Description
TITLE: VISUALLY IMPAIRED TEACHER- ITINERANT
QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor' degree from an accredited educational institution.
Valid Florida teaching certificate in specialized field.
Special training and experience in working with students who are deaf and hard of hearing is preferred.
Satisfactory criminal background check and drug screening.
JOB GOALS: 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. These services enable the students to learn in a variety of settings. The students range in age from three 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.
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:
Assessment and Evaluation
Perform functional vision and learning media assessments on new referrals and three-year re-evaluations
Obtain/Interpret eye medical reports as they relate to educational environments
Contribute to the development of the IEP/504 Plans with goals, modifications, learning styles.
Recommend appropriate specialized evaluations as needed, such as low vision, orientation and mobility, psycho-social, and adaptive physical education, assistive technology
Consult with diagnosticians, classroom teachers, students, and parents concerning appropriate evaluations, modification, and test administration
Provide information regarding student needs on modified standardized testing materials (FSA, FSAA, SAT, ACT, etc.) and administer or assist in the administration of the test as needed
Work as liaison with other agencies in the assessment/procurement/educational/ process
Administer various other tests as appropriate as mandated by state exceptional student Education regulation 6A-6.03014
Participate in team assessments for students with moderate to severe cognitive disabilities
Coordinate Vision evaluations between Heiken Children’s Vision Services/FLDOH/Hendry County Staff
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. Order appropriate materials via FIMCVI Online Ordering System.
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.
Train paraprofessionals in the use of braille as appropriate.
Register students with the FIMCVI via their online system.
Conduct the Annual Census for FIMCVI and enter data on their online system.
Coordinate Services through Lighthouse SWFL for mobility.
Communicate with Division of Blind Services for eligible students
Direct Instruction in the Unique Curriculum
Monitor the students' progress in academic subjects and provide instruction in compensatory skills as defined in the Expanded Core Competencies for Blind and Visually Impaired Children needed in the areas the students may have difficulty with as a result of the visual impairment.
Braille reading and writing
Low vision devices
Abacus
Typing/keyboarding
Adaptive devices (e.g., computers, note takers, tape recorders)
Listening skills
Visual efficiency
Concept development (especially for infants and early childhood students)
Daily living/self-help skills
Career readiness
Leisure and recreation skills
Social skills
Organizational and study skills
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
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 impairment 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 to HCSB and FIMCVI
Submit requests for instructional materials, conferences, field trips, and personnel needs
Inform various special education and campus personnel of progress and needs of the students with visual impairment on a regular basis
Identify and set up a work and storage space at each school to be used by the VI teacher to instruct students as necessary
Provide input into students' schedules, planning for all special services, such as direct instruction and orientation and mobility
Maintain adequate record of all assessments, IEPs, 504 papers, progress reports and signed parental release forms for things such as photographs and registration with various agencies
Provide 9-week progress reports as indicated by school policy on students with visual impairment in regular education classes and follow up with teacher and/or parent conferences as appropriate
Register students with visual impairments with appropriate agencies such as Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic, Learning Ally, and assist with referral to the Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Blind and VI, DBS, etc.
Prepare paperwork as appropriate and attend IEPs, EPs and 504 meetings on students with visual impairments
Distribute information to parents concerning workshops, conferences, and equipment acquisition
Communicate with low-vision specialists, ophthalmologists, and optometrists concerning exams, and attend exams when appropriate
Supervise material preparation and acquisition through American Printing House and FIMCVI.
Liaison Between Community and School
Provide information about district and/or regional/state/vision programs to the schools and community.
Provide information concerning recreational and summer programs to parents and students and assist with application forms and procedures. Professional Standards
Maintain a reference library.
Acquire information about current research, development, and technology by attending conferences, workshops, and area meetings through Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired, etc.
Perform other duties as assigned. Perform other tasks consistent with the goals and objectives of this position.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, talk and hear. The employee is required to stand and walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Salary and benefits shall be paid consistent with the district’s board approved salary schedule. Length of the work year and hours of employment shall be those established by the district.
EVALUATION: Performance of this job will be evaluated by the immediate supervisor
REVISED: