Itinerant Teacher/Teacher Consultant

Rachael Abler & Paula WadeApril 13, 2009

What is a teacher consultant/Itinerant teacher?

• A teacher who works with students that are hard of hearing or deaf.

• They travel to several different schools.• A teacher who works with students in a

variety of settings.– One School– Multiple Schools– Multiple Districts

What they do?

• An itinerant teacher of the deaf/hard of hearing generally travels around, visiting multiple deaf and hard of hearing students in local neighborhood school programs. The itinerant acts as a link between the school and family of the deaf or hard of hearing child.

• Berke, Jamie. 2009. Education - Itinerant Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Qualifications to become a TC• Masters degree with valid Michigan teaching certificate and HI

special education endorsement

• Three years of successful teaching experience

• Experience in supporting students with moderate and severe impairments

• Ability to obtain teacher consultant approval from the State of Michigan

• http://masb.mistaff.com/teacher_consultant_hearing_impaired

Daily Routine• Changes daily• Can change due to emergencies• Depends on the day

– Some days start in the office with paper work

– Prepare for meetings– Prepare for lessons

• Start at the school– Talk with teacher– Work with student

• Travel to office or another school

Weekly Routine

• Day in the office • Service Days– Work with the students– Check equipment

• Meeting Day• Meeting with children– Based on IEP

Philosophy

• An itinerant teacher fulfills many roles, a few key ones which are listed below:– Make sure student has appropriate/adequate

support services.– Monitor language development.– Monitor auditory training and use of auditory

equipment.– Tutoring as needed.– Berke, Jamie. 2009. Education - Itinerant Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Curriculum

• There is no set curriculum.• Work is based upon goals and school’s

curriculum

Ideal

Reality

Pros

• Assist student• Work on certain assignments• Support• Teach self skills• Teachers• Technology background

Cons

• Pull student out• Times to see them• teachers

IEPs

• Initial• Team Meeting• Meeting• Follow up

Lessons

• Self created• Based on IEP goals• Can relate to struggles or successes

Screening

• S.I.F.T.E.R.– Screening Instrument for Targeting Educational

Risk• Ling Sounds

Other assignments

• Struggling aspects• Pre-work• Post-work

Technology

• FM Systems• Hearing Aids• Cochlear Implants• Desktop amplifiers• Tower speakers

Travel

Drive Own Car• Responsible for upkeep• Make your office• Use your own mileage but

get reimbursed• Use own gas

District Owned Car• School district does upkeep• Have to remove supplies

each night• Use district’s mileage and

gas

Paperwork

• Initial• Assessment• IEP– Doctor information– Audiogram– Parental consent

• Report• Parent’s work• Teacher information

Resources• BOOKS FOR ITINERANT TEACHERS

– Smith, Mary Deane (1997). The Art of Itinerant Teaching for Teachers of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing .

– Bullard, Carolyn. The Itinerant Teacher's Handbook.

• Published articles:– American Annals of the Deaf has published at least two articles:– Luckner, J. & Miller, K., 2: (March), Itinerant Teachers:

Responsibilities, Perceptions, Preparation, and Students Served, volume 139, 111-118.

– Yarger, C.C., & Luckner, J.L. (1999). Itinerant Teaching: The Inside Story. volume 144(4), 309-314.

Resources• Web Resources:

– Role of the Itinerant Teacher for Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing - Page with details on the tasks and responsibilities of an itinerant teacher.

– Chotiner-Solano, Barbara. (2009). The Itinerant Connection. Retrieved on April 7, 2009 from http://deafness.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=deafness&cdn=health&tm=2&f=00&su=p284.9.336.ip_p736.8.336.ip_&tt=2&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.theitinerantconnection.com/

• This website defines itinerant teaching, and has downloadable forms for itinerant teachers.

– Durkin, Lauren, Jill Jablonski,Krystyne Kendrick, Kara Yang. Strategies for the Itinerant Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Retrieved on April 7, 2009 from http://deafness.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=deafness&cdn=health&tm=2&f=00&su=p284.9.336.ip_p736.8.336.ip_&tt=2&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.deafed.net/PublishedDocs/TCNJ%2520itinerant%2520strategies.ppt

• This is a PowerPoint presentation of advice and guidance for itinerant teachers.

– The Florida Deaf Education Professional Development Online Community . 2002. Itinerant Tools and Treasures . Retrieved on April 7, 2009 from http://deafness.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=deafness&cdn=health&tm=2&f=00&su=p284.9.336.ip_p736.8.336.ip_&tt=2&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.fsdb.k12.fl.us/rmc/training/itinerant/index.html

• The Resource Materials and Technology Center at the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind in St. Augustine suggests resources for itinerant teachers.

Mainstream Teachers’ Resources

• They don't have to do it alone, we (Itinerant TODs) are they to support the student AND support the teachers.

• Durkin, Lauren, Jill Jablonski,Krystyne Kendrick, Kara Yang. Strategies for the Itinerant Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Retrieved on April 7, 2009 from http://deafness.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=deafness&cdn=health&tm=2&f=00&su=p284.9.336.ip_p736.8.336.ip_&tt=2&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.deafed.net/PublishedDocs/TCNJ%2520itinerant%2520strategies.ppt

ReferencesAll Educational Articles or Informative Information

• Berke, Jamie. 2009. Education - Itinerant Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Retrieved on April 7, 2009 from http://deafness.about.com/cs/schooling/a/itinerant.htm.

• Durkin, Lauren, Jill Jablonski,Krystyne Kendrick, Kara Yang. Strategies for the Itinerant Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Retrieved on April 7, 2009 from http://deafness.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=deafness&cdn=health&tm=2&f=00&su=p284.9.336.ip_p736.8.336.ip_&tt=2&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.deafed.net/PublishedDocs/TCNJ%2520itinerant%2520strategies.ppt

• Moores, Donald. 2008. Inclusion, Itinerant Teachers, and the Pull-out Model. Retrieved from April 7, 2009 from http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/american_annals_of_the_deaf/v153/153.3.moores.html (Electronic Version)

• Nett, Kathy. What is an Itinerant Teacher?. Retrieved from April 7, 2009 from lms.spasd.k12.wi.us/gems/khnett/WHATISANITINERANTTEACHEROFTH.doc (Electronic Version)

• Reed, Suzanne. 2002. Beliefs and Practices of Itinerant Teachers of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children Concerning Literacy Development . Retrieved on April 7, 2009 from http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/american_annals_of_the_deaf/v148/148.4reed.html (Election Version)