Job Title: Teacher of Students with Visual Impairment (VI) Wage/Hour Status: Exempt

Reports to: Director of Special Education Pay Grade: Teacher Salary

Dept./School: Special Education Days: 187

Primary Purpose: The Itinerant Teacher of the Visually Impaired (VI) travels to the students’ assigned schools to provide direct and/or consultative special education services relating to the vision loss. These services enable the students to learn in their classroom setting. Services for infants may be provided in the infant’s home or day care setting. The students range in age from birth to 21. The students may be singularly or multiply impaired. The cognitive level of the students will range from those with severe cognitive disorders to the gifted and talented.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Valid teaching certificate (SpEd Preferred)
• VI endorsement; or
• Enrollment in an internship, practicum, or other site-based training through an accredited university VI program
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate

Special Knowledge Skills

• Knowledge of state and local testing procedures.
• Strong knowledge of curriculum and instruction.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Such alternatives to these qualifications as deemed appropriate by the Superintendent.

Experience

• At least three years of successful teaching experience.

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

• Perform Functional Vision and Learning Media Assessments on new referrals and three-year re-evaluations.
• Obtain and interpret eye and medical reports as they relate to educational environments.
• Contribute to the development of the IEP, (goals, modifications, and learning styles).
• Recommend appropriate specialized evaluations as needed (low vision, orientation and mobility, technology, and Adaptive P.E.)
• Consult with diagnosticians, classroom teachers, students, and parents concerning appropriate evaluations, modifications, and test administration.
• Obtain or produce modified standardized testing materials and assist in the administration or administer the test as needed.
• Work as a liaison with other agencies in the vocational assessment process.
• Administer various other tests as appropriate
• Provide and set up all necessary equipment and materials in the classroom for the VI student to learn (brailler, low vision devices, computers, etc.).
• Provide the classroom teacher with information regarding the unique needs of the VI child in his/her classroom
• Consult with the classroom teacher with information regarding methodology and strategies in teaching a VI student.
• Provide information to the student’s classmates about his/her vision loss through class presentations, demonstrations, and materials
• Modify materials for the classroom teacher
• Provide Braille, recorded on enlarged materials as appropriate for each child.

Direct Instruction in the Unique Curriculum

• Monitor the students’ progress in academic subjects and provide instruction in compensatory skills as needed in the areas the student may have difficulty with as a result of his/her visual impairment.
• Braille reading and writing
• Low vision aids.
• Abacus
• Typing/Keyboarding.
• Adaptive devices (e.g. computers, notetakers, tape recorders, etc.).
• Listening skills.
• Visual efficiency.
• Concept development (especially for infants and early childhood students).
• Daily living/self-help skills.
• Career readiness
• Leisure and recreation skills.
• Social skills.
• Organization and study skills.
• Self-advocacy.

Support Services

• Provide assistance to the students with visual impairments in understanding their attitudes and those of others concerning their visual impairment. Provide information to the student about his/her vision loss.

• Participate in graduation and transition planning.

Administrative/Record-Keeping Duties

• Provide updated pupil information (TEA VI registration, textbook projections, etc.)
• Provide screening and referral procedures to appropriate personnel.
• Submit requests for instructional materials, conferences, field trips, and personnel needs.
• Provide in-service and consultation to classroom teachers concerning visually impaired students in their rooms and possible referrals.
• Review with special education and campus personnel the progress and needs of the students with visual impairments on a regular basis.
• Identify and set up a work and storage space at each school.
• Provide input into student’s schedules, keeping in mind all special services including direct vision instruction and orientation and mobility.
• Maintain adequate records of all assessments, IEP’s, ARD papers, progress reports, and signed parental release forms for things such as photographs and registration with various agencies.
• Do progress checks on students with visual impairments in regular education classes and follow up with teacher and/or parent conferences as appropriate.
• Provide nine-week progress reports to parents.
• Register students with appropriate agencies such as Recording for the Blind, Texas State Library and the Commission for the Blind.
• Arrange and prepare paper work as appropriate and attend all ARDSs on students with visual impairments.
• Distribute information to parents concerning workshops, conferences, material/equipment acquisition.
• Order Braille, and large print books, or books on tape.

Liaison between Community and School

• Provide information about the ECISD Vision Program to schools and the community.
• Provide information concerning recreational and summer programs to parents and students and assist in application forms and procedures (Texas School for the Blind Summer School, Lighthouse for the Blind/Texas Commission for the Blind Summer Work Program, Lions Club Summer Camp, etc.).
• Be knowledgeable about community funding available for the VI student.

Professional Standards

• Maintain a reference library of current professional materials.
• Acquire information about current research, development, and technology by attending conferences, workshops, and area meetings and by reading journals in the field of visual impairment.

Working Conditions:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors

• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. occasionally with assistance.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required. I have read, understand and attest to the above description and funding relating to my daily activities.

Signature ___________________________________________________ Date____________________