American Sign Language Teacher (2024-2025)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports To: Building Principal

Supervises: Assigned Paraprofessional, if applicable

Employment Terms: 10-Month Full-time Position (200 Contacted Days)

Grade: Teacher Scale

Position Summary

Teaches the fundamentals of American Sign Language (ASL) used by the Deaf Community, including basic vocabulary, syntax, fingerspelling, and grammatical non-manual signals. Introduces cultural knowledge and increases understanding of the Deaf Community. Students will be able to have basic conversations in ASL incorporating the fundamentals of ASL grammar, vocabulary, fingerspelling, numbers, and culture. They will be able to demonstrate the ability to select, produce, and use appropriate sign choice for clear and accurate basic communication (needs, wants, opinions) along with the application of appropriate grammar and syntax (facial expression, body language, deixis, fulcrum, signing space). Assists students in learning knowledge and skills that will contribute to their development as mature, able and responsible citizens.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements and qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions

1. Meets and instructs the students(s) in the locations and at the time designated.
2. Develops and maintains the physical environment of the classroom that is conducive to effective learning within the limits of resources provided by the system.
3. Prepares for classes assigned and shows evidence of preparation upon request of the immediate supervisor.
4. Demonstrates mastery of the content area.
5. Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
6. Plans and delivers appropriate curriculum content to students.
7. Assesses student learning on an ongoing basis and alters instruction to meet group/individual needs.
8. Uses the curriculum of the district to plan daily instructional activities.
9. Maintains order within the classroom setting in accordance with division guidelines regarding student behavior management.
10. Supervises students in non-classroom time (before school, after school, student activities, fire drills).
11. Collaborates with other faculty in planning and delivering instruction to students.
12. Attends and participates in faculty and department meetings.
13. Communicates regularly with parents.
14. Ensures compliance with existing applicable federal and state statutes and local policies, regulations and guidelines related to public schools.
15. Demonstrates commitment to improving professional competence.
16. Assesses student learning on an ongoing basis and alters instruction to meet group/individual needs.
17. Uses the curriculum of the district to plan daily instructional activities.
18. Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Knowledge of the concepts, principles and methodologies of instruction.
2. General knowledge of academic curriculum for assigned classes.
3. Skill in the use of personal computers and related software packages, hardware and peripheral equipment.
4. Must have the ability to report to work on a regular and punctual basis.
5. Ability to communicate complex ideas effectively in both oral and written formats.
6. Ability to motivate others to reach their fullest potential.
7. Ability to develop instructional goals, to design and deliver instruction and to assess students' learning.
8. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, the School Board, elected officials, parents, students and the general public.

Qualifications, Education and Experience

1. Hold a valid Virginia Department of Education teacher’s license or certification with appropriate endorsement in American Sign Language; or
2. Has completed the requirements for a Virginia certificate or license and has filed an application for same; or
3. Will qualify for a Virginia certificate or license prior to the effective date of employment.
4. Prior teaching experience and/or student teaching is strongly preferred.
5. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the School Board may find appropriate and acceptable.

Physical Requirements

1. This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force.
2. Work regularly requires speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires standing, walking, sitting, reaching with hands and arms and repetitive motions and occasionally requires pushing or pulling.
3. Work has standard vision requirements.
4. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly.
5. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound.
6. Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
7. Must be mobile enough to monitor students in all instructional settings (in school and on school grounds).
8. Work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment.
9. Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

Special Requirements

1. Possession of or ability to acquire appropriate license(s), certificate(s) and/or endorsement(s) for the position as required by the Commonwealth of Virginia or School Board.
2. May require the ability to acquire a valid driver’s license to operate division-owned/leased motor vehicles. The    incumbent’s driving record will be subject to periodic review, and must be acceptable in accordance with the provisions  of the Dinwiddie County School Board’s policy manual.
3. All candidates must successfully undergo the following pre-employment screenings:

              a. Tuberculosis Screening

              b. Child Protective Services (CPS) Investigation

              c. State Police Criminal History Investigation

              d. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)/National Criminal History Investigative Search

Evaluation

Performance of this position will be evaluated in accordance with the provisions of the Dinwiddie County

School Board’s policy manual.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Dinwiddie County Public Schools does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, marital status, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.  

We will recruit and select applicants for employment solely on the basis of their qualifications. Our guidelines and practices, including those relating to wages, benefits, transfers, promotions, terminations and self-development opportunities, will also be administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex/sexual orientation, gender/gender identity, age, marital status, genetic information, national origin, ancestry, political affiliation, disability, protected veteran status and all other classes protected by the Federal and State Law. Dinwiddie County Public Schools is an Alcohol & Drug Free Workplace.