What are the responsibilities and job description for the Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments position at SPED?
Job Title Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments
Qualifications: Valid Arkansas Teaching License
Preferred: Completion of Unified English Braille (UEB) course or willing to obtain
Preferred: Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist
Contract: 190 days
Evaluator: Special Education Supervisor
Job Description:
Visually impaired teacher provides instructional, braille, behavioral, communicative, and social/emotional services to identified students with visual impairments according to the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guidelines.
Specific Job Duties/Responsibilities:
- Transcribe braille assignments
- Teach braille skills to students with visual impairments
- Assist with Cortical Vision Impairment strategies and interventions
- Be knowledgeable about and effectively utilize low vision software (for example, desktop video magnification; Onyx, Acrobat, VisioBook; hand held digital magnifiers; Ruby, Pebble, Amigo, Sapphire)
- Be knowledgeable about and effectively utilize a variety of assistive technology and devices to assist students with visual impairments such as the following:
- Note takers (for example, Braille Sense, Braille Note)
- Refreshable braille displays (for example, Focus 40)
- IOS and Android Devices
- Screen Reading Software (for example, JAWS, Magic)
- Abacus
- Keyboarding programs
- Administer and assist with required standardized test administration
- Complete learning media and functional visual assessments
- Contribute to the development of the IEP with goals, modifications, accommodations, and recommendations for students with visual impairments
- Maintain knowledge and skills relevant to current technology appropriate for students with visual impairments and necessary for success in the classroom.
- Provide modified materials to the student and classroom teacher in an accessible and appropriate format. (braille, tactile graphics, enlarged print, audio, digital, etc)
- Provide regular consultation to classroom teachers on working with students with visual impairments
- Make recommendations as a member of the IEP team including the following:
- Interpret visual related reports from medical professionals
- Recommend classroom accommodations and adaptations
- Facilitate social integration and interaction with peers
- Provide strategies and supports for teachers, peers, and parents to foster student independence
- Address environmental needs and concerns
- Participate in transition planning which may include facilitating job related experiences and collaborating with Division of Services for the Blind
- Provide quarterly IEP progress reports as required by IDEA
- Provide assistance to students with visual impairments to facilitate positive attitudes and those of others concerning their visual impairment
- Facilitate social integration and interaction with peers
- Other duties as assigned
Organizational
- Complete required federal paperwork under IDEA provisions including the IEP and annual review
- Schedule and direct meetings with parents and staff regarding the student’s learning and progress
- Maintain timeline requirements for all paperwork
Professional
- Work with educators, parents, support staff, administration, and teams to support and educate children with visual impairments
- Attend required professional development
- Work with colleagues to maintain and support instructional and behavioral plans
