Deaf Educator

About the role

The Deaf Educator position is a hybrid role based in Nashville, TN with remote work after an in‑person orientation and laptop deployment on July 1, 2024. The appointment is for 12+ months, approximately 20 hours per week, with the work schedule to be determined with the supervisor within the 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM window.

Responsibilities

• Work cooperatively and effectively with parents, early intervention staff, and the public who have a vested interest in working with children with hearing loss.
• Consult and assist the Newborn Hearing Follow Up program director with development of training and education for stakeholders (early intervention staff, pediatric audiologists, nurse case managers, providers, early education teachers) on language outcome achievements through accommodations and modifications for curriculum access.
• Provide technical assistance to parents, school staff, speech language pathologists, school psychologists, specialists, and interpreters to support deaf or hard of hearing children’s individual needs across all learning settings.
• Develop and provide trainings with early intervention agencies, providers, and family support services regarding individualized services needed for children diagnosed with hearing loss.
• Demonstrate computer skills, including but not limited to Microsoft Office programs, with advanced experience using Microsoft Word for creating and editing text documents.
• Collaborate with the Tennessee Newborn Hearing Follow Up program, other schools, and state departments to gain insight, knowledge, and ideas for supporting language acquisition of children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Collect, develop, and/or share materials, activities, and resources to support deaf or hard of hearing children, families, and early childhood educators in conjunction with the Newborn Hearing Follow Up program for outreach and education.
• Facilitate opportunities for connecting isolated deaf or hard of hearing families and role models in the wider deaf or hard of hearing community.
• Participate in yearly professional development to stay current with signing skills, technology, devices, programs, and advances in deaf education.
• Attend program meetings including advisory committee meetings, community partner meetings, and meetings held by the national network centers.
• Attend the National Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Conference, upon program approval.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Must have or be eligible to obtain a current Teacher Certificate issued by the Tennessee Department of Education with a current or pending endorsement in Deaf Education: Hearing Impaired, Teacher for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (or similar Pre‑K through 12).
• Must be able to work in a hybrid work environment, both at an alternative work site and attend meetings, as requested.
• Must demonstrate knowledge of and be proficient in one or more sign systems: American Sign Language (ASL), Signed English, Pidgin Signed English (PSE).
• Have an understanding of all communication methods used by children who are deaf or hard of hearing, age 0–3.
• Have training and experience working with Hearing Assistive Technology (HAT) such as hearing aids, bone conduction devices, cochlear implants, personal FM/DM systems, Roger