LANGUAGE ACQUISITION SUPPORT WORKER (LASW)
Gold River Worksite
Under the direction of the Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and under the supervision of the principal(s) and the Director of Instruction (Student Learning), the Language Acquisition Support Worker (LASW) provides educational support services by modeling American Sign Language (ASL) for students who are Deaf/hard of hearing who are learning to communicate using ASL; facilitating communication between the students and their peers; teaching ASL to students and staff; and providing educational support services and materials for school teams in the district. They will be working with Deaf/hard of hearing K-12 students in one-on-one, small group, and whole class environments.
Effective September 3, 2024, this appointment has a flexible schedule equal to five and a half (5.50) hours per day (adjusted as required for the School Calendar), when students are in regular attendance. After successful completion of a 45-work day probationary period, the incumbent will become a regular employee and eligible for the Employee Benefit Program as outlined in the Collective Agreement between School District 84 and CUPE Local 2769. ___________________________________________________________________________________
Duties
- ASL instruction for deaf and hard of hearing students
- Teaching ASL to students and staff
- Language modelling and language coaching
- Materials preparation
- Transportation of students to and from various program activities
- Protecting and respecting the confidentiality of information.
Essential Qualifications
- Grade 12 education or the equivalent.
- Post-secondary training in education, special education, or in a related, helping profession field equal or equivalent to a one-year certificate; AND,
- Native fluency in ASL (i.e., Level 4 or higher on the ASL Proficiency Interview, as assessed by the Sign Language Institute of Canada)
- Experience working with early language learners
- Competency in English (emails, texting, planning, reading children's books and educational texts)
- Experience in an educational environment or related experience would be considered an asset
- Knowledge of child and language development
- Language modeling and language coaching (supporting DHH students with receptive and expressive ASL)
- Ability to adjust the signing, education and communication levels required, in accordance with students' needs
- Ability to be flexible in order to meet the varying academic, social, emotional and behavioural needs of students
- Clear and consistent documentation of skills worked on
- Developing and implementing lessons that are inclusive of diverse learners (i.e., Deaf-blind)
- Ability to work harmoniously as a member of an inter-disciplinary team of professionals and paraprofessionals
- Ability to function in an English educational setting
- Comfortable with technology and/or willingness to learn
- Developing resources interpreting English resources (e.g. picture books) into ASL videos
- Record and edit videos
- Physical capability to perform the job duties.
- Valid BC driver's license
Preferred Qualifications
- Post-secondary studies in Deaf education, special education or child development would be considered an asset
- ASL instructor certification and/or Deaf interpreter training would be considered an asset
The rate of pay for a Language Acquisition Support Worker (LASW) is $33.37 per hour. Employment is subject to an approved Criminal Record Check.
Inquiries can be directed to the Director of Instruction at slarre@viw.sd84.bc.ca or at 250-283-2241, Local 2.
The District will only be accepting applications via the above links. Emailed and/or paper copy applications will not be accepted. If you require any assistance with your application, please contact hr@viw.sd84.bc.ca
The successful applicant may be required to complete short on-line courses related to health and safety prior to the commencement of this assignment. Information will be provided.