Preschool Classroom Teacher

Clarke Schools for Hearing & Speech•Philadelphia, PA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Preschool Classroom Teacher at Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech is a qualified early childhood education specialist responsible for students aged three to five. This role involves developing and implementing lesson plans focused on auditory, speech, and language skills, while also supporting overall developmental growth. The teacher will collaborate with Clarke's administrative staff, speech-language pathologists, educational audiologist, and LEA representatives to meet the requirements of students' Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). This is a forty-hour per week, 215-day per year contracted position with daily hours from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Requirements

Bachelor's or master's degree in Early Childhood Education, Deaf Education, Special Education, or a related field (e.g., Communication Science Disorders).
Valid Pennsylvania Teacher Certificate in a related field, or willingness/ability to obtain Pennsylvania state credentials.
Pennsylvania State clearances – Child Abuse, FBI, Criminal Background Check.
Knowledge and experience in early childhood education.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge and experience with assistive listening devices, including but not limited to, hearing aids, cochlear implants, bone anchored hearing aids, and remote technology.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement daily lesson plans following Pennsylvania Early Standards and curriculum-based instruction that is developmentally appropriate for students in the classroom.
Create an environment that fosters independence, confidence, creativity, respect for materials and people, and is conducive to experiential learning.
Facilitate student interactions with child-centered instruction based on child development principles, providing problem-solving skills and a foundation for future learning.
Provide a comfortable and supportive environment for parents, encouraging observation and support for their child with hearing loss.
Observe students and record developmental information for goal development and progress tracking.
Engage individual students and small groups in activities that develop listening and spoken language skills.
Collaborate with Clarke professionals to provide accurate information on listening and spoken language outcomes to parents and colleagues, and to explain, model, and encourage techniques for skill development.
Collaborate with Clarke professionals to troubleshoot hearing assistive technology, including hearing aids, cochlear implants, bone-anchored hearing aids, and remote microphone systems.
Collaborate with Clarke professionals to provide diagnostic information about auditory, speech, and language skills of students who are deaf or hard of hearing using formal testing, differentiated instruction, and observations.
Maintain regular communication with families via written notes, emails, classroom blog postings, and progress report meetings.
Provide guidance and support to the Classroom Teacher Assistant in maintaining student health, safety, and educational well-being.
Educate parents and provide follow-up activities to enhance their child's communication skills development.
Communicate effectively with Clarke staff, families, related service-providers, and health care professionals regarding student care and success.
Perform tasks as requested by Clarke’s administrative team to provide an educational experience and meet contracting agency requirements.
Attend required staff meetings, including departmental meetings, to plan classroom and school activities.
Provide input on student progress, curriculum issues, and collaborate with colleagues.
Collect and report data for student individualized outcomes as set by the IEP.
Write and submit trimester progress reports for students.
Participate in trimester progress report meetings.
Serve as an active participant in Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings by attending and collaborating with Clarke staff to report on IEP goals and classroom participation.
Participate in professional learning opportunities as required by Clarke, state, and county specifications.
Maintain communication with director, educational support specialist, and other Clarke staff regarding student development.
Display professionalism in attire, interactions with students and families, and collaboration with staff and related professionals.
Uphold HIPAA compliancy for the safety and protection of students and families.
Attend field trips to assist students in developing auditory, speech, and language skills related to the classroom curriculum.
Treat students, families, and other staff with respect and dignity.