Special Education Teacher - Students with Visual Impairments

Teacher of the Visually Impaired

Position requires planning, organization, and implementation of appropriate instructional programs to address the learning needs of visually impaired students; to guide and encourage in the fulfillment of educational potentials in both curricular and extracurricular activities.

Provide specialized instruction and services required to meet the unique educational needs of visually impaired students.

Develop/utilize a variety of learning materials and resources to support the learning needs of students at varying levels of progress.

Use relevant technology to support instruction.

Observe and evaluate student performance and progress.

Assist students, parents, special, and general education personnel in the interpretation of the visually impaired student's specific eye condition; the educational implications of the visual impairment; and the results of functional vision and learning media assessments.

Consult regularly with the classroom teachers; other regular and special education personnel; parents, and others to support programs and services for visually impaired students.

Assist teachers by facilitating environmental adjustments for visually impaired students in the school setting.

Assist classroom teachers in the identification of instructional areas in which the student requires assistance.

Assure that large-type or braille texts, supplementary materials, educational, aids, and equipment needed by the visually impaired student, and the classroom teacher, are provided in a timely manner to ensure the student's maximum participation in all classroom activities.

Provide instruction in the development and maintenance of skills to meet the student's unique educational needs including: low vision & visual efficiency skills; concept development & academic skills; daily living skills; career & vocational education skills; communication skills (including braille reading and writing, as appropriate); and social/emotional skills and abilities; & sensory motor skills.

Prepare sequential and meaningful instruction designed for the student's assessed needs, IEP goals and objectives, functional, and motivational levels.

Provide assistance to the classroom teacher to ensure appropriate adaptations in the educational environment to ensure academic access.

Provide initial and ongoing assessment to determine present levels of performance.

Participate as a team member in IEP meetings for students with visual impairments.

Participate in departmental, school, and district professional development opportunities.

Collaborate with other personnel for the appropriate service provision to students, such as braillists, teachers, counselors, O&M specialists, career/vocational education staff, and other related service staff.

Maintain knowledge of current research, development, and technologies related to vision impairments and appropriate intervention strategies.

Establish and maintain effective relationships with parents.

Perform other tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the Principal or other appropriate administrators.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required):

Bachelor's Degree or Higher from an accredited college or university.

Certification as required by the state of South Carolina in the field of the Visually Impaired.

Certification as a specialist in Orientation and Mobility from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education of Professionals (ACVREP) (preferred)

Other professional and personal qualifications as deemed necessary for acceptable fulfillment of assigned responsibilities.

High levels of energy and enthusiasm are highly important to being able to perform all duties in a satisfactory manner.

Duties are normally performed in a school/classroom environment. Duties may be conducted in work-related community settings and/or occasionally performed on study trips away from the school.

Pay Grade: Teacher Pay Grade