Visually Impaired Teacher

JOB SUMMARY:

This position is responsible for organizing and implementing an instructional program for visually impaired students. This position is expected to travel to a variety of schools to provide direct and/or consultative special education services related to visual impairments. The students range in age from 3 through 21 and may or may not have additional disabilities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Additional duties may be assigned.

• Has primary responsibility for specialized instruction and services required to meet the unique educational needs of students with visual impairments.
• Provides instruction in the development and maintenance of skills to meet the student's unique educational needs in the following areas as indicated on the IEP
• Low vision and visual efficiency skills
• Concept development and academic skills
• Daily living skills
• Career and vocational skills
• Communication skills including braille reading and writing
• Consult regularly with the classroom teacher, other general and special education personnel, parents and others to coordinate programs and services for the visually impaired student.
• Assure that large-type or braille texts, testing materials, supplementary materials, educational aids and equipment needed by the visually impaired student and the classroom teacher are provided in a timely manner to ensure the student's maximum participation in all classroom activities.
• Provides initial and ongoing assessment.
• Provide instruction for use of accessible assistive technology for visually impaired.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

1. Bachelor’s Degree
2. Certification/licensure in blind and partially sighted
3. Specialized instruction in braille and other related instruction

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

1. Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing, and interact effectively with all aspects of the school community is required.
2. Ability to solve conflicts, maintain confidentiality and remain open to various ideas and viewpoints.

MATHMATICAL SKILLS:

1. Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations using whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percentages.
2. Ability to perform mathematical calculations to balance assigned budget items, invoices, bills, purchase orders and other related items.

REASONING ABILITY:

1. Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines while complying with established policies and procedures of the building and district.
2. Identifies and resolve problems in a timely manner, gathers and analyzes information skillfully; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
3. Ability to concentrate, think, read and learn is necessary to perform the essential job duties.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Familiarity with accessible assistive technology such as magnification software’s, speech software’s, electronic note takers, refreshable braille devices and braille transcribing systems.
• Familiar with instructional practices that enhance student engagement
• Ability to work well with general education teachers and related service providers
• Flexible work style
• Familiar with Expanded Core Curriculum

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk and stand. Some crouching, kneeling, and bending is required when working with young students.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties of this job.  The noise level in the work environment is usually at a moderate level with frequent interruptions.  The employee continuously interacts with staff and the public.  Travel may be necessary to various District buildings and/or sites.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job duties.

The information contained in job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.  Employees may be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job related duties as requested, subject to all applicable state and federal laws.