Special Education Teacher

THE AMERICAN SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF

ANNOUNCES AN OPENING FOR

Teacher

CLOSING DATE: Open Until filled

UPDATED: 06/01/2025

POSTED: 07/18/2026

The American School for the Deaf (ASD) is the oldest school for the deaf, founded in 1817 by Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc. The American School for the Deaf is committed to serving deaf and hard of hearing infants, youth, and their families in development of intellect and the enhancement of quality of life utilizing specially designed instruction through an American Sign Language and English Bilingual Approach, empowering them to become educated and self-directed life-long learners.

 ASD is located in West Hartford, a town recognized as one of the top ten towns for raising families. West Hartford residents value education, evidenced by the high quality of public and private schools. There is also much to do in West Hartford. There is a wide array of parks and recreation. There are pools and hiking trails. There are historic sites to visit as well. If shopping is on the list, then Blue Back Square, located in the center of town, offers many retail stores and a variety of restaurants to satisfy everyone.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position:         Teacher

Department:  Education 

Supervisor:    Director(s) of Education/Principal 

Description:  10 months – Benefits eligible

Union Status: Collective Bargaining Unit (Union)

SCOPE OF DUTIES

Under the supervision of the departmental principal, instructs Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. 

PRIMARY DUTIES 

• Provides specially designed instruction to students.
• Teaches a variety of academic subjects.
• Prepares appropriate materials and lesson plans.
• Writes report cards, progress reports and other documents, as needed.
• Assists in developing and implementing I.E.P.s and participates in PPT and team meetings.
• Evaluates and reports on student performance using evidence-based assessments.
• Participates in school curriculum development.
• Implements behavior intervention plans.
• Participates in staff development.
• Directs the work of Teacher Aides and/or Residential Counselors in the classroom.
• Instruct students using an ASL/English Bilingual approach.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to work in a collaborative team setting. 
• Proficient with planning and preparing effective lesson plans and integrated units.
• Ability to differentiate instructional methods and assessments for students.
• Ability to ensure a safe and supportive place to learn with clear routines and expectations.
• Ability to manage student behavior; ability to anticipate potential issues and redirect or de-escalate behavior
• Master’s Degree in Education of the Deaf or Special Education, and appropriate State of CT Teacher Certification; (057 and/or 065) preferred.
• Ability or willingness to learn to communicate effectively using American Sign Language (ASL). ASLPI rated preferred.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

• Group health insurance and other fringe benefits are available.
• $1000 sign on bonus after one year of service for newly hired employees, not applicable for re-hires.

Why you should teach at ASD 

ASD provides highly specialized instruction tailored to students' individual learning needs and full access to language, communication, learning, and community through a bilingual and multilingual approach where ASL, English, and the student’s primary language are embraced and supported. We offer low student-to-teacher ratios, enabling teachers to provide targeted interventions and individualized support within their instruction. Our learning environment integrates accessible communication, a school wide curriculum, PBIS interventions and supports, and meaningful community connections to help students develop confidence, independence, communication and/or language competence and a strong sense of belonging. 

In addition, ASD offers low student-to-teacher ratios, enabling teachers to provide targeted interventions and individualized support within their instruction. Finally, teachers collaborate with on-site multidisciplinary teams in a collaborative environment to implement individualized educational programs (IEPs) using evidence-based instructional and therapeutic practices.

More about us

The American School for the Deaf (ASD) is the oldest permanent school for the deaf in the United States and provides comprehensive educational, clinical, and residential services to students who are Deaf, Deafblind, Hard of Hearing, Deaf with autism, and Deaf with additional disabilities from pre-kindergarten through age 22. ASD offers two specialized educational programs: the Core Program, which uses a literacy-based approach to promote language development and academic achievement, and the PACES Program, a therapeutic educational program that includes behavioral and Autism expansion programs for students requiring intensive behavioral, social-emotional, communication, and individualized educational intervention and supports. Instruction is delivered through American Sign Language (ASL), spoken English, or a bilingual approach based on each student's communication needs, with a focus on academic success, independence, and preparation for postsecondary education, employment, and community living.

American Sign Language (ASL) is the language of instruction and a bilingual approach in each classroom is tailored to each student's communication needs, not limited to ASL and English in print, but also include additional communication means such as Spoken English, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), and/or the use of argumentative alternative communication (AAC).

ASD is ALL ways able. If you require an accommodation to apply for this position, please contact the Human Resources Department. 

The American School for the Deaf does not discriminate on the basis of an individual's age, ancestry, color, genetic information, learning disability, marital status, past or present history of mental disability, intellectual disability, national origin, physical disability, race, religious creed, sex (including pregnancy, transgender status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or civil union status) work place hazards to reproductive systems, and criminal record (in state employment and licensing). 

All applicants will be screened, and the most highly qualified applicants will be invited to interview.