ANTICIPATED Speech Language Pathologist 26-27 school year

Meridian CUSD 223 is seeking an ANTICIPATED Speech-Language Pathologist to service the District.



MERIDIAN COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 223
JOB DESCRIPTION
SPEECH THERAPIST

Position Title: Speech Therapist
Reports to: Building Administration 

Mission Statement of District:
To instruct and assist students to be self-directed learners, collaborative workers, complex thinkers, quality producers and community contributors.

Qualifications:
1) Valid and properly registered Professional Educator License, issued by the Illinois State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, with appropriate endorsement(s) for specific teaching assignment
2) Evidence of physical fitness and freedom from communicable disease
3) Successful completion of criminal background check

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Possess effective oral and written communication skills
• Able to comprehend and follow written and verbal instructions 
• Physically and emotionally able to perform job responsibilities
• Skilled in the use of office computer equipment, related software applications, and other standard office machines
• Able to gather data, compile information, prepare reports and use to improve performance
• Able to make procedural decisions and judgments
• Able to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community
• Able to attend to detail
• Able to perform multiple concurrent tasks
• Able to set goals and establish methods for achieving these goals
• Knowledge in content area and accompanying pedagogy
• Knowledge of resources available to best support personal and student growth

Responsibilities and Duties:
• Implement the District's philosophy of education and instructional goals and objectives.
• Create a classroom environment conducive to learning and student growth and appropriate to the physical, social, and emotional development of students.
• Establish and maintain high standards and expectations for academic performance and student behavior needed to achieve a positive learning atmosphere in the classroom.
• Establish effective and professional rapport with students and parents that earns their respect.
• Motivate students to develop skills, attitudes and knowledge needed to provide a good foundation for learning in accordance with each student's ability.
• Meet and instruct assigned classes/student(s) in the location and at the time designated and complete duties in a timely manner.
• Make adequate preparation for daily instruction, including plans for substitutes, and provide for individualized and small group instruction in order to adapt the curriculum to the needs of each student.
• Select and requisition textbooks, instructional aids, uniforms, and equipment; maintain required inventory records.
• Guide the learning process toward the achievement of curriculum goals by:
a. Establishing and communicating clear objectives to students.
b. Gathering information and data about students to improve instructional performance.
c. Setting instructional outcomes of high rigor aligned with overall instructional goals and standards.
d. Monitoring student progress to inform instruction. Consistently assesses student achievement through formal and informal testing.
e. Asking effective and appropriate questions to deepen student learning, allowing them to make connections, and critically think.
f. Engaging students in critical learning.
g. Creating a classroom culture reflecting high expectations and the importance of learning.
h. Keeping students engaged to the task at hand consistently.
i. Designing coherent instruction by coordinating knowledge of content, students, and resources.
j. Designing student assessments to align with instructional outcomes that can be used to measure student growth from pre- to post-assessment.
k. Participating actively in a Professional Learning Community with colleagues by:
i. Attending staff meetings and in-service meetings as required.
ii. Creating, sharing, and analyzing data with team or departmental colleagues.
iii. Actively engage in district, building, and team-level committees and participate in district/building initiatives.
iv. Participating in curriculum development programs and in the selection of materials and equipment to support instruction.
• Report suspected child abuse/neglect cases as required by statute and board policy and notify immediately appropriate personnel of evidence of substance abuse, child abuse, child neglect, severe medical or social conditions, potential suicide or individuals appearing to be under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or anabolic steroids 
• Work cooperatively with other school personnel in the identification, diagnosis, referral and remediation of individual students with specialized needs, assessing and helping students solve health, attitude, and learning problems.
• Attend IEP and 504 meetings.
• Meet with students, parents, administrators, and/or consultants.
• Create a stimulating, attractive, organized, functional, healthy, effective and safe classroom, with proper attention to the visual, acoustic, and thermal environments; including functional and attractive displays, bulletin boards and interest centers.
• Display the highest ethical and professional behavior and standards when working with students, parents, school personnel, and other agencies associated with the school. 
• Develop career planning and workplace readiness skills in all students.
• Use technology, information, and other tools. 
• Use critical thinking, decision-making, and problem solving skills.
• Demonstrate self- management and coordination skills and effectively organize a variety of materials, equipment, media, and community resources to support the instructional program, using school-approved procedures. 
• Assess and diagnose the learning, social, and emotional needs and styles of students, using a variety of assessment techniques and data. Plan and adjust the learning experiences accordingly, requesting advice and assistance from specialists when appropriate. 
• Assist with the preparation, monitoring, and following of Individualized Education Plans for selected students assigned to the class. 
• Employ a variety of methods for students to demonstrate learning and accomplishments.
• Evaluate and grade homework, assignments, and tests in a timely fashion, providing feedback to the student on performance. Maintain records and provide evidence of growth and progress to parents and students. 
• Assume responsibility for all students within the school, beyond those specifically assigned, supervising in a fair and constructive manner to ensure the safety and well-being of all students both in/out of class and/or building activities. 
• Assist with extra-curricular activities, supporting the total program of the school. Instruct, advise, coach, and supervise extra-curricular activities, including interscholastic and intramural sports, academic competition, and fine art programs, as defined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement. 
• Attend student events to demonstrate genuine interest in the life of the students. 
• Ensure the safety and health of all students, notifying the administration of any unsafe conditions, following established procedures. 
• Maintain accurate records and complete records and reports and other documentation in a timely fashion as required by law and regulation or building/department or as requested by the Principal or designee. Maintain accurate attendance records.
• Serve as a role model for students and staff in demonstrating positive attitudes, appropriate attire and grooming and effective work ethic.
• Maintain positive, cooperative, and mutually supportive relationships with the administration, instructional staff, students, parents, and representatives of resource agencies within the community. 
• Continue to grow professionally through collaboration with colleagues and professional growth experiences. Summarize, interpret, and disseminate current developments in learning, instructional strategies and classroom management through reading of professional journals, participation in professional development, and involvement in professional organizations. 
• Complete the required professional learning to keep licensure current.
• Participate cooperatively with the appropriate administrator to develop the method by which the teacher will be evaluated in conformance with guidelines.
• Protect confidentiality of records and information gained as part of exercising professional duties in accordance with the law and Board policies . 
• Plan a program of study within the curriculum that meets the individual needs, interests, and abilities of the students.
• Make adequate preparation for daily instruction.
• Employ a variety of instructional techniques and instructional media, consistent with the location provided and the needs and capabilities of the students.
• Screen students for possible speech/language impairments upon initial entry to the school. Communicate results of the screening to students' parents.
• Evaluate and assess student needs using approved testing instruments.
• Complete speech/language case-study evaluations to determine possible eligibility for speech therapy services.
• Confer with multidisciplinary participants (parents, administrators, school psychologist, social worker, teachers, and others) to develop individual educational programs.
• Complete students' IEPs and subsequent reports. Develops goals and objectives for individual students.
• Provide speech therapy for students in compliance with the provision noted on the individual student's IEP.
• Participate in the early childhood screening process for Eswood Elementary School District children ages 3-5 years.
• Consult on an ongoing basis with other appropriate school personnel regarding individual students' progress, concerns, etc.
• Develop and utilize augmentative communication devices and techniques as necessary for individual students.
• Instruct students in various forms of communication such as gestures, sig n language, finger spelling, and speech cues.
• Encourage students to participate verbally in classroom learning experiences to ensure their comprehension of subject matter, development of social skills, and ability to communicate in situations encountered in daily living.
• Communicate with parents on a regular basis regarding the performance and progress of their child.
• Discuss with parents how to participate in and enhance students' learning experiences.
• Be knowledgeable of and adhere to contractual obligations and the law and regulations, including but not limited to, the Illinois School Code, State Board of Education rules and regulations, Board of Education policies and regulations, school regulations and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:
The physical demands and work environment described below 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 the job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee regularly is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Other physical demands of the positions include: regular bending, squatting, kneeling, twisting/turning/balancing, reaching above shoulder/outward, and typing/keyboarding.

In the work environment, the employee is regularly exposed to video display and regularly works in typical interior/office environmental conditions. The employee works as designated through a collective bargaining agreement. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Term of Employment: As designated through collective bargaining agreement

FLSA Status: Exempt

Evaluation: As designated through collective bargaining agreement and Teacher Evaluation Plan

The statements in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work to be performed by (an) individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities related to the position. This job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity and School Board Policy and procedures. Job functions are subject to modification.

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