Teacher of Visually Impaired - Special Education

Itinerant Teacher For Students With Visual Impairments

The itinerant teacher for students with visual impairments travels to the students' assigned schools to provide direct and/or consultative special education services relating to vision loss. Services for infants may be provided in the infants' homes or child care settings. The students range in age from birth through 21 and may have only a visual impairment or additional disabilities. The cognitive levels of the students range from severely impaired to gifted and talented.

Education/Certification :

Bachelor's degree from a college or university

Texas certification for teachers of students with visual impairments.

Special Knowledge/

Skills:

Knowledge and skills required to administer and interpret appropriate screening, assessment and evaluation instruments

Skill in interpersonal communication with peers, students, parents, and teachers

Braille

Ability to work with a wide range of students with visual impairments

Leadership qualities

Ability to maintain a level of respect from peers

Understand human behavior dynamics and an ability to interact effectively with educational personnel

Drive self in own vehicle to multiple school sites in the district to provide services

Experience:

Classroom teaching or related experience in providing direct services to a wide range of students with visual impairments

Assessment and Evaluation

Perform functional vision and learning media assessments on new referrals and three-year re-evaluations

Interpret eye medical reports as they relate to educational environments

Contribute to the development of the IEP/IFSP with goals, modifications, learning styles.

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

Consult with diagnosticians, classroom teachers, students, and parents concerning appropriate evaluations, modification, and test administration

Obtain modified standardized testing materials (NAPT, ITBS, TAKS, SAT, ACT, etc.) and administer or assist in the administration of the test as needed

Work as liaison with other agencies in the vocational assessment process

Administer various other tests as appropriate (Oregon Project, Insite, Hawaii, Boehme, LAP, E-LAP, etc.)

Participate in team assessments for students with moderate to severe cognitive disabilities

Provide screening and referral procedures to appropriate personnel.

Appropriate Learning Environment

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

Provide the classroom teacher with information regarding the specialized strategies needed to teach a VI student

Consult with other instructional staff to provide information to incorporate the Expanded Core Curriculum into the entire instructional setting

Provide modified materials to the classroom teacher

Provide Braille, recorded/enlarged materials, and tactual symbols as appropriate for each child.

Direct Instruction in the Unique Curriculum

Monitor the students' progress in academic subjects and provide instruction in compensatory skills as needed in the areas the students may have difficulty with as a result of the visual impairment (This does not include tutoring in subject areas once materials and methods have been modified to accommodate the vision loss).

a. Braille reading and writing

b. Low vision devices

c. Abacus

d. Typing/keyboarding

e. Adaptive devices (e.g., computers, note takers, tape recorders)

f. Listening skills

g. Visual efficiency

h. Concept development (especially for infants and early childhood students)

i. Daily living/self-help skills

j. Career readiness

k. Leisure and recreation skills

l. Social skills

m. Organizational and study skills

n. Self-advocacy

Support Services

Provide assistance to students with visual impairments in understanding their attitudes and those of others concerning their visual impairment

Facilitate social integration and interaction with peers

Facilitate and schedule, when appropriate, students' attendance at regional Expanded Core Curriculum events, and provide support at events as needed.

Provide training and support to parents of students with visual impairments to enhance their children's independence

Provide the teachers, staff, and family of students with visual impairments with information regarding their individual needs, methodology, and strategies

Participate with other school personnel and agencies to secure job-related experiences for students

Participate in transition planning.

Administrative/Record Keeping Duties

Provide updated pupil information (VI registration, deafblind census, textbook projections)

Submit requests for instructional materials, conferences, and personnel needs

Inform various special education and campus personnel of progress and needs of the…