Leadership Instructor- Summer Transition Programs

Description

The Foundation for Blind Children (FBC) is seeking an Leadership Instructor to support our Teen-to-Work and College Prep residential programs, which serve high school students (ages 14-21) with visual impairments. These 5-week long programs, located on a college campus, are designed to prepare students for employment, higher education, and greater independence while being away from home.

As a Leadership Instructor, you will play a key role in fostering self-advocacy skills and enhancing public speaking abilities in students, with a special focus on helping them navigate their transition to life with a disability, particularly vision impairment. As an instructor, you will teach essential skills in one-on-one or small group settings to one of the programs throughout the summer, while also supporting students with career readiness, college preparation, and daily-living skills. This position offers a chance to make a meaningful impact on students' futures and help them navigate the world of work and academics with assistive technology tools. You will have the chance to work alongside other instructors in the areas of Activities of Daily Living, Orientation & Mobility, Career Readiness, Assistive Technology, and College Readiness helping students become independent, confident, and prepared for their futures. This role will require you to provide tailored instruction that empowers students to advocate for themselves, develop leadership skills, and become confident public speakers. You will work closely with a diverse team of instructors to support students in delivering end-of-program speeches that showcase the personal growth and leadership skills they have gained during their time in the program.

Both programs also include a variety of social and recreational activities, such as bowling, ropes courses, indoor skydiving, escape rooms, ice skating, movie theaters, swimming, fitness classes, and more, providing students with opportunities to engage, have fun, and build confidence. This position offers the chance to make a meaningful impact on students' futures, guiding them as they learn to be leaders in the world.

Additional Information:

• Living Arrangements: Housing is provided on campus at no cost, with most meals included. This position offers a unique opportunity to engage with students in a residential setting and create lasting educational experiences.
• Travel Reimbursement: Travel reimbursement is available to those traveling from outside of the Phoenix area. 
• Work Schedule: The program runs from June 3rd, 2025 – July 12th, 2025. The schedule will include 30-40 hours per week, with some evening and weekend activities as needed to support student engagement. Training will be provided on June 4th, 2025 as well as virtually prior to the program start date. Individual staff working schedules will be provided by May 1, 2025, but please keep flexibility in mind week by week for scheduling changes the week prior.

Job duties include: 

• Self-Advocacy & Public Speaking Instruction:
  • Lead interactive lessons on self-advocacy, focusing on teaching students to assert their needs and rights in both personal and professional settings.
  • Provide training in public speaking, emphasizing the skills necessary to effectively communicate ideas, build confidence, and engage an audience.
  • Help students with vision impairments to develop strategies and use assistive technology to enhance their public speaking and presentation abilities.
• Facilitating End-of-Program Speeches:
  • Guide students in both the Teen-to-Work and College Prep programs in preparing and delivering a final speech as part of the program’s culmination.
  • Teen-to-Work: Students will present on an important workplace skill they have learned during the summer.
  • College Prep: Students will give a speech on a meaningful topic and outline how they will lead change as they transition to adulthood.
  • Collaborate with other instructors to ensure the accessibility of speeches, providing support for students to deliver their presentations confidently and independently.
• Orientation & Adjustment Support:
  • Assist students in adjusting to their disability, particularly in relation to vision impairment, by fostering a positive and empowering environment.
  • Help students understand the significance of self-advocacy in managing their disability in different environments, including the workplace and higher education.
• Collaboration with Instructors:
  • Work closely with other instructors in the areas of Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Orientation & Mobility (O&M), Career Readiness, Assistive Technology, and College Readiness to provide holistic support to each student.
  • Participate in team meetings to ensure a cohesive learning experience for students.
• Student Progress Tracking: Maintain detailed daily notes on student lessons and provide monthly reports to ensure student progress is documented accurately. Participate in a weekly progress meeting for all students to assess and adjust instructional methods.
• Collaborative Teaching: Work with other instructors in other instructional areas such as: Orientation & Mobility (O&M), Education Support Services (ESS), Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and Orientation and Adjustment to Disability (OAD). Foster a collaborative environment with instructors to ensure consistency in instruction, reinforce key skills, and ensure students meet their learning objectives across various subjects. to enhance students' learning experiences.

• Support Field Trips & Outings: Participate in supporting week day field trips and some weekend activities to provide students with real-world experiences, further reinforcing their learning.

Qualifications

• Experience: Prior experience working with students with visual impairments is preferred. Proficiency in public speaking, leadership, and programs specifically designed for individuals with vision impairments.
• Educational Background: Have one of the following:
  • Minimum of 6 months of documented Adjustment to Disability counseling experience with persons with blindness or vision impairment
  • Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or equivalent degree
  • Commission on Rehabilitation Counseling Certification (CRCC)
  • Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist through Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP)
  • National Certification in Rehabilitation Teaching for the Blind (NCRTB)
• Communication: Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, for working with students, families, and colleagues in a respectful way.
• Skills: Strong ability to manage time, develop lesson plans, collaborate effectively with others, and track student progress.
• Flexibility: Willingness to adapt to a changing schedule, including participation in field trips, weekend activities, and additional program support as needed.

Salary : $30 - $40