Special Ed Sensory Services - Certificated Teacher of the Visually Impaired - 1.0FTE

Overview of Position

The Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) is a certified teacher who travels to students' assigned schools to provide direct and / or consultative services services relating to vision loss.

Thorough knowledge of visual impairments & blindness, its implications for early development growth & learning; thorough knowledge of the Braille code & strategies for teaching Braille is required, along with strong skills in assistive technology and teaching the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC).

Experience in assessing students' functional vision as well as knowledge of cortical visual impairment; effective interpersonal and communication skills to provide on-going support and consultation to school staff.

Orientation and Mobility certification desirable but not required. A state Braille competency test is required.

To learn more about our special education service types, please follow this link to the SPS Special Education Department website : .

Essential Functions

25 % Appropriate Learning Environment

• Assists in determining and procuring classroom equipment and materials necessary for students with visual impairments to learn (brailler, low vision devices, assistive technology, computer) including ensuring necessary room modifications and lighting changes
• Provides the classroom teacher with information regarding the specialized strategies needed to teach a student with visual impairment
• Consults with other instructional staff to provide information to incorporate the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) into the entire instructional setting
• Provides adapted materials to the classroom teacher
• Provides Braille, recorded / enlarged materials, and / or tactual symbols as appropriate for each child??

40% Direct Instruction in the Expanded Core Curriculum, (ECC) the Unique Curriculum designed for Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired

• Monitors the students' progress in academic subjects and provide instruction in compensatory skills as needed in the areas the students may have difficulty with as a result of the visual impairment (This does not include tutoring in subject areas once materials and methods have been adapted to accommodate the vision loss)
• Braille reading and writing
• Low vision devices
• Abacus
• Typing / keyboarding
• Technology (e.g., computers, Braille notetakers, JAWS, Magic, Duxbury. )
• Listening skills
• Visual efficiency skills
• Concept development (especially for infants and early childhood students)
• Daily living / self-help skills
• Career readiness
• Leisure and recreation skills
• Social skills
• Organizational and study skills
• Self-advocacy skills

10% Assessment and Evaluation of students who are blind or visually impaired

• Performs Functional Vision and Learning Media Assessments (FVA / LMA) on new referrals and three-year re-evaluations
• Interprets eye medical reports as they relate to educational environments
• Contributes to the development of the IEP / IFSP with goals, modifications, learning styles.
• Recommends appropriate specialized evaluations as needed, such as low vision, Orientation and Mobility, psycho-social, and adaptive physical education
• Consults with diagnosticians, classroom teachers, students, and parents concerning appropriate evaluations, modification, and test administration
• Obtains modified standardized testing materials and administer or assist in the administration of the test as needed
• Works as liaison with other agencies in the vocational assessment process
• Participates in team assessments for students with moderate to severe cognitive disabilities
• Provides screening and referral procedures to appropriate personnel

10% Support Services

• Provides assistance to students with visual impairments in understanding their attitudes and those of others concerning their visual impairment
• Facilitates social integration and interaction with peers
• Provides training and support to parents of students with visual impairments to enhance their children's independence
• Provides the teachers, staff, and family of students with visual impairment with information regarding their individual needs, methodology, and strategies
• Participates with other school personnel and agencies to secure job-related experiences for students
• Participates in transition planning

5% Administrative / Record Keeping Duties

• Provides updated student information (VI registration, deafblind census, textbook projections)
• Submits requests for instructional materials, conferences, field trips, and personnel needs
• Informs various special education and campus personnel of progress and needs of the students with visual impairment on a regular basis
• Identifies and sets up a work and storage space at each school to be used by the Teacher of the Visually Impaired to instruct students as necessary
• Provides input into students' schedules, planning for all special services, such as direct instruction and Orientation & Mobility
• Maintains adequate record of all assessments, IEPs, IFSP papers, progress reports and signed parental release forms for things such as photographs and registration with various agencies
• Provides quarterly progress reports as indicated by school policy on students with visual impairment in regular education classes and follow up with teacher and / or parent conferences as appropriate
• Registers students with visual impairments with appropriate agencies such as Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic, and the American Printing house for the Blind
• Prepares paperwork as appropriate and attend IEPs and IFSP meetings on students with visual impairments
• Distributes information to parents concerning workshops, conferences, and equipment acquisition
• Communicates with low-vision specialists, ophthalmologists, and optometrists concerning exams, and attend exams when appropriate
• Supervises material preparation and acquisition

5% Liaison Between Community and School

• Provide information about district and / or regional vision programs to the schools and community
• Provides information concerning recreational and summer programs to parents and students and assist with application forms and procedures

5% Professional Standards

• Maintains a reference library
• Acquires information about current research, development, and technology by attending conferences, workshops, and area meetings and by reading journals in the field of blindness & visual impairment

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES :

Knowledge

Subject areas appropriate to assignment; effective behavior management techniques; effective instructional techniques;

rules and procedures for student safety.

Skill In

Proficiency in reading, writing, and oral communications; effective communication with parents or guardians in a diverse community;

designing and implementing lesson plans for students having a wide range of achievement.

Ability to

• Deal with students in a positive and confident manner; be fair and consistent when working with a culturally, racially, and economically diverse student population;
• adapt to change and remain flexible; organize activities; manage student behavior; use good judgment to maintain a safe learning environment;
• provide instruction and demonstrate techniques; use necessary equipment, computers, machinery, tools, or software; direct assistants;

in some positions, administer first aid and CPR; establish and maintain effective, positive working relationships with students, parents or guardians, staff and administrators.

CONDITIONS / DISCLAIMERS

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by those assigned to this position and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills.

Employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed. District employees are not authorized to make promises of employment for a particular period of time, or promises of a particular level of compensation or benefits to job applicants for certified or classified position, and that any such agreement must be in writing and signed by the Superintendent.

Any verbal or written statements to that effect by District employees other than the Superintendent are null and void. Additionally, nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Typical Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's or Master's degree in special education, with certification specifically in teaching students with visual impairment is required.

CERTIFICATES & LICENSES :

Valid Washington State Teaching Certificate; some positions may require valid first aid and CPR certification; some positions may require a valid Washington State driver's license and / or a Class II driver's license.

CLEARANCES :

Criminal justice fingerprint and background check.