Teacher of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing

Great Prairie AEA•Ottumwa, IA

About The Position

Great Prairie Area Education Agency has an opening for a Teacher of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing. Prorated contract (plus 2 orientation days initial year) depending on the agreed upon start date as soon as January 2026, or the 2026-2027 school year. Position may serve Region(s) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. Region 1: Albia, Centerville, Chariton, Moravia, Seymour, Wayne. Region 2: Eddyville Blakesburg Fremont, Keota, North Mahaska, Oskaloosa, Oskaloosa Christian, Pekin, Sigourney, Tri-County. Region 3: Cardinal, Davis County, Moulton-Udell, Ottumwa, Ottumwa Christian and Seton Catholic. Region 4 : Fairfield, Maharishi, Mediapolis, Morning Sun, Mt. Pleasant, WACO, Wapello and Winfield-Mt. Union. Region 5 : Burlington, Burlington Notre-Dame, Danville, New London, and West Burlington. Region 6: Central Lee, Fort Madison, Holy Trinity Catholic, Keokuk, Keokuk Catholic, and Van Buren County. Position Overview : Partners with educators, families and communities to provide effective learning environments for all students. Helps ensure success for all learners. Provides diagnostic evaluation/educational review, consultation and intervention to eligible deaf and hard of hearing students. Provides supplementary support and assistance to students who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as parents, families, AEA personnel, LEA personnel, and outside agencies.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in education of the deaf.
Iowa instructional license with itinerant teacher-hearing impaired endorsement.
Ability to communicate effectively and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to function effectively as a team member and work collaboratively with others and independently as appropriate.
Ability and willingness to be flexible and respond to the changing needs of clients and the Agency.
Ability to integrate educational theory, research and expertise into appropriate practices for local contexts, in a service style that facilitates positive change and continuous improvement.
Effective presentation and group facilitation skills.
Ability to use data to make educationally sound decisions.
Knowledge of best practices in curriculum, instruction and assessment.
Knowledge of applicable rules and laws that govern educational decisions.
Ability to read and interpret documents, write reports and correspondence, and apply appropriate mathematical concepts.
Ability to use and integrate technology appropriately in daily work which includes, but is not limited to, efficient operation of telephone and voice mail systems and application of basic computer skills to effectively use e-mail, internet and word processing.
Knowledge of amplification, adaptive equipment, and technology.
Knowledge of the continuum of educational options.
Knowledge of deaf culture.
Proficiency in visual communication systems.
Ability to travel between schools/sites served.
Normal, routine levels of activity related to bending, carrying, climbing, hearing, lifting, reaching, sitting, standing, vision and walking, and may also involve above-average levels of activity at times that cannot always be anticipated.

Responsibilities

Supports total school/community efforts to create a positive learning environment for students/children.
Serves as liaison among AEA, district building(s), families and community and collaborates with various teams to assure positive outcomes for all learners.
Models, implements and assesses strategies related to learning, social, emotional and behavioral needs to enhance educational programming for all learners.
Provides ongoing support to educational staff related to applicable rules and laws.
Integrates research into the design of best practices.
Consults with teachers and administrators regarding best practices for classroom and building educational programs.
Follows policies, procedures, standards and rules in accordance with national and state laws, the Iowa Dept of Education and GPAEA, which includes, but is not limited to, developing and maintaining proper and adequate records and documentation.
Helps determine eligibility for services.
Collects and disseminates student specific information regarding educational implications.
Provides intervention needed for students according to IEP/IFSP goals and objectives.
Provides necessary accommodations, adaptations, and strategies to promote student success.
Performs listening checks and simple troubleshooting procedures on various amplification devices.
Supports and collaborates with educational interpreter(s)/associates(s).
Participates in projects, committees or activities to support the Agency’s mission, goals and priorities.
Demonstrates self-discipline and initiative to produce high-quality, organized and dependable results.
Conveys a positive and professional image to staff and public.
Handles information in a confidential manner in accordance with established policies and legal requirements (FERPA, HIPAA, etc).
Pursues professional growth opportunities and relationships to keep current with and influence educational directions.
Provides appropriate inservices as related to hearing loss, communication systems, and hearing conservation.
Provides social and learning opportunities for students and their families and LEA personnel.
Provides information to students and families in development of specific skills and knowledge related to the implications of a hearing loss.