Itinerant Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI)

Perkins helps kids with disabilities find their place in the world. An international NGO, we are committed to delivering best-in-class education to children, providing immersive training and support to professionals and families, advocating for inclusion, and accelerating innovation for people with disabilities.

At Perkins, we think courageously, act collaboratively, and we own our work. Join a supportive community committed to growth where your work makes a difference.

What you can expect as an Itinerant Teacher of the Visually Impaired :

You are a community focused educator looking to join our collaborative team.

You will provide direct and consultative vision services to school age children and to their teachers / professionals and parents in the public schools and community.

Some of the children may have multiple disabilities. You will travel in the community to schools and will be responsible for scheduling and maintaining communications among team members in numerous agencies and school districts as well as completing all paperwork associated with evaluations, contract service, reports, and billing.

As a Perkins Itinerant Teacher, you will :

• Read records, observe and assess students, consult with other generalists, specialists, and parents or other caregivers;
• review individual education plans (IEPs) and the recommendations of supporting agencies to determine the capabilities, limitations, and needs of each student in the areas assigned to the teacher;

utilize this information to prepare goals, objectives and lessons based on program approved curriculum or other appropriate resources to meet the students’ needs.

Prepare and provide instruction through oral presentations, discussions, demonstrations, hand-on activities, modeling, and direct experiences such as engagement in hands-on instruction with various mobility devices and listen for oncoming traffic;

produce or secure Braille, enlarged print, aural or tactual material or compensatory devices needed to help the student arrive at appropriate goals.

Participate in meetings and serve as a member of the team which is responsible for development and delivery of programs for each student and for overall program planning.

Communicate with parents, agency staff, or others, to assure continuity of individual programs.

Recommend goals and objectives for future programming of individual students; make scheduling recommendations when appropriate.

Promote the student’s development of good work habits, good health habits, acceptable behavior and appropriate levels of independence.

Provide appropriate structure and discipline to maintain order and provide a positive learning experience in the teaching situation, in the community and in other activities which take place under the supervision of the teacher.

Plan and supervise activities in a manner which will safeguard the health and safety of students and assume responsibility for students under the teacher’s supervision in an emergency.

Design educational programming commensurate with the current best practice in the field of Special Education including : Functional curriculum;

Age-Appropriateness; Community experience; Integration of related services; Context-based instruction; Expanded Core Curriculum, or as determined by appropriate assessments.

Maintain family and home and school contact through log books, or other communication methods, as recommended by the program supervisor;

maintain appropriate records and provide these to the program file.

Collaborate with families, early intervention staff, classroom and agency staff to direct and coordinate their involvement with the students in the classroom setting.

Perform observations and physically track students for safety hazards and mobility issues.

Submit required documentation for client service and any other associated expense in accordance with established due dates.

To perform other related duties and tasks as assigned.

The Role requires :

Master’s degree in Education

Two (2) years’ experience working with school age children with visual impairments who may have additional disabilities or who are Deafblind

Ability to complete and maintain First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

Preference will be given to candidates with :

Master’s degree in Special Education

Dual TVI / O&M certification

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations :

State Certification as a Massachusetts Teacher in Vision Impairment or commitment to acquire such certification within one academic year

We have benefits that put you first, including an employer contributing retirement plan, tuition reimbursement from day one, professional development for our employees, personal days, paid time off and paid sick leave.

Our campus is quaint, charming and historical, a perfect mix of legacy and modern buildings. It is located in the heart of Watertown, adjacent to the Charles River and less than 1 mile from food & entertainment at Arsenal Yards.