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What is a deaf teacher and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Diana Jones

The responsibility of a deaf teacher can differ depending on the employer. Generally, they have to establish a learning environment that meets the physical, cognitive, cultural, and communication needs of the child. They also develop and implement strategies and appropriate resources that support the needs of the student. Not just this, but they keep data on the student's progress in achieving social, academic, and functional goals. As a deaf teacher, you prepare long-term plans and daily lesson plans.

A deaf teacher can work in a separate class or as a resource teacher in a special or general education classroom. The minimum educational requirement for this position is a bachelor's degree in deaf education or any related degree. Candidates must also possess state teaching certification. You must be familiar with hearing aids and cochlear implants. You must also be able to interpret audiograms and you need communication skills. Deaf teachers make an average salary of $46,883 yearly.

What general advice would you give to a deaf teacher?

Dr. Diana JonesDr. Diana Jones LinkedIn profile

Chair, Department of Kinesiology, Anderson University

General advice: I would encourage graduates to find a mentor who can guide them in their careers, stay on top of the latest technology, not be too hard on themselves, be flexible, be team players, be present, and care about their students.
ScoreDeaf TeacherUS Average
Salary
4.3

Avg. Salary $55,553

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.6

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.7
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.52%

Asian 3.65%

Black or African American 9.71%

Hispanic or Latino 12.52%

Unknown 3.91%

White 69.69%

Gender

female 86.83%

male 13.17%

Age - 42
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42
Stress level
7.6

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.5

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.3

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Deaf teacher career paths

Key steps to become a deaf teacher

  1. Explore deaf teacher education requirements

    Most common deaf teacher degrees

    Bachelor's

    63.5 %

    Master's

    30.4 %

    Associate

    2.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific deaf teacher skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Professional Development22.98%
    IEP11.29%
    DHH11.25%
    Hearing Loss6.56%
    Core Curriculum5.64%
  3. Research deaf teacher duties and responsibilities

    • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
    • Maintain and troubleshot FM units, hearing aids and other assistive listening devices on a daily basis.
    • Direct instruction in self-advocacy, language and literacy development, ASL skills, transition planning and auditory skills.
    • Develop IEP's and individualize lesson plans for students receiving supplemental instruction in the mathematics content area.
  4. Prepare your deaf teacher resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your deaf teacher resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a deaf teacher resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable deaf teacher resume templates

    Build a professional deaf teacher resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your deaf teacher resume.
    Deaf Teacher Resume
    Deaf Teacher Resume
    Deaf Teacher Resume
    Deaf Teacher Resume
    Deaf Teacher Resume
    Deaf Teacher Resume
    Deaf Teacher Resume
    Deaf Teacher Resume
    Deaf Teacher Resume
  5. Apply for deaf teacher jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a deaf teacher job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first deaf teacher job

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Average deaf teacher salary

The average deaf teacher salary in the United States is $55,553 per year or $27 per hour. Deaf teacher salaries range between $43,000 and $71,000 per year.

Average deaf teacher salary
$55,553 Yearly
$26.71 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do deaf teachers rate their job?

-/5

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Deaf teacher reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2022
Pros

Kids, teaching lessons, co-teachers, hours, weekends off, salary, holidays off, summers off, paid sick and personal days

Cons

Administration, observations, being told what to teach and HOW to teach it, expecting us to participate in things we might not want to or have the time for, staff meetings with no substance


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020
Cons

Some students' non-challant attitude towards learning.

Pros

Ability to share knowledge and guide students in learning new things.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros

I am a classical dance teacher and I can easily relate all the mudras involved in dance to the gestures used in sign languages to teach such students.

Cons

I like everything but i need more clear knowledge about the qualifications required to become a teacher to them.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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