Summary

Responsible for supporting instruction in various content area(s) and age/grade level(s). Supports learning experiences that motivate students and meet their individual needs. Works with teacher in utilizing instructional materials that support overall curricular goals. Integrates critical thinking skills and literacy/signacy into work with students. Utilizes approved classroom management strategies as needed. Supports NMSD’s progressive vision and mission. . It is anticipated and expected that all functions of this position will be performed in a positive and receptive manner, while helping to advance the mission and vision of New Mexico School for the Deaf.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (Other duties may be assigned)

• Follow the specific instructional objectives of a learning experience/activity as outlined by the certified teacher.
• Assist certified teacher with classroom and behavior management.
• Provide individual academic/communication support as assigned by the teacher.
• Escort students between classes, monitor children during recess, lunch, and other breaks.
• Make, photocopy, collate, and/or laminate classroom materials.
• Drive students to off-campus locations for class activities and/or work experiences; Assist on transportation runs.
• Provide coverage for class or individual students in absence of certified teacher by following substitute lesson plan.
• Knows and supports emergency/lockdown procedures and reviews health plans and behavior plans for each student as necessary.
• Supports Individualized Education Plans tailored to the unique needs of each student.
• Serve as a job coach (responsibilities include: follow training and supervision cycle as established by teacher and employer for students, complete reports about student performance to certified teacher).
• Attend required in-service training.
• Provide tutoring services with certain students.
• Support feeding, toileting, and mobility needs for specific students (could include physically transferring students in/out of wheelchair).
• Duties may include lifting items up to 35 pounds.
• Adheres to NMSD’s Vision, Mission and Belief statements.
• Highly trained and versatile instructional staff member who serves as a full-time substitute teacher.
• Follows substitute plans as developed by teachers.
• In the absence of a valid substitute plan, plans alternate activity based on subject, ability and age levels of students.
• Knows and supports emergency/lockdown procedures and reviews health information for each student as necessary.
• Uses a variety of instructional strategies and resources to motivate and meet the individual needs of students.
• Grades assignments and classwork as appropriate; implements and utilizes assessment materials to provide assessment of students’ abilities and potential.

Competencies: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Ability and commit to represent the vision, mission, and beliefs of NMSD

• Job Knowledge - Competent in required job skills and knowledge; exhibits ability to learn and apply new skills; keeps abreast of current developments; requires minimal supervision; displays understanding of how job relates to others; uses resources effectively.

• Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; collects and researches data; uses intuition and experience to complement data; designs work flows and procedures. Continuous Learning - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; seeks feedback to improve performance; pursues training and development opportunities; strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; shares expertise with others.

• Planning/Organizations - Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources; sets goals and objectives; organizes or schedules other people and their tasks. Must be organized and detail-oriented. Must be able to complete work within deadlines.  Must be able to plan and carry out plans/units efficiently, utilizing the entire tasks.

• Continuous Learning - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; seeks feedback to improve performance; pursues training and development opportunities; strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; shares expertise with others.

• Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent;

• Cooperation - Establishes and maintains effective relations; exhibits tact and consideration; offers assistance and support to co-workers; works cooperatively in group situations; works actively to resolve conflicts.

• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

• Initiative - Volunteers readily; undertakes self-development activities; asks for and offers help when needed.

• Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; meets challenges with resourcefulness; generates suggestions for improving work; develops innovative approaches and ideas; presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.

• Judgment - Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in decision-making process.

• Achievement Focus - Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles.

• Conflict Resolution - Confronts difficult situations; maintains objectivity; keeps emotions under control.

• Classroom Management - Able to develop positive teacher-student relationships, managing student behavior and involvement effectively; follow school-wide rules and expectations; consistent in approach to behavior and responses, utilizing NMSD's Positive Discipline approach.

• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.

• Delegation - Delegates work assignments; matches the responsibility to the person; sets expectations and monitors delegated activities.

• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals.

• Compassion – Demonstrates a general knowledge of the history and significance of Deaf and other minority communities in New Mexico.

• Personal Appearance - Dresses appropriately for position; keeps self well groomed; is mindful of visual needs when selecting clothing/accessories.

• Cultural Sensitivity – Demonstrates an understanding for diverse family dynamics, eye contact conventions, and gender roles in various cultures and how these cultural differences potentially might influence a communicated message.

• Humility – Demonstrates an openness to learning; never assumes her/his expertise excludes her/him from having to learn about other cultures.

• Multiculturalism ­– Possesses general knowledge about Deaf education and attitudes toward Deafness; Demonstrates an ability to apply American cultural values to business norms, such as punctuality and conciseness in communication, and apply Deaf cultural values to interpreting and other interactions, via attitude and demonstration of consideration and respect.

• Diversity - Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; educates others on the value of diversity; incorporates multi-cultural viewpoints into instruction and materials.

• Ethics - Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and principles; upholds organizational values.

• Language – Possesses adeptness in working across a wide range of registers, genres, and variations of English and ASL; demonstrates flexibility, using language free of regionalisms when interpreting for a consumer who does not share the same variety of English or ASL; Demonstrates ability to identify English-speaking and Deaf consumers’ language use and accommodate with appropriate target language form.

• Communications/ Written Communications - Exhibits good listening and comprehension; keeps others adequately informed; selects and uses appropriate communication methods; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; participates in meetings. Writes clearly and informatively; varies writing style to meet needs. Ensures that communication with clearly presented and grammatically correct.

• Visionary Leadership/ Leadership - Displays passion and optimism; inspires respect and trust. Inspires and motivates others to perform well; accepts feedback from others; gives appropriate recognition to others.

• Problem Solving - Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; works well with supervisors and other specialists.

• Strategic Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; understands organization's strengths & weaknesses; identifies external threats and opportunities; adapts strategy to changing conditions.

• Achievement Focus - Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles.

• Quality/ Quantity - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality. Completes work in timely manner; strives to increase productivity.

• Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.

• Project Management – Completes projects on time.

• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; completes tasks correctly and on time; supports organization's goals and values.

• Customer Service - Responds to requests for service and assistance; meets commitments.

• Use of Technology - Adapts to new technologies; troubleshoots technological problems; uses technology to increase productivity; utilizes technology and software to enhance learning.

• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly; manages area environment for safety and security.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Education and/or Experience: Associate or Bachelor degree preferred. Bachelor’s degree required for “degreed assistants” designation. Experience in working with children preferred.

• Certificates and Licenses: Must possess a New Mexico Teachers License with the New Mexico Public Education Department or be eligible to obtain one.

• Language Skills: Proficiency in expressive and receptive American Sign Language and written English. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret content in assigned area/grade level. Ability to explain foundations/advanced concepts in American Sign Language in order to support student learning. Ability to write reports, correspondence, and Individual Education Plans.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from students and parents.

• American Sign Language: Advanced American Sign Language skills at hire are required. The applicant must be proficient in receptive and expressive American Sign Language and able to adjust communication to match students’ language and communication needs. Applicants who do not possess advanced American Sign Language skills will not be considered for this position.

• Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute grades with category weights, following an established grading system.

• Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions and situations.

• Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications among other programs. Ability to utilize Smart Boards, iPads, laptops, and document readers in classroom situations.   Able to utilize web-based resources to supplement instructional materials.

• Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is required to stand; walk and sit for more than 6 hours a day while teaching classes, and use hands to sign, handle papers, and write on the board. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and peripheral vision.

• Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will work within an assigned classroom and be provided with appropriate furniture, technology, and storage space in order to complete assigned duties.

NMSD conforms to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.