American Sign Language Teacher

Job Title: High School ASL (American Sign Language) Teacher

Summary and Purpose

The ASL Teacher is responsible for delivering engaging and rigorous American Sign Language and World Languages instruction to high school students. This teacher works to develop students' receptive and expressive signing skills, fingerspelling proficiency, and non-manual grammar while building cultural competence and an appreciation for Deaf history and culture.

Key Responsibilities

Design and implement standards-based curriculum and daily lesson plans across ASL course levels in accordance with World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages, Illinois Learning Standards, and ASLTA National Standards for Learning American Sign Language.
Incorporate communicative language strategies to develop students' receptive comprehension, expressive signing, facial grammar, and visual-spatial communication skills.
Assess student content mastery and ASL proficiency using a variety of formative and summative tools (including visual, performance-based, and expressive/receptive evaluations), providing timely and constructive feedback to foster language acquisition.
Create a positive, inclusive, and culturally responsive classroom environment that encourages respectful debate, intellectual curiosity, and appreciation for diverse Deaf culture and historical viewpoints.
Collaborate regularly with World Languages Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and student support teams to align curriculum, analyze student performance data, and refine instructional strategies.
Supervise students across all instructional settings, including classrooms and common school areas.
Maintain accurate, up-to-date records of attendance, grades, and student academic progress in accordance with district guidelines and deadlines.
Communicate proactively and professionally with parents, guardians, and support staff regarding student performance, progress, and classroom expectations.

Expectations

Attend all required department meetings, schoolwide professional development, institute days, and parent-teacher conferences.
Complete all mandatory annual state and district trainings (e.g., Mandated Reporter, Faith's Law, implicit bias, CPR/AED, etc.) per district policy and Illinois law.

Qualifications

Valid State of Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with a Secondary (Grades 9–12) endorsement in World Language: American Sign Language.
High level of fluency in American Sign Language and strong content knowledge in Deaf culture, Deaf history, and visual-gestural literacy strategies.
Thorough understanding of differentiated instruction, trauma-informed practices, and equitable learning strategies for diverse student populations.
Commitment to continuous professional growth, reflective practice, and the integration of innovative teaching methodologies.

Compliance Language
? All employees must adhere to District 218 Board Policy, administrative procedures, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and all relevant Illinois laws, including teacher evaluation protocols under the Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA) and all state- mandated training requirements.

Salary & Benefits
? Placement and step on the licensed staff salary schedule will be determined by educational degree and recognized teaching experience per the CHSD 218/IEA Professional Agreement.
? Eligible for full Board-provided employee benefits (health, dental, vision, life insurance, paid sick/personal leave, and Teachers' Retirement System [TRS] contributions), subject to contract provisions.
? Additional paid stipends are available for co-curricular advising, athletic coaching, and department leadership roles under contract guidelines.