Temporary - American Sign Language Tutor

Temporary - American Sign Language Tutor Position Overview

KU’s Wingspan:
Center for Learning and Writing Support is partnering with KU Edwards Campus to provide tutoring for students of the American Sign Language & Deaf Studies program. Wingspan offers a portfolio of collaborative, innovative academic support programs and services to students, faculty, and staff. Wingspan provides individual and group support through its Peer Academic Coaching program, Supplemental Instruction (SI) program, Learning and Tutoring Services, and Writing Center Services.

The University of Kansas Edwards Campus is located in Overland Park, KS, strategically placed to bring permanent growth and education to the greater Kansas City area by providing courses to working professionals, transfer students, and international students. While classes can be held at any time during the day, most classes are held in the evenings between 4pm and 9pm. Located on the Edwards Campus is the American Sign Language and Deaf Studies program, a part of the School of Professional Studies.

This program offers both bachelor's degrees and master's certificates where students learn about Deaf culture, and issues in Deaf education while also helping advance their ASL proficiency.

The ASL Tutor will deliver one‑to‑one tutoring at KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park, KS, providing academic support in American Sign Language and related course content to KU students. Delivery of tutoring content will take place both in person (drop‑in and by appointment on Edwards Campus) and virtually via Zoom. Zoom appointments will also be made available to any KU student in need of support, including students of the Special Education program, which offers 4 ASL courses.

To meet student needs, tutoring hours will mostly take place in the evenings Mondays through Thursdays, though virtual appointments on the weekends may be a future request depending on tutor’s availability. Effective ASL tutoring may include recording sessions for the benefit of students.

70% Provide academic support to students learning ASL and interpreting, including assisting with competency areas of struggle and self‑analysis. Methods include face‑to‑face meetings with undergraduate and graduate students at Edwards Campus and virtually with students at other KU campuses. Tutoring may be 1‑on‑1 with students or in a group setting.

10% Participate in ongoing tutor education and development. Tutor professional development means achieving Level 1 certification through KU’s partnership with CRLA within 12 months, which involves asynchronous and synchronous training provided by employees of Wingspan. Achieving Level 2 after that is optional but highly encouraged. Occasional observation of appointments by Wingspan professionals and others will also provide helpful feedback for further professional development.

10% Participate in ongoing partnerships with the American Sign Language & Deaf Studies program to ensure that tutoring remains effective for supporting students. Occasionally attending an ASLD class at the Edwards campus to learn more about instruction and expectations and to support learning may be required. Occasionally leading ASL academic support events may also be requested.

5% Maintain an organized, orderly, positive, and safe learning environment. Complete administrative tasks related to tutoring.

5% Other duties as assigned. This may include leading ASL academic support events for students.

Onsite, Future possibility for hybrid

• High school diploma or GED.
• Fluent in ASL, as evidenced in application materials.
• Experience tutoring and/or teaching ASL, as evidenced in application materials.
• Familiarity with common ASL curriculum (ex. Signing Naturally, True Way ASL).
• Experience providing constructive feedback regarding language competencies, as evidenced in application materials.

• Associate or bachelor's degree
• College coursework related to ASL linguistics, ASL discourse analysis, etc, as evidenced in application materials.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, as evidenced in application materials.
• Ability to work with various student populations, as evidenced in application materials.