TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
Length of position: 197 contract days
Hours:
Salary: Based on education and experience in accordance with Austin Independent School District salary schedule.
SUMMARY:
Works with teachers and other educators to build and strengthen connections between student information and research needs, curricular content, learning outcomes, and information resources. Provides leadership and expertise in the selection, acquisition, evaluation, and organization of information resources and technologies in all formats, as well as expertise in the ethical use of information. Empowers students to become critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, and ethical users of information, Works collaboratively with members of the learning community to define the goals of the school library program, and to guide and direct all activities related to it.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Leader
As a leader, the school librarian creates an environment where collaboration and creative problem-solving thrive. The school librarian is an excellent communicator who instills enthusiasm in others by making them feel that they are important members of a team. Strong leaders foster an environment of creativity, innovation, and openness to new ideas, welcoming and encouraging input from others to create consensus. They anticipate future obstacles and continually retool to meet challenges. The school librarian demonstrates his or her role as a visible and active leader within the school community, and a professional member of the school library community by:
Modeling effective strategies for developing multiple literacies.
Understanding the skills of the 21st century learner.
Taking an active role in organizing and promoting literacy projects and events that engage learners and motivate them to become lifelong readers.
Remaining current in professional practices and developments, information technologies, and educational research applicable to school library programs.
Instructional Partner
As an instructional partner the school librarian works with teachers and other educators to build and strengthen connections between student information and research needs, curricular content, learning outcomes, and information resources. The school librarian demonstrates his or her role as an essential and equal partner in the instructional process by:
Joining with teachers and others to plan and implement meaningful experiences that will promote a love of reading and lifelong learning
Participating in the school curriculum development process to ensure the curricula include the full range of literacy skills needed to meet content standards and to develop lifelong learners.
Providing and plan professional development opportunities within the school
Information Specialist
As an information specialist, the school librarian provides leadership and expertise in the selection, acquisition, evaluation, and organization of information resources and technologies in all formats, as well as expertise in the ethical use of information. The school librarian ensures equitable access and responsible use of information by:
Developing and maintaining a collection of resources appropriate to the curriculum, ASL and English bilingual learners, and the teaching styles and instructional strategies used within the school
Organizing the collection for maximum and effective use.
Collecting and analyzi data to improve instruction and to demonstrate correlations between the school library program and student achievement
Encouraging the use of instructional technology to engage students and to improve learning, providing access to digital information resources for the learning community
Teacher
As a teacher, the school librarian empowers students to become critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, and ethical users of information. The school librarian supports students’ success by:
Supporting academic interventions, including but not limited to individual instructional plans, accelerated instruction and/or classroom instruction.
Collaborating with teachers and students to design and teach engaging inquiry and learning experiences and assessments that incorporate multiple literacies and foster critical thinking
Participating in the implementation of collaboratively planned learning experiences by providing group and individual instruction, assessing student progress, and evaluating activities
Program Administrator
As program administrator, the school librarian works collaboratively with members of the learning community to define the policies of the school library program and to guide and direct all activities related to it. The school librarian maximizes the efficiency and effectiveness of the school library program by:
Ensuring the school library program is aligned to school strategic plans and the state and national program standards.
Conducting ongoing action research and evaluation that creates data that is used to inform continuous program improvement.
Ensuring equitable physical access to school library facilities by providing barrier-free, universally designed environments.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Must have Texas Deaf Education Certification
Master’s degree in deaf education, special education, library science, reading, curriculum and instruction, or other related field.
Must have at least two years of classroom teaching experience
Valid Texas certification as a school librarian or reading specialist or the ability to obtain a valid Texas certification/Masters within a prescribed time frame.
Sign Language: The ultimate required proficiency level for the position using the levels designated in the Signed Communication Proficiency Interview (SCPI) is ADVANCED. If hired with a sign language proficiency level below this level, you are required to participate in signed communication learning opportunities on a regular basis until you have achieved the sign language proficiency level assigned to your position. Must have at least minimum level of ADVANCED.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Experience working in a Deaf bilingual classroom
Experience working with students with additional disabilities
Knowledgeable about Demonstration of professional development in ASL and English bilingual education
Knowledge of research-based methodologies for reading/writing instruction
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to professionally interface with students, parents, staff and administration
Two or more years of English/Language Arts Education and Intervention in a classroom setting for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students
Experience in conducting educational assessments and development of literacy/intervention programs
Fluency in the ASL/English bi-lingual modality with in-depth knowledge of its impact on the language arts component of an education program
Working knowledge of curriculum design and implementation, particularly as it relates to the integration of information literacy and technology within the context of content curriculum
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES/ATTRIBUTES
Instructional Knowledge— knowledge of content; instructional methodologies, classroom management
Problem solving—the individual identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
Effective Communication—the individual must be able to appropriately communicate with colleagues, students, parents, families, administrators, supervisors, and the public.
Planning/organizing—the individual prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently, and develops realistic action plans.
Quality control—the individual demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness and monitors own work to ensure quality.
Dependability—the individual is consistently at work and on time, follows instructions, responds to management direction and solicits feedback to improve performance.
Safety and security—the individual actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures, and uses equipment and materials properly.
Interpersonal Skills—the individual maintains confidentiality, remains open to others’ ideas and exhibits willingness to try new things.
SUPERVISOR
Director of Instruction in collaboration with Department Principals
MILITARY OCCUPATION SPECIALTY (MOS) CODE
None equivalent for Teacher T023; for Librarian III see page 2 of http://www.hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_LibraryandRecords.pdf
It is the Texas School for the Deaf’s (TSD) policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, political affiliation or belief, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. TSD expressly prohibits any form of workplace discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. Retaliation against individuals who oppose unlawful discrimination or participate in an employment discrimination proceeding is also prohibited. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, firing, promotions, training, wages, and benefits. In addition to federal law requirements, TSD complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.