About this role
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.