Teacher for the Deaf/Sign Language Teacher Job Description
Teacher for the Deaf/Sign Language Teacher Job Profile and Description
A Special Education Teacher trained to teach children with hearing and speech impairment, the Sign Language Teacher is actually classified as a translator who interprets the spoken word into hand signs that the deaf can understand. But with the skills of hand signs, a deaf child who is also medically challenged for speech can express his thoughts as well. To this end, the Sign Language Teacher opens up a new world of learning for the deaf through IEP or Individualized Education Plan for each student.
Teacher for the Deaf/Sign Language Teacher Duties and Responsibilities
- Modify and develop the typical grade school lesson to suit the learning ability of the deaf with the proper teaching technologies to include sign language into the curriculum.
- Conduct courses in sign language while taking advantage of the normal visual acuity of the students by creating lessons making use of visual and tactile sensory teaching aids.
- Attend conferences on new trends in teaching children with hearing difficulties
- Meet regularly with parents and guardians to appraise their children’s progress and reassess learning priorities for their children.
- Collaborate with educational audiologists in helping students with hearing impairment to use hearing aid when applicable.
Teacher for the Deaf/Sign Language Teacher Skills and Specifications
- Must have genuine interest in educating disabled children
- Must have high level of teaching skill and patience
- Must have excellent interpersonal and people management skills
Teacher for the Deaf/Sign Language Teacher Education and Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree or higher education is basic plus passing the state’s certification or accreditation as an educator
- Passing an accreditation for a Specialist Education in any of the six areas of disability, with Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) as relevant to this position.
- 2-3 years of experience in a similar management capacity is an advantage.
Teacher for the Deaf/Sign Language Teacher for the Blind Salary
In California, a Special Education Teacher specializing in DHH earns a median of $63,340 with the middle 50% earning from $49,900 to $77,300. In New York, the average annual salary is $41,960 for entry level workers, and $76,940 for experienced workers. For comparison, the median salary for sign language interpreters in 2008 was $38,850.