Teacher of the Visually Impaired

Position: Teacher of the Visually Impaired   

Department: Special Education

Reports to: Director of Student Services / Designee                   

Affiliation: WEA Unit A

Salary range:  As Determined by Unit A Contract

SUMMARY: 

The Watertown Public Schools seeks an outstanding Teacher of the Visually Impaired who is also a Certified Orientation Mobility Specialist to support students with visual impairments.  The ideal candidate for this position is passionate about educating all children in the Least Restrictive Environment and improving educational outcomes

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Plan and implement specially designed instruction to meet the unique educational needs of students with visual impairments
• Conduct functional vision and learning media assessments, identifying the educational implications of each student’s specific vision condition
• Assist the student, parents, special and regular education personnel, and sighted peers in understanding the unique educational needs and learning characteristics of visually impaired students,
• Consult regularly with the classroom teacher, other regular and special education personnel, parents, and others to coordinate programs and services for the visually impaired student.
• Recommend environmental and instructional adjustments for the student in the classroom and school
• Share responsibility with classroom teachers in the identification of instructional areas in which the student requires assistance
• Assure that large-type or braille texts, 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 access to the curriculum and to the life of the school
• Teach braille literacy for students as appropriate
• Consult regularly with sighted peers, parents, classroom teachers, physical education teachers, and/or other special education personnel to assist in environmental modifications, adaptations, and considerations and to ensure reinforcement of appropriate orientation and mobility skills that will enable the student to travel independently in these settings.
• Prepare and utilize equipment and materials, for example, tactile maps, models, distance low vision devices.
• Attend IEP Team meetings and provide input regarding progress and recommended next steps
• Author relevant sections of the IEP, and write progress reports

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Evidence of ability to work collaboratively with teachers and administrators to set high academic and instructional expectations
• Familiarity with high-impact instruction, and is comfortable modeling instruction when needed
• Holds the belief that all children can learn and be successful
• Owns a passion for leveraging technology in the classroom

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Current Massachusetts Teaching License/Certification, required
• Three or more successful years of teaching experience, preferred
• Master’s Degree, preferred
• Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, preferred

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

This position requires the ability to navigate from class to class within a school building, as well as the ability to travel to multiple school locations within the district.

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

Most tasks require visual perception and discrimination and the ability to distinguish color. The employee must be able to input information into a computer as well as read material from a computer monitor as well as printed matter with or without visual aids. The employee must be able to communicate effectively with other staff members in order to exchange accurate information.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The noise level in this environment ranges from quiet to loud depending on the activity and the particular part of the day and location. The employee interacts with other staff members and occasionally must meet multiple demands from several people. 

The work 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. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Watertown Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.