Beaumont independent school district

Job Description

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

The itinerant teacher for students with visual impairments travels to students’ assigned schools to provide direct and/or consultative special education services relating to visual impairments. Services enable the students to learn in classroom and community environments. Services for infants may be provided in the infants’ homes or child-care settings (within district boundaries). The students receiving VI services range in age from birth through 21, and may or may not have additional disabilities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Certification:

• Bachelor’s Degree from accredited university
• Valid Texas Certification as teacher of students with visual impairments

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Experience in providing Braille instruction
• Experience teaching students with visual impairment
• Experience working as a team member with special education and general education teachers
• Knowledge of Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee process and knowledge in the development of Individual Education Plans (IEP)
• General knowledge of curriculum and instruction

Experience:

• Experience working with VI students, preferred

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Assessment and Evaluation

• Perform functional vision and learning media assessments on new referrals and at intervals as designated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
• Interpret medical eye reports as they relate to educational environments.
• Contribute to the development of the IEP/IFSP with recommendations for goals, modification, and learning styles.
• Provide screening and referral procedures to appropriate personnel.
• Recommend appropriate specialized evaluations and assessments, such as for low vision, orientation and mobility, psychosocial, and adaptive physical education.
• Consult with diagnosticians, classroom teachers, students, and parents concerning appropriate evaluations, modifications, and test administrations.
• Be knowledgeable about possible modifications for statewide testing, and arrange for necessary modifications.
• Obtain modified standardized testing materials (NAPT, ITBS, TAAS, SAT, ACT), and administer or assist in the administration of the test as needed.
• Administer various other evaluations as appropriate, and interpret the results as appropriate to parents and other educators.
• Participate in team assessments for student with moderate to severe cognitive disabilities.
• Work as liaison with other agencies in vocational assessment process.
• Provide assessment, instruction, and consultation to other educational team members on issues related to assistive technology, especially computer-based assistive technology.

Maintain Appropriate learning Environment

• Assist in determining need for and procuring classroom equipment and materials necessary for students with visual impairments to learn Braille and use low-vision devices, assistive technology, computers, etc., including ensuring necessary room modifications and lighting changes.
• Provide team members with information regarding the specialized strategies needed for success with each VI student, including those working with infants in non-school-based settings.
• Consult with other educational team members, including parents and rehabilitation service providers to provide information necessary to maximize incorporation of the expanded core curriculum into the entire instructional setting.
• Provide modified materials to team members.
• Provide Braille, recorded/enlarged materials, and tactile symbols as appropriate for each child.
• Facilitate social integration and interaction with peers.
• Provide training and support to parents of students with visual impairments to enhance their children’s independence.
• Provide the teachers, staff, and family of students with visual impairment with information regarding their individual needs, methodology, and strategies.
• Participate with other school personnel and agencies to secure job-related experiences for students.
• Participate in transition planning.

Administrative/Record Keeping Duties

• Provide updated pupil information (e.g., VI registration, deaf/blind census, textbook projections).
• Submit requests for instructional materials, conferences, and personnel needs.
• Provide input into students’ schedules, planning for all special services, such as direct instruction and orientation and mobility.
• Maintain adequate record of all assessments related to the IEP, progress reports, and signed parental release forms for things such as photographs and registration with various agencies.
• Register students with visual impairments with appropriate agencies, such as Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic and the state library for the blind and physically disabled, and assist with referral to the state’s commission for the blind.
• Prepare paperwork as appropriate and attend IEP meetings and IFSP meetings on students with visual impairments.
• Distribute information to parents concerning workshops, conferences, and equipment acquisition.
• Communicate with low-vision specialists, ophthalmologists, and optometrists concerning exams, and attend exams when appropriate.
• Supervise material preparation and acquisition.

Liaison between Community and School

• Provide information about district and/or regional vision programs to the schools and community.
• Provide information concerning recreational and summer programs to parents and students and assist with application forms and procedures.
• Attend and participate in faculty and department meetings.

Other

• Perform duties in a professional, ethical, and responsible manner.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Mental Demands

• Maintain emotional control under stress
• Work with frequent interruptions

Physical Demands

• Frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing, and pulling
• Move small stacks of textbooks, media equipment, desks, and other classroom or adaptive equipment
• May be required to lift and position students with physical disabilities, control behavior through physical restraint, and assist non ambulatory students

Environmental Demands

• Regular district-wide travel to multiple work locations as assigned
• May work prolonged or irregular hours
• Exposure to childhood communicable diseases; good general health and stamina needed

IDEA-B Formula funds provide supplemental resources to LEAs to assist schools to provide high-quality education that will enable students with disabilities 3 to 21 years of age to receive a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) and to meet the state’s student performance standards.

The above statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to the job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills that may be required. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. The administration has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.