THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidates for Instructional Aide for Students Who Are Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing - Signing are patient, empathetic, and dedicated to student achievement and inclusion. Just as critically, they have:

1. Proficiency in sign language with the ability to tailor instructional methods to individual student language needs and preferences.
2. Foundational knowledge in core subjects (like English, Math, History, and Science) to effectively support classroom learning.
3. Knowledge of adaptive devices and resources, such as hearing aids, captioning services, and AV equipment used in instructional settings.
4. An understanding of the unique personal, academic, and social needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing students, actively fostering an inclusive and empowering learning environment.

TYPICAL DUTIES

An Instructional Aide for Students Who Are Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing - Signing assists students who are deaf and hard-of-hearing through the use of sign language or oral communication methods by presenting educational materials and exercises related to classroom instruction.

Typical duties include:

1. Assists students with limited language abilities in developing communication skills such as sign language, speech reading and English.
2. Assists a teacher or other certificated employee in a school by presenting educational materials and exercises related to classroom instruction.
3. Assists to remove academic, linguistic, and social-emotional achievement barriers by repeating, rephrasing, modifying to student’s preferred communication modality, or utilizing supporting materials to assist student engagement in formal and informal learning environments.
4. Tutors in academic, vocational, and related subjects.
5. Assists and instructs students in the use of books, materials, equipment and adaptive devices.
6. Assists in adapting training aids and classroom equipment for use by students.
7. Operates audio-visual equipment and uses other materials and methods to present educational material to students.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION: In compliance with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015 and other related legislation, candidates for this classification must meet the following standards: Paraprofessionals who provide instructional assistance are required to possess a high-school diploma or equivalent and one of the following.

1. Completion of 48 semester units or 72 quarter units from a recognized college or university; OR
2. Possession of an associate or higher degree, from a recognized college or university; OR
3. Receipt of a passing score on the District Proficiency Test and the Instructional Assistant Test

EXPERIENCE: One (1) year of experience as an interpreter, instructional aide, or a special education assistant in an education program for students who are deaf and hard-of-hearing. Eight (8) semester units from a recognized college or university in deaf studies including courses in audiology, speech and language, sign language interpretation, and/or transliteration may be substituted for the required experience.

SPECIAL: Proficiency in the use of sign language or oral interpretation as appropriate to the class is required.

SPECIAL NOTE: A Red Cross First Aid Certificate must be obtained within 60 days after appointment and must be kept current.