroom environments. The role may involve assisting students who need physical support or exhibit challenging behaviors. The role requires communicating with others regularly.  Tasks may include frequent manual work using hands or fingers, as well as occasional reaching, bending, or twisting. The position may require moving objects regularly weighing up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 25 pounds. Visual requirements include performing close-range tasks and adjusting focus as necessary.

How to Apply:
Complete all steps and submit an Employment Application through Edmonds School District on Applitrack.com. Please make sure to select the desired job vacancy in Step 4 of the application process. Due to the number of applications we receive, only candidates who are selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Edmonds School District does not discriminate in any program or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed religion, color, national origin, age veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

• Title IX Coordinator: Rob Baumgartner, Assistant Superintendent, HR-Payroll-Benefits, 20420 68th Avenue W., Lynnwood, WA 98036, 425-431-7023, baumgartnerr@edmonds.wednet.edu
• Section 504 Coordinator: Jonathan Bell, Executive Director of Student Services, 20420 68th Avenue W., Lynnwood, WA 98036, 425-431-7047, bellj802@edmonds.wednet.edu
• Civil Rights Compliance and ADA Coordinator: Rob Baumgartner, Assistant Superintendent, HR-Payroll-Benefits, 20420 68th Avenue W., Lynnwood, WA 98036, 425-431-7023, baumgartnerr@edmonds.wednet.edu