Teacher - Visually Impaired SY25/26

Pay Grade:                Certified Salary Schedule      

Department:              Special Services

Accountable To:        Director of Special Services  

FLSA Status:             Exempt           

Creation/Revision Date:       April 18, 2023

Summary:  

Under general direction, incumbent(s) provides quality instruction to students with visual impairments, including those with additional disabilities, through planned lessons, diagnosing learning needs, creating and leading engaging learning activities, utilizing assessments to monitor student progress, and communicating with administration and parents.  Creating a flexible classroom environment favorable to learning and personal growth to motivate pupils to develop skills, attitudes and knowledge needed.

Essential Functions:

• Instructs students in citizenship and basic subject matter specified in state law and administrative regulations and procedures of the school district.
• Instruct students with visual impairments, including those with additional considerations, in areas that will enable them to function and participate in the curriculum of the classroom, to include braille reading and writing, abacus, listening skills, and visual efficiency.
• Instruct students in the use of specialized equipment and technology to include, not limited to, computers, tablets, text-to-speech and screen enlargement software, digital magnification devices (desktop and portable), braille notetakers, etc.
• Assess functional performance level of students with visual impairments, including those with additional considerations, for the purpose of developing an IEP to include Learning Media Assessment, Functional Low Vision Assessment, Technology Assessment, CVI Scale, educational performance levels, assessment of compensatory skills, and areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum.
• Adapt classroom materials to the appropriate medium for each individual student, to include braille, large print, tactile models or representations, and visual efficiency and CVI modifications.
• Maintain reports and records within the digital IEP/Records system to include IEPs, Progress reports, initial and re- evaluations, eye reports, and other records related to the student.
• Establish and maintain good rapport with students, employees, community members and vendors.
• Establishes and enforces classroom management structure and rules that ensure the academic engagement and the physical and mental safety of all students.
• Celebrates the achievements and successes of students
• Maintains knowledge of grade level content and standards for the students they serve.
• Maintains a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality.
• Other job related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

To be eligible for this position, an applicant must meet the following required qualifications.  Verification of these required qualifications is necessary.

• Obtain and maintain an appropriate Arizona Department of Education Visually Impaired Special Education Teaching Certificate or an Arizona Department of Education Visually Impaired Special Education Endorsement.
• Obtain and maintain an Arizona Department of Public Safety Identify Verified Prints (IVP) Fingerprint Clearance Card.

Knowledge and Skills Required:

To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The qualifications for this job description are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Skills required, but not limited to, for this position include:

• Knowledge/Experience in UEB and Nemeth
• Knowledge/Experience in electronic braille transcription (Duxbury)
• Knowledge/Experience with electronic Braille Devices
• Knowledge/Experience in electronic Magnification devices
• Knowledge/Experience in adaptive computer software/hardware and keyboarding skills
• Knowledge/Experience in FVA/LMA and CVI scale
• Knowledge/Experience in completing MET/IEP and related documents
• Knowledge regarding local, state, and national resources available to individuals with visual impairments
• Knowledge regarding use and importance of Low Vision aids and their application in the classroom

Physical Requirements: 

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to stand and walk.  The employee is occasionally required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions: 

The working environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; and outside weather conditions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The Washington Elementary School District is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Civil Rights Act Title VII of 1972, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Washington Elementary School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify or expression, disability or age in employment or in any of its educational programs or in the provisions of benefits and services to students. For information regarding discrimination grievance or complaint procedures contact the Executive Director for Human Resources at 602.347.2801.

Salary : $50,000 - $81,950