Teacher Visually Impaired

JOB TITLE Teacher – Visually Impaired (FT & PT) PROGRAM AREA Center for Teaching and Learning/Related Services SUPERVISION NEEDED FOR JOB Duties will be performed under the general supervision of a Student Services Supervisor QUALIFICATIONS •Ohio Department of Education license as an Intervention Specialist or certificate/license for Education of the Handicapped K-12 •Vision Handicapped or Vision Impaired endorsement JOB SUMMARYThe Teacher of the Visually Impaired provides educational support and consultation services to blind and vision impaired students in collaboration with district personnel. The Teacher of the Visually Impaired provides both direct services to students and consulting services to the student’s classroom teachers, other personnel, and hearing students. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS - Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. •Provide an evaluation of student needs; select appropriate, non-discriminatory screening and assessment tools •Interpret assessment information to teachers, students and parents •Provide consultation to children, parents, teachers, and administrators regarding the needs of students who are blind/vision impaired •Provide technology support to students and personnel using assistive devices •Provide services for students who have differing communication styles •Provide early intervention services for preschool students and staff upon request •Provide support for instructional assistants and note takers •Meet regularly with the support team and provide support staff with appropriate materials and information about current best practices for blind/vision impaired students •Provide direct instruction to blind/vision impaired students to support IEP goals in the following areas – auditory skills, vocabulary, language development and reading •Monitor students’ progress in academic subjects and provide instruction in compensatory skills as needed in the areas the students may have difficulty with as a result of the vision impairment. (This does not include tutoring in subject areas once materials and methods have been modified to accommodate the vision loss) •Provide direct instruction in Braille reading and writing •Provide direct instruction in use of low vision devices; abacus, typing/keyboarding, adaptive devices (e.g. computers, note takers, tape recorders), listening skills, visual efficiency, concept development, daily living/self-help skills, career readiness, leisure and recreation skills, social skills, organizational and study skills, and self-advocacy •Participate in IEP/ETR meetings for students served; coordinate planning for instructional and behavioral strategies with the IEP team •Assist in modifications of the educational environment for students who are blind/vision impaired •Participates in school Intervention Assistance Team meetings on request •Provide in-services to school personnel and members of the community regarding the needs of blind/vision impaired students •Acts as resource person for classroom teachers regarding strategies, adaptations, assessments and resource materials for blind/vision impaired students •Maintain accurate and complete student records and records of provided services; prepare and submit all required reports •Seek opportunities to improve skills and grow professionally; attend all required meetings and in-services KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES •Knowledge of the Ohio Operating Standards for the Education of Children with Disabilities •Knowledge of FERPA and HIPPA •Knowledge of IEP development •Knowledge of assistive communication devices •Knowledge of current educational issues and best practices •Knowledge of effective intervention strategies •Knowledge of mandated assessment tools •Knowledge of community agencies that can support students with vision disabilities •Knowledge of classroom management techniques •Knowledge of problem solving processes and creative thinking skills •Ability to use technology as both a productivity tool and as a method of communication; proficient in computer applications including Microsoft Office •Ability to provide Braille instruction •Ability to adapt curriculum to fit the needs of blind/vision impaired students •Ability to maintain accurate student records •Ability to assess students and develop appropriate education plans •Ability to analyze and interpret assessment data •Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing •Ability to maintain confidentiality •Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with students, teacher’s co-workers, administrators, and public •Ability to work with teachers and students to demonstrate ways of supporting students in the regular classroom •Skill in effective group and individual counseling, family intervention, crisis intervention, development of home/school collaboration •Ability to work with team to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate program progress and implement changes PHYSICAL DEMANDS - While performing duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: •Stand for periods of time, move around the work site, move from one work site to another, sit at a desk •Stoop, kneel or crouch to assist students •Occasionally lift and/or move materials up to fifty pounds •Communicate with internal and external stakeholders by talking and listening •Operate a computer and other technology devices •Read and analyze data (close visual acuity) WORK ENVIRONMENT •Noise level may escalate in group or event settings. •May include exposure to disease and infections. •Exposure to inclement weather when traveling from one work site to another •May be required to deal with students with behavioral risks •May require local/regional/statewide travel •May also require attendance at meetings outside of regular work hours (e.g. early morning, evening). •Involves stress as a result of the responsibility to ensure that laws, regulations and procedural rules are followed, the responsibility of dealing with individual student concerns and maintaining student discipline, and the demands of maintaining effective communication with other staff members, students and parents. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS •Remain free of any alcohol or nonprescribed controlled substance in the workplace throughout his/her employment at the ESC of Lake Erie West •Complete a satisfactory background check •Possess a valid driver’s license or have transportation •Review the ESC Staff Handbook as well as Board Policy to understand job expectations •This job description is subject to change and in no manner states or implies that these are the only duties and responsibilities to be performed by the employee. The employee will be required to follow the instructions and perform duties required by the employee’s supervisor and/or Superintendent. PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONEvaluated by assigned Student Services Supervisor FLSA STATUS EXEMPT – Full Time/Part-Time CONTRACT •Contingent upon availability of funding; •Contract days determined by ESCLEW governing board; •Other terms and conditions of employment as per the ESCLEW governing board policies and procedures or negotiated agreement SALARYBased on salary schedule and/or commensurate with experience and education. *Benefit options based on FT/PT stats.