American Sign Language Teacher

Bishop O'Gorman Catholic Schools•Sioux Falls, SD

About The Position

Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools is seeking an American Sign Language Teacher for O'Gorman High School and Jr. High, starting in the 2027-2028 school year. The schools’ mission is to form a community of faith and learning by promoting a Catholic way of life through Gospel values and academic excellence. Applicants do not need to be Catholic, but employees are expected to promote the schools’ mission. The teacher is expected to exhibit the core values of Faith, Unity, Excellence, and Integrity and create an environment of trust. The teacher plans and delivers instruction that supports active learning and follows system curriculum maps. ASL instruction includes foundational production and comprehension, intermediate fluency and sentence structure, and advanced expression and spontaneous signing. Lessons also introduce students to Deaf culture, including its values, social norms, and etiquette, and explore life and history through the lens of hearing impairment. The position includes assessing and supporting student progress, maintaining records and classroom resources, communicating with students, colleagues, and families, and participating in school and community activities. The teacher also provides student supervision and support, maintains professionalism and confidentiality, and cares for classroom materials and school property.

Requirements

Willingness and ability to effectively make known the Catholic Church’s teachings through the varied ministry activities expected of the position.
Willingness and ability to act as an outstanding personal witness to the Catholic faith and religion, living professional and personal life in accordance with the doctrines and moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, including the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution.
Graduation from a state-approved teacher education program, including necessary coursework in instructional design and classroom management.
Pass the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) exam relevant to the intended grade level.
South Dakota state certification and K-12 American Sign Language Education Endorsement, or qualification through the stated ASL Educator Permit alternate path.
For the endorsement, submit official documentation from the South Dakota School for the Deaf or an approved equivalent institution serving Deaf students certifying ASL language proficiency, academic study and firsthand experiential immersion in Deaf culture, at least 60 contact hours focused explicitly on ASL teaching methods, and a formal institutional recommendation for certification.
For the alternate ASL Educator Permit path, receive an intermediate or Level 3 or higher score on the Sign-Language Proficiency Instrument (SLPI), or obtain American Sign-Language Teachers Association (ASLTA) certification.
For the alternate ASL Educator Permit path, complete six semester hours of coursework including understanding Deaf cultures and understanding ASL grammar.
Advanced proficiency in both written and spoken American Sign Language.
Exhibit Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools’ core values of Faith, Unity, Excellence, and Integrity.
Knowledge of relevant technology.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Good problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Self-motivated with high energy.

Responsibilities

Promote the mission of Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools.
Plan, prepare, and deliver instructional activities that facilitate active learning experiences.
Develop schemes of work and lesson plans that adhere to system curriculum maps.
Establish and communicate clear objectives for learning activities.
Teach ASL across foundational production and comprehension, intermediate fluency and sentence structure, and advanced expression and spontaneous signing.
Introduce students to basic tenets of Deaf culture, including values, social norms, and etiquette.
Explore life and history through the lens of hearing impairment.
Provide learning materials and resources for educational activities.
Select instructional resources and methods to meet students’ varying needs.
Instruct and monitor students in the use of learning materials and equipment.
Use relevant technology to support instruction.
Keep updated with developments in the subject area, teaching resources, and methods, and make relevant changes to instructional plans and activities.
Observe, monitor, and evaluate student progress and performance.
Assign and grade classwork, homework, tests, and assignments, and enter grades online.
Provide appropriate and timely feedback on student work.
Maintain accurate and complete records of student progress and development.
Provide student supervision and discipline.
Perform pastoral duties, including student support, counseling students with academic problems, and providing encouragement.
Uphold professionalism and confidentiality.
Participate in school events and fundraisers.
Participate in department, school, and parent meetings.
Regularly communicate necessary information about student progress and needs to students, colleagues, and parents.
Attend parent-teacher conferences.
Assume responsibility for and care of classrooms and school property.
Maintain an accurate inventory of classroom materials and supplies.
Perform various duties as assigned.