Primary Purpose

Provide diagnostic and instructional services for students with visual impairments  and provide appropriate learning experiences designed to help them fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical, and social growth; enable students to develop competencies and skills to function successfully in society; and, to act as a liaison with community services.

Qualifications

Education/Certification

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

Valid Texas Teaching certificate

Valid Texas certification for teachers of students with visual impairments including Braille Certification

Certification as an Orientation and Mobility Specialist preferred

Special Knowledge/Skills

Effective communication and interpersonal skills

Knowledge and demonstrated competency in the subject(s) assigned

General knowledge of curriculum and instruction

Ability to instruct students and manage behavior

Openness to change and innovation to meet the needs of all students

Experience

At least one year student teaching or approved internship

Major Responsibilities and Duties

Instructional strategies to promote student growth

1. Perform functional vision and learning media assessments, and if certified, perform orientation and mobility related service evaluation, on new referrals and three-year re-evaluations as part of the Full an Individual Evaluation

2. Interpret eye medical reports as they relate to educational environments

3. Provide direct instruction and consultative services in the unique curriculum as for students with visual impairments based on assessment that may include: Braille reading and writing, low vision devices, abacus, adaptive devices (note takers, tape recorders), listening skills, visual efficiency, concept development, dialing living/self-help skills, career readiness, leisure and recreation skills, social skills, transition planning, and/or self-advocacy.

4. Provide services relating to vision loss for infants in collaboration with ECI agencies following Infant Family Service Plans in infants' homes or child care settings.

5. Plan and provide direct and consultative vision services consistent with goals and objectives contained in the student’s IEP for assigned students according to federal, state, campus, and district requirements.

6. Work cooperatively with other members of general and special education staff and administrators to determine present levels of performance; accommodations/modifications; goals and objectives; as well as, learning styles.

7. Consult with the classroom teacher, aides, and other staff providing information regarding the specialized strategies needed to teach a student with a visual impairment.

8. Provide adapted materials to the classroom teacher, including the provision of: braille, recorded/enlarged materials, and tactual symbols as appropriate for each child.

9. Consult with other instructional staff to provide information to develop and incorporate the expanded core curriculum into the entire instructional setting.

10. Guide the learning of students in accordance with the district’s philosophy of education toward the achievement of curriculum goals aligning teaching and available resources to the district curriculum.

11. Present subject matter according to guidelines established by the Texas Education Agency, board policies, administrative guidelines and the District curriculum.

12. Monitor the students' progress in academic subjects and use results to plan and provide instruction and compensatory skills as needed in the areas the students may have difficulty with as a result of the visual impairment

13. If certified in Orientation and Mobility, provide instruction to students with visual impairments in the use of their remaining senses in techniques for safe movement from one place to another in the educational environment as determined by the IEP for curriculum based needs.

14. Obtain adapted standardized testing materials (NAPT, ITBS, STARR, SAT, ACT) and administer or assist in the administration of the test as needed

15. Assist in determining and procuring classroom equipment and materials necessary for the student with visual impairments to learn (brailler, low vision devices, assistive technology, computer) including ensuring necessary room modifications and lighting changes

Communication

1. Recommend appropriate specialized evaluations as needed, such as low vision, orientation and mobility, psycho-social, and adaptive physical education

2. Work as liaison with other agencies in the vocational assessment process

3. Register students with visual impairments with appropriate agencies such as Learning Ally, and the Texas State Library, and assist with referral to the DARS-Division for Blind Services.

4. Communicate with low-vision specialists, ophthalmologists, and optometrists concerning exams, and attend exams when appropriate

5. Use effective communication skills to present information accurately and clearly.

6. Maintain a professional and cordial relationship with colleagues, students, parents, and community members.

7. Adhere to local, state, and federal guidelines regarding confidentiality.

8. Establish and maintain open communication by conducting conferences with students, parents, and other staff members.

Classroom management and organization

1. Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students.

2. Manage student behavior in accordance with the CCISD Student Code of Conduct and handbook.

3. Provides for care and protection of school property and be held accountable for books, equipment, and other instructional materials.

4. Prepare paperwork as appropriate and attend ARDs and IFSP meetings on students with visual impairments.

5. Maintains accurate student attendance, grading records, record of all assessments, IEPs, ARD papers, progress reports and signed parental release forms for things such as photographs and registration with various agencies in compliance with local and state requirements.

6. Assists in upholding and implementing administrative regulations and board policy.

7. Manage and utilize data effectively for systemic process and program analysis.

   • Account for the accuracy and verification of all student program data and reports.

   • Implement data-driven decision making for improvement efforts based on best practices.

8. Manage and utilize policy effectively for maintaining systemic processes and practices.

   • Account for the verification of the correct policy regarding all decisions and correspondence.

   • Implement effective policy-driven decision making.

Professional growth and development

1. Seek and participate in professional development activities to improve instructional effectiveness thereby increasing student achievement.

2. Participate collaboratively with colleagues to reflect on one’s teaching practices.

3. Stay abreast of developments in the profession and display openness to change and innovation.

4. Maintain updated record of all professional development activities.

5. Keep informed of and comply with state, district, and school regulations and policies.

6. Attend and participate in faculty meetings and serve on staff committees as required.

Personal growth and work habits

1. Participate as an effective team member who contributes to district, department, and content goals.

2. Submit all legal documents in a timely manner as required by Federal, State, and District.

3. Display proficient levels of technology applications.

4. Utilize time wisely for effective management of job responsibilities.

5. Meet deadlines to submit goals and objectives, written evaluation reports, lesson plans, progress reports, grades and other documents as required by the campus/district.

6. Maintain punctuality in daily work times, appointments, and meetings.

7. Maintain friendly customer-service-driven interactions with all stakeholders, students, teachers, administrators, and co-workers.

8. Work cooperatively with co-workers and supervisors to ensure that the goals of the school/department are met.

9. Maintain a positive and professional tone in all communication (i.e. email, written, and verbal).

10. Perform other duties and accept other responsibilities as assigned, including attendance at applicable school graduation ceremonies and any requested school trainings, regardless of when conducted.

Working Conditions

Mental Demands

Effective verbal and written communication; concentration while performing duties; ability to maintain emotional control under stress; ability to work with frequent interruptions

Physical Demand/Environmental Factors

Frequent standing, stooping, bending, lifting, moving textbooks, media equipment, desks, and other classroom materials

Term: 187 days or as assigned