Community Experience Teacher

WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL FOR BLIND CHILDREN•Pittsburgh, PA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Community Experiences Teacher is responsible for designing, coordinating, and implementing community-based instruction (CBI) and transition-focused learning opportunities that promote independence, self-determination, social participation, and successful adult outcomes for students with visual impairments and additional disabilities. This position serves a dual role as both an instructional leader and program coordinator. The Community Experiences Teacher collaborates with classroom teachers, Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVIs), Orientation and Mobility Specialists, related service providers, families, transportation staff, and community partners to develop meaningful instructional experiences that extend learning beyond the classroom and support the achievement of student IEP goals. The Community Experiences Teacher is responsible for ensuring that community-based instruction is purposeful, data-driven, aligned with transition outcomes, and integrated into the broader educational program. The position provides direct instruction, coordinates community partnerships, oversees program logistics, and assists educational teams in promoting the generalization of skills across school, community, home, and vocational settings.

Requirements

Valid Pennsylvania Instructional Certificate required (Special Education, TVI, Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), Transition Education, or related field).
Minimum three years of experience working with students with disabilities.
Experience developing and implementing transition-focused programming.
Knowledge of IDEA transition requirements, IEP development, and special education compliance.
Experience teaching functional academics, independent living skills, self-determination, vocational readiness, and community participation skills.
Strong organizational, communication, and collaboration skills.
Ability to safely supervise students in community environments.
Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.
Must hold and maintain proper clearances for Acts 34, 114, and 151.

Nice To Haves

Level II Certification preferred.
Master's Degree preferred.
Experience coordinating schedules, community partnerships, and multi-faceted programs preferred.
Knowledge of the Expanded Core Curriculum for students with visual impairments preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a comprehensive community-based instruction program aligned with WPSBC's mission and transition services framework.
Coordinate community experiences across transition and high school cohort secondary classrooms.
Establish and maintain partnerships with local businesses, community organizations, recreational facilities, and post-secondary agencies.
Develop annual program goals, benchmarks, and outcome measures.
Evaluate program effectiveness and recommend improvements based on student outcomes and stakeholder feedback.
Collaborate with transportation staff to develop and maintain annual schedules and transportation plans.
Coordinate community calendars, trip scheduling, site visits, permissions, and logistical planning.
Provide direct instruction in community, school, and simulated settings.
Develop instructional units focused on independent living, self-advocacy, social interaction, community participation, self-determination, and functional academics.
Design lessons that promote generalization of IEP goals in authentic environments.
Teach students how to navigate community settings safely and appropriately.
Facilitate service-learning, recreational, and exploration opportunities.
Provide individualized supports and accommodations to ensure meaningful participation for students with varying abilities.
Collaborate with classroom teachers to prepare students prior to community experiences and reinforce learning afterward.
Participate in transition planning meetings and multidisciplinary team discussions.
Collaborate with educational teams to identify community-based learning opportunities that support post-secondary goals.
Assist in implementing measurable transition-related goals and objectives.
Support implementation of transition assessments and data collection activities in collaboration with Educational Team and Transition Coordinator.
Ensure community-based experiences align with student transition plans and IEP priorities.
Develop systems for collecting data related to student participation, skill acquisition, and generalization.
Monitor student progress toward identified instructional and transition goals.
Maintain accurate records, documentation, and progress reports.
Utilize assessment information to guide instructional planning and program development.
Prepare annual summaries regarding program participation and student outcomes.
Collaborate with TVIs, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, related service providers, instructional aides, and administrators to support student success.
Communicate regularly with families regarding upcoming experiences, student progress, and transition outcomes.
Facilitate collaboration between school staff and community partners.
Provide consultation and support to classroom teams regarding community-based instruction and transition-focused practices.
Ensure all community experiences are conducted in accordance with school policies and safety procedures.
Maintain required documentation including transportation logs, permissions, incident reports, purchasing records, and credit card reconciliations.
Coordinate emergency planning and risk management procedures related to community-based activities.
Implement positive behavior supports and crisis management strategies as needed.
Ensure compliance with IDEA, PDE requirements, and school procedures related to transition services and community-based instruction.
Participate in professional development and ongoing training related to transition services, visual impairment, and community-based instruction.
Remain current on best practices in transition programming.
Contribute to school improvement initiatives and strategic goals related to student independence and adult outcomes.