Teacher of the Visually Impaired (CDEB)

Walworth County • Elkhorn, WI

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is responsible for providing diagnostic, consultative, prescriptive and instructional services for children with visual impairments. The goal of the VI Teacher is to provide direct and/or consultative special education services designed to provide students with visual impairments access to a school and other appropriate educational environments (i.e. community). This position may supervise a paraprofessional, if assigned to a student caseload.

Requirements

• Must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education.
• Zero to six months of prior relevant experience.
• Must be eligible for a Wisconsin Teaching License #1825 – Visually Impaired.
• Ability to constantly use bilateral upper extremities, above/below waist and above/below shoulder height.
• Ability to constantly walk and stand.
• Ability to constantly use hands and fingers to manipulate objects or to tend to student needs.
• Ability to constantly lift and move up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to frequently lift and move up to 75 pounds with aid of provided equipment, or a second person assist.
• Ability to frequently lift, push or pull 50 pounds unassisted with bending and twisting of trunk.
• Ability to communicate to students using verbal and/or non-verbal communications.
• Ability to identify student care needs through auditory and/or visual clues.
• Protect student privacy and respond to situations that may put a student's privacy at risk.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate students suspected of having VI needs as a member of the individual education plan team.
• Formally reevaluate students enrolled in the VI program every three years.
• Provide continuous evaluation of student's progress and report that progress to the student's parents, classroom teacher and administrators.
• Develop a written educational evaluation on each student referred and evaluated as having suspected VI needs.
• Develop an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) on each student enrolled in the VI program in consultation with parents and classroom teachers.
• Meet with student's parents annually to review the IEP.
• Continually review student's IEPs and update the plan as objectives and goals are achieved.
• Recommend appropriate specialized evaluations and assessments, such as for low vision, orientation and mobility, psychosocial, and adaptive physical education.
• Provide instructional services necessary to achieve the goals and objectives listed in student's IEPs.
• Provide materials, resources and techniques to the regular classroom teachers, parents and other concerned parties whenever necessary to meet student's special education needs outside of the VI program.
• Provide assessment, instruction, and consultation to other educational team members on issues related to assistive technology, especially computer-based assistive technology as related to visual impairment instruction and/or modifications.
• Assist in determining need for and procuring classroom equipment and materials necessary for students with visual impairments to learn (braille, low-vision devices, assistive technology, computer, etc.) including ensuring necessary room modifications and lighting changes.
• Provide team members with information regarding specialized strategies needed for success with each VI student.
• Consult with other educational team members, including parents and adult service providers to provide information necessary to maximize incorporation of the expanded core curriculum into the entire instructional setting.
• Provide modified materials to team members (braille, recorded/enlarged materials, and tactile symbols as appropriate for each child).
• Provide in-services about children with visual impairments and his/her services to parents, classroom teachers and other concerned parties.
• Meet with parents whenever appropriate to discuss student progress.
• Perform other duties and functions requested by the Director of Special Education, his/her designee(s) and/or building administrators.
• Assist in integrating the student back into the district classroom when indicated and continue supportive contact with the student and the classroom teacher until transition is completed.
• Case manage students with Visual Impairments as directed.
• Assist in completing state and federal reporting requirements as necessary.
• Demonstrate a commitment to county safety and risk management efforts.
• Other duties as assigned by administration.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level