Teacher of the Visually Impaired

The North Adams Public Schools is anticipating the need for a Teacher of the Visually Impaired for the upcoming 2026/2027 school year. This position is subject to the North Adams Teachers Association contract. 

Job Goal:         To provide direct and consultative vision services and/or orientation and mobility services to pre-schoolers and school age children grades K – 12 in the North Adams Public Schools

Supervision:    Reports directly to the Director of Student Support Services

Performance Responsibilities:            The DESE certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired provides educational support to visually impaired students included in various general education classes. This Teacher of the Visually Impaired will provide both direct services (class, small group or one to one) and consultation services to the teachers, aides, interpreters, staff and parents.

• Ability to work effectively with teachers, support staff, and parents and advocate for children in order to effectively problem solve 
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills and ability to work with all stakeholders 
• Ability to meet the expectations of the Massachusetts Standards and Indicators of Effective Teaching Practice  
• Educate students to read or write Braille, as necessary
• Obtain, distribute, or maintain low vision devices.
• Design instructional programs to improve communication using devices such as slates and styluses, braillers, keyboards, adaptive handwriting devices, talking book machines, digital books, and optical character readers (OCRs).
• Collaborate with specialists, such as teachers, speech pathologists, and occupational therapists, to provide client solutions. Educate students to use tactile, auditory, kinesthetic, olfactory, and proprioceptive information.
• Educate students to use adaptive equipment such as large print, reading stands, lamps, writing implements, software and electronic devices.
• Evaluate students' ability; write reports and attend TEAM meetings.
• Write goals and objectives for students IEP and complete quarterly progress report.
• Assess clients' functioning in areas such as vision, orientation and mobility skills, social and emotional issues, cognition, physical abilities, and personal goals.
• Identify visual impairments related to basic life skills in areas such as: self-care, literacy, and communication.
• Provide appropriate accommodations and supports to students who are diagnosed with Cortical Visual Impairments 

Special Knowledge/Abilities For Position:    Knowledgeable and certified to teach braille as required by the IEP; ability to provide instruction/consultation in print, aura/tactual material or compensatory devices including educational software and assistive devices to help students achieve appropriate goals.

Required:        Massachusetts Teacher of the Blind/Visually Impaired certification; Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education or related field; minimum of three years’ experience working with students with visual impairments

Preferred:        Master’s Degree in Special Education      

Physical Requirements:                       The position requires a moderate amount of walking, standing, sitting and climbing stairs and step stool whenever necessary.  Activities also include moderate physical exertion in body movement such as reaching, bending, twisting, grasping, pushing, and pulling of objects.  The position requires lifting objects of 20 pounds on a frequent basis, and over 20 pounds occasionally.  There is a frequent requirement of fine manipulation associated with the required use of a computer, typewriter, keyboard, calculator, and other assistive devices. 

Environmental Conditions:                 The occupant is required to work indoors.  The regular chemical solvents are toners, inks, and cleaning fluids. 

Salary : $50,479 - $91,778