TITLE: Speech Therapist
QUALIFICATIONS: Valid Kentucky Certification
REPORTS TO: Director of Special Education and Principals
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:
- Maintains at all times an orderly learning atmosphere and keeps the Principal and Director of Special Education fully informed of the speech-language program’s activities and problems.
- Conducts speech and language screening for students referred by teachers, parents, or other school personnel.
- Conducts speech and language screenings for all students referred for placement in special education programs.
- Conducts hearing screenings as a part of the screening process.
- Conducts and completes collaboratively with other teachers/administrators all required elements for enrollment of students in the speech-language program and three-year evaluation of students enrolled in the program, including: behavioral observations; all elements of complete speech-language evaluation and written assessment reports; due process paperwork; attendance at SBARC meetings (and arrangement for the meetings for “speech only” students) to consult with parents and teachers regarding test results and recommendations; development and maintenance of individualized plans (IEP’s) for all students enrolled.
- Consults with school-based consultants, psychologists, and other related staff regarding information related to educational and psychological testing.
- Prepares ongoing individualized lesson plans selects individualized teaching material for all students on the caseload.
- Provides re-mediation to all students on assigned caseload.
- Evaluates the progress of each child enrolled in the speech-language program.
- Maintains progress logs to be transferred to the IEP for student on caseload.
- Develops and maintains a daily schedule with the priorities of minimal disruption to academic schedules and special class schedules for maximum use of therapy time.
- Schedules classes for instruction geared toward specific IEP objectives and strives to discover specific teaching techniques that will prove most beneficial with each individual student served.
- Devises and experiments with a variety of innovative instructional techniques (with priority being given to the IEP objectives) consistent with the needs and capabilities of each student with impaired learning ability involved.
- Manages allotted learning time to maximize student achievement.
- Establishes and maintains standards of individual student behavior with district/SBDM policies.
- Counsels students in identifying and dealing with their academic and/or handicapping condition.
- Maintains contact with parents for on-going intervention and progress.
- Takes an active part in the professional development program of the school and the district, and participates in the planning and evaluation of the school’s curriculum and extra-curricular activities through membership on various district and SBDM Council committees.
- Maintains professional competence through professional development activities provided by the district and/or consortia, and through self-selected professional growth activities.
- Works cooperatively with the administration, other teachers, support personnel, and the SBDM Council in planning instructional goals, objectives, methods, and evaluation.
- Collaborates with other professionals (guidance counselors, librarians, etc.) to carry out school-wide instructional or related activities; coordinates instructional activities and collaborates with other professional staff, both school-based and non-school-based, to maximize learning opportunities.
- Consults with teachers regarding the status of students referred for a speech, language, hearing screening, those enrolled in the speech-language program, those being evaluated for placement in the speech-language program, and those for whom classroom intervention is appropriate.
- Serve as a resource to the regular classroom teacher(s) in the development of a balanced program.
- Works cooperatively with classroom teachers, interpreting the abilities and disabilities and assisting with regular class assignments, including the implementation of IEP goals and curriculum relating to the student’s daily activities.
- Creates a safe, disciplined, and effective environment for learning.
- Takes all necessary and reasonable precaution to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
- Assumes responsibility for requisitioning and maintaining needed equipment and supplies after consulting the Director of Special Education.
- Maintains proper inventories non-expendable school supplies, materials, and equipment assigned to the classroom.
- Assists in upholding and enforcing school rules, administrative regulation, Board of Education policies, and SBDM Council policies.
- Completes monthly and final end-of-year data reports.
- Shares duties of the school as assigned by the Principal, and supervises pupils in out-of-classroom activities during the assigned work day.
- Observes the Board approved “chain of command” in airing grievances and in communicating suggestions for improving school operations.
- Attends faculty meetings and Parent/Teacher Organization meetings and serves on staff/district and SBDM Council meetings on request of staff.
- Participates in school-based decision making, including electing teacher Council representatives, serving on Council and providing input and feedback on all matters relating to the operation of the school in his/her building.
- Supports or participates in school-wide student activities and social events and approved fund-raising activities if applicable.
- Always maintains the highest professional standards in personal conduct.
- Maintains prompt and regular attendance.
- Performs related duties and assumes other responsibilities as may be assigned by the Principal, Director of Special Education, or the Superintendent.