The focus of the Provincial Outreach Program Deaf and Hard of Hearing (POPDHH) is to collaborate with school districts in meeting the needs of all Deaf and Hard of Hearing learners. Through collaborative consultation POPDHH supports educational teams in addressing the unique communication and learning styles of individual Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. To reach every student’s potential POPDHH promotes goals of language development, literacy, numeracy, cognitive development, self-advocacy, and self-confidence in becoming responsible, global citizens.
The Provincial Outreach Program: Deaf and Hard of Hearing is seeking a Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing – Literacy Specialist.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Early Literacy
- Responsible for adapting or modifying existing materials, and creating new materials that specifically address the unique needs of learners
- Works together with an ASL Specialist to create materials in ASL and model visual tactile strategies
Educational Consultation
- Provides ongoing educational consultation and technical assistance to professionals working with children who are deaf or hard of hearing in public and private schools throughout British Columbia
- Writes Student Observation / Recommendation Summary reports
- Provides some temporary consultation itinerant services depending on staffing availability and caseload
- Working with the school-based team, assists with the identification and needs of students requiring POPDHH services (assessments, interviews, observations, team meetings, etc.)
- Administers and interprets assessments with School Based Team
- prepares reports and maintains records related to work performed
- Working with Deaf and Hard of Hearing students in person and through video conferencing with an emphasis on ASL acquisition
- Administers and interprets speech language assessments (receptive and expressive)
Professionals
- Works collaboratively with TDHHs across the province to build capacity, invite collaboration and answer questions
- Provides ongoing technical support and researches new technology that will benefit TDHHs and their students
- Mentorship for teachers and educational assistants
- Coordinates the organization of Provincial events such as video conferences, conferences, media and technology services
- Collaborates with partner agencies to provide seamless services in the community
Parents
- Works collaboratively with parents and professionals to develop positive and successful educational programs for students
- Provides workshops for parents in the area of IEPs, role of TDHHs, etc.
Webinars and conferences
- Develop educational webinars
- Provide support and specialized on-line training and/or workshops to the TDHHs, EAs, support staff and SLPs in the province on a regular basis in many areas related to deafness and hearing loss such as Assessments, goal development and Individualized Educational Plans, technology, etc.
Communication
- Serves students in school settings using all communication modalities
- Communicates regularly with a broad variety of professionals
- Facilitates communication between POPDHH, partner agencies and school staff
- Communication with students and Educational Teams in English and American Sign Language, and sharing knowledge of ASL, Deaf culture and history
- Performs related duties as required
Required Qualifications:
- A valid BC teaching certificate
- A Master’s degree or diploma in the education of the deaf and hard of hearing or certification by the Canadian Association of Educators of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CAEDHH)
- Native fluency in ASL (i.e., Level 4 or higher on the ASL Proficiency Interview, as assessed by the Sign Language Institute of Canada)
- Strong knowledge base in language and literacy development
- Understanding and applying adaptations for a deaf learner, i.e. environmental cueing
- Experience with essential reading routines
- Demonstrated ability to work on a team to adapt strategies for deaf learners
- Prior teaching experience with children who are deaf or hard of hearing, in both Classroom and Itinerant roles
- Knowledge of hearing assistive technology such as cochlear implants, hearing aids, and remote microphone systems
- Knowledge of the variety of communication modalities used by students who are deaf or hard of hearing
- Experience in providing inservices and developing online training tools
- Thorough knowledge of computer operation and software applications related to work performed.
- Ability to communicate effectively at the level required for the job
- Demonstrated ability to work at the level of independence and with the degree of initiative appropriate to the position
- Ability and willingness to travel throughout the province of British Columbia
