General Definition of Work

Performs difficult professional work assisting students (K-12) identified with a visual impairment to achieve their maximum potential. Employee is responsible for organizing and implementing an instructional program for visually impaired students and meeting the duties of teaching as outlined in laws and policies.  Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Principal.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions

1. Planning:
   1. Designing the exceptional student education program so that it is consistent with the total educational philosophy of the school district.
   2. Continuing professional growth through educational meetings, visiting related facilities, reading professional literature and exchanging ideas amount school district staff.
2. Programming:
   1. Preparing, implementing and evaluating educational plans for each student based on individually assessed needs in accordance with school district policies and procedures.
   2. Using appropriate assessment instruments pertinent to instructional areas.
   3. Preparing lesson plans for each student.
   4. Providing appropriate schedules for exceptional students involving other school personnel as required.
   5. Seeking a variety of services through community resources and agencies to meet the needs of exceptional students.
   6. Proficiency in the use and teaching of Braille.
   7. Researching, recommending and training others in the use of Assistive Technology appropriate for individual students.
   8. Providing specialized instructional techniques and media through individual and/or group sessions designed to meet the educational, social and emotional needs of students.
   9. Participating in school staffing and screening processes as appropriate.
   10. Participating on evaluation teams for visually impaired students as appropriate.
   11. Making instructional ideas and materials that are appropriate for the exceptional student available to teachers within the classroom situation as requested
3. Public Relations
   1. Cooperating with school personnel in coordinating services within the school
   2. Conferring with the classroom teacher as requested concerning any educational needs of the student.
   3. Developing and conducting an in-service program to inform classroom teachers of the goals and objectives of the program and ways of achieving them in a school setting.
   4. Assist in providing information to community groups and parents concerning programs for the visually impaired and blind as requested.
4. Reporting
   1. Ensuring that each student in the program has necessary evaluation records in his/her educational folder.
   2. Furnishing the principal and Exceptional Children Director or designee with current exceptional student schedules
   3. Completing progress reports on each student in the program and supplying these reports to school personnel and to parents of exceptional students as necessary and requested.
   4. Completing reports for appropriate local, state, federal and educational agencies.
   5. Referring students who require further evaluation of follow-up services to the appropriate school personnel or community agencies.
   6. Other responsibilities as directed by his/her immediate supervisor(s).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures of special education and specialty area; thorough knowledge of the principles and methodology of effective teaching of students with disabilities; thorough knowledge of school division rules, regulations and procedures; ability to establish and maintain standards of behavior; ability to deliver articulate oral presentations and written reports; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, students and parents; ability to operate a personal computer.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in appropriate area.

Must hold or be eligible to hold North Carolina Teaching license for Visually Impaired

Graduate work/Master’s Degree preferred.

Classroom teaching experience preferred.

Experience in a like position preferred.

Physical Requirements

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work regularly requires standing and speaking or hearing, frequently requires walking, pushing or pulling, lifting and repetitive motions and occasionally requires

sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

Special Requirements

North Carolina Teacher Certification – Visually Impaired