Teacher - American Sign Language

Job Title: Teacher – American Sign Language

Department: HGLCS

Position Summary

The Teacher – ASL directs the academic, social, and emotional growth of students so that each student progresses toward the goals and objectives outlined in their Individual Education Plan (IEP) and Service Plan. This position is responsible for creating an engaging and supportive learning environment while providing instruction tailored to meet the unique needs of each student.

Department

New Directions Youth & Family Services’ HGLCS program provides individualized education and support to students with diverse needs, helping them achieve growth in both academic and personal development.

Agency

New Directions Youth & Family Services is an equal opportunity employer committed to championing the principles of anti-racism, justice, and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse cultures and backgrounds, for all positions, who will uphold our values and contribute to our mission. We aim to have a leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.

Benefits

New Directions offers a strong benefits package to support employees:

• Medical, dental, and life insurance
• 401k with up to 3% agency match
• 119 hours of paid time off in the first year, plus holidays and school breaks
• Monday – Friday schedule, 7:45 AM – 2:45 PM
• Opportunities for professional development and advancement
• Join a company where over 30% of staff have been with us for 10 years
  
  
  

Compensation

$24.90 – $28.45 per hour to start, with guaranteed raises.

Hours/Schedule

Full-Time, Monday – Friday, 7:45 AM – 2:45 PM.

Professional Development Opportunities

Teachers receive ongoing professional development through in-service trainings, supervision, and opportunities to strengthen expertise in the field. Staff maintain certifications including Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) and First Aid/CPR, provided by the agency.

Position Specific Duties/Responsibilities

• Direct student behavior and activities to support academic and social-emotional goals
• Create a learning climate that fosters intellectual, social, and emotional development
• Maintain records of student progress and ensure accurate credit for completed work
• Develop instructional plans and materials tailored to individual student needs
• Provide individualized or group instruction and support for special projects
• Communicate with parents/guardians on a bi-weekly basis regarding student progress
• Collaborate with colleagues by attending team, content, and CSE/SPR meetings
• Supervise assigned Teacher’s Aide and provide guidance for student support
• Support the campus-wide PBIS program
• Supervise students in hallways, lunchrooms, and transitions as needed
• Maintain valid NYS certification and agency-required trainings
• Prepare academic and sociological reports for CSE meetings
• Attend mandatory training, staff meetings, and supervision sessions
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Principal
  
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Ability to create engaging, differentiated instruction for students with unique needs
• Strong communication, classroom management, and instructional skills
• Knowledge of child development, learning challenges, and special education practices
• Ability to work effectively with youth, families, and staff from diverse backgrounds
• Ability to manage challenging student behaviors and support social-emotional learning
• Proficient in documentation, record-keeping, and communication across multiple mediums
  
  
  

Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor’s Degree in a core academic area
• Preferred: Provisional or Permanent teaching certification in an academic core area and/or in special education; Master’s Degree in a core academic area
• Experience working with “at-risk,” emotionally disturbed, or learning-disabled students preferred but not required
• Must comply with NYSED requirements under the No Child Left Behind Act for teaching certification
• Valid driver’s license, adequate auto insurance, and compliance with agency driving policy
• Ability to pass an annual physical per agency health policy (Category 3 classification)
• Compliance with agency safety standards and healthy work environment practices
  
  
  

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We want to emphasize that the preferred qualifications are not required and that we are committed to helping our future colleagues develop these preferred skills. We strongly encourage those who are passionate about fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable human service organization to apply.