Sensory Services - Teacher of the Visually Impaired - 1.0FTE

Seattle Public Schools • John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence, WA

282d

About The Position

The Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) is a certified teacher who travels to students' assigned schools to provide direct and/or consultative services relating to vision loss. Thorough knowledge of visual impairments & blindness, its implications for early development growth & learning; thorough knowledge of the Braille code & strategies for teaching Braille is required, along with strong skills in assistive technology and teaching the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC). Experience in assessing students' functional vision as well as knowledge of cortical visual impairment; effective interpersonal and communication skills to provide on-going support and consultation to school staff. Orientation and Mobility certification desirable but not required. A state Braille competency test is required.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in special education, with certification specifically in teaching students with visual impairment is required.
• Valid Washington State Teaching Certificate.
• Some positions may require valid first aid and CPR certification.
• Some positions may require a valid Washington State driver's license and/or a Class II driver's license.
• Criminal justice fingerprint and background check.

Nice To Haves

• Orientation and Mobility certification desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

• Assists in determining and procuring classroom equipment and materials necessary for students with visual impairments to learn (brailler, low vision devices, assistive technology, computer) including ensuring necessary room modifications and lighting changes.
• Provides the classroom teacher with information regarding the specialized strategies needed to teach a student with visual impairment.
• Consults with other instructional staff to provide information to incorporate the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) into the entire instructional setting.
• Provides adapted materials to the classroom teacher.
• Provides Braille, recorded/enlarged materials, and/or tactual symbols as appropriate for each child.
• Monitors the students' progress in academic subjects and provides instruction in compensatory skills as needed in the areas the students may have difficulty with as a result of the visual impairment.
• Teaches Braille reading and writing.
• Instructs on the use of low vision devices.
• Teaches the use of an abacus.
• Instructs on typing/keyboarding.
• Teaches technology skills (e.g., computers, Braille notetakers, JAWS, Magic, Duxbury).
• Develops listening skills.
• Enhances visual efficiency skills.
• Facilitates concept development (especially for infants and early childhood students).
• Teaches daily living/self-help skills.
• Prepares students for career readiness.
• Instructs leisure and recreation skills.
• Teaches social skills.
• Develops organizational and study skills.
• Promotes self-advocacy skills.
• Performs Functional Vision and Learning Media Assessments (FVA/LMA) on new referrals and three-year re-evaluations.
• Interprets eye medical reports as they relate to educational environments.
• Contributes to the development of the IEP/IFSP with goals, modifications, learning styles.
• Recommends appropriate specialized evaluations as needed, such as low vision, Orientation and Mobility, psycho-social, and adaptive physical education.
• Consults with diagnosticians, classroom teachers, students, and parents concerning appropriate evaluations, modification, and test administration.
• Obtains modified standardized testing materials and administers or assists in the administration of the test as needed.
• Works as liaison with other agencies in the vocational assessment process.
• Participates in team assessments for students with moderate to severe cognitive disabilities.
• Provides screening and referral procedures to appropriate personnel.
• Provides assistance to students with visual impairments in understanding their attitudes and those of others concerning their visual impairment.
• Facilitates social integration and interaction with peers.
• Provides training and support to parents of students with visual impairments to enhance their children's independence.
• Provides the teachers, staff, and family of students with visual impairment with information regarding their individual needs, methodology, and strategies.
• Participates with other school personnel and agencies to secure job-related experiences for students.
• Participates in transition planning.
• Provides updated student information (VI registration, deafblind census, textbook projections).
• Submits requests for instructional materials, conferences, field trips, and personnel needs.
• Informs various special education and campus personnel of progress and needs of the students with visual impairment on a regular basis.
• Identifies and sets up a work and storage space at each school to be used by the Teacher of the Visually Impaired to instruct students as necessary.
• Provides input into students' schedules, planning for all special services, such as direct instruction and Orientation & Mobility.
• Maintains adequate record of all assessments, IEPs, IFSP papers, progress reports and signed parental release forms for things such as photographs and registration with various agencies.
• Provides quarterly progress reports as indicated by school policy on students with visual impairment in regular education classes and follows up with teacher and/or parent conferences as appropriate.
• Registers students with visual impairments with appropriate agencies such as Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic, and the American Printing house for the Blind.
• Prepares paperwork as appropriate and attends IEPs and IFSP meetings on students with visual impairments.
• Distributes information to parents concerning workshops, conferences, and equipment acquisition.
• Communicates with low-vision specialists, ophthalmologists, and optometrists concerning exams, and attends exams when appropriate.
• Supervises material preparation and acquisition.
• Provides information about district and/or regional vision programs to the schools and community.
• Provides information concerning recreational and summer programs to parents and students and assists with application forms and procedures.
• Maintains a reference library.
• Acquires information about current research, development, and technology by attending conferences, workshops, and area meetings and by reading journals in the field of blindness & visual impairment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree