Teacher of the Visually Impaired

Helen Keller Services•New York, NY

13d•Onsite

About The Position

Are you ready to make a difference in your community? Do YOU want to work on a team that is committed to empowering individuals? At Helen Keller Services, our employees work in an environment that is more than just a workplace, it’s a community. Since 1893, Helen Keller Services (HKS) has been committed to improving the lives of individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or have combined hearing and vision loss. HKS serves the New York City/Long Island area from its new headquarters in dynamic downtown Brooklyn and the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults of Sands Point, New York, which has a network of regional offices that extends HKS’ reach across the United States. We currently have an exciting full-time career opportunity available to join the HKS team as a New York State-licensed Teacher of the Visually Impaired in our Children's Learning Center located in Brooklyn, NY.

Requirements

Master’s degree in special education and/or a TVI Certificate.
New York State Education Department / Students with Disabilities (Birth-Grade 2, 1-6, or all grades) Initial or Professional Certificate and/or Blind and Visually Impaired Initial Certificate

Nice To Haves

2 years’ in-classroom experience is preferred, but not necessary.

Responsibilities

Understand Relevant Medical Information
Describe the anatomy and physiology of the visual system.
Describe common eye conditions/etiologies (i.e. macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, retinopathy of prematurity, glaucoma, cataracts, cortical visual impairment, etc.) of consumers and their implications on visual functioning and be able to interpret eye reports.
Have a basic understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders and the other disabilities classified under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Plan and Conduct Children’s Learning Center IEP Assessments
Understand and execute a formal case review of the student’s history including educational, rehabilitation and medical information that is available.
Gain an understanding before formal in-person assessment through dialogue with the student’s parents and school district administrators as to the child’s present functioning level.
Assess the student’s present level of functioning in each of the following areas related to their education: Fine Motor Gross Motor Speech and Language Cognitive Social / Emotional
Based on the student’s IEP evaluations and accompanying medical assessments and the student’s parent’s input, determine appropriate short term instructional objectives and annual goals.
Must be able to explain, demonstrate, provide instruction and reinforce all core areas of the New York State Pre-K Foundation for the Common Core Curriculum. This will be done through working collaboratively with his / her follow teachers, therapists and the school principal to write monthly themes and weekly lesson plans.
Respect the rights of each student’s family to participate in decisions regarding their assessment and instructional program.
Effectively monitor the development of each of his / her student’s skills, assess risk to the student during all assessment and instructional activities, and protect the best interest of each student via intervening as appropriate to ensure consumer safety.
Facilitate each student’s independence and problem solving across all five domains, (fine & gross motor, speech / language, cognitive and social emotional skills).
Communicate with all families on a regular basis through ClassDoJo. This includes posting at least one message per week with photos on the class page and responding to direct messages in at least 48 hours.
Maintain their New York State certification by performing the essential teaching responsibilities at HKSB and remain current with pedagogical research, teaching methods and new aids/devices via continuing education opportunities.
Maintain notes of every student for assessment and instruction detailing the objective, details of class, and next steps to achieve.
Compose and submit all Children’s Learning Center Report Cards, Quarterly and Annual Reports written based on observations and data collected from the student in an objective and professional manner.
Participate and contribute in monthly teacher meetings and all full staff meetings.
Maintain a professional demeanor at all times and contribute to the upkeep of their personal space and shared work space.
Supervise and manage at least 2 Assistant Teachers. This includes writing each Assistant’s Annual Performance Review.
Responsible for other duties as may be assigned or requested by his/her immediate supervisor and/or the Director of the Department.