Duties
Job Description
A vision teacher supports the TrueNorth mission and is committed to the possibilities in every learner, every day. TrueNorth strives to be a national leader and a highly valued partner with a courageous commitment to inclusive communities that equally value all people and inspire them to be active participants in our world.
The itinerant teacher for students with visual impairments offers services as determined by the IEP team to students ages three through twenty-one by traveling to each student’s assigned school. This teacher is responsible for the screening, assessment and development of individual education plans for the students with identified vision loss, while adhering to the applicable laws and policies that govern special education. Students are instructed in the expanded core curriculum, as well as common core with materials related to the subject areas. This teacher makes the necessary adaptations in accordance with their student’s individual program, which enables the student to learn in a variety of settings. An educator licensed in this field may also provide staff development and serve in the role of mentor, advisor, consultant, and advocate for the students and families for whom they serve.
In addition to the responsibilities stated above, the O&M Specialist is responsible for developing and conducting an orientation and mobility assessment for children with visual impairments in order to determine the nature and extent of services needed. The O&M Specialist instructs specifically in the expanded core curriculum area of Orientation and Mobility. The O&M provides a program and instruction to promote cognitive; academic; communication and language; behavioral and social; and physical development.
Core Competencies
- Effective Collaborative Problem-solving ability
- Proficient Communication skills
- Engages in Continuous Professional Improvement
- Possess Job Specific Skills required to meet essential job function
Essential Job Functions
- Perform functional vision and learning media assessments on new referrals and three-year re-evaluations. Recommend appropriate specialized evaluations as needed, such as low vision, orientation and mobility, psycho-social, and adaptive physical education.
- Perform orientation and mobility assessments on new referrals and three-year re-evaluations. - Develop age-appropriate IEP goals for safe and independent travel, obtaining appropriate equipment (cane) to support the goals.
- Contribute to the development of the IEP with goals, modifications, learning styles, and transition plans as needed, including adapting job related experiences.
- Prepare documentation and team assessments to attend IEP meetings to communicate with staff, parents, and students about updates for progress of goals.
- Consult with diagnosticians, classroom teachers, students, and parents concerning appropriate evaluations, modification, and test administration.
- Consult with related staff (physical therapists, occupational therapists and adapted physical education teachers) concerning appropriate evaluation, instructional strategies and accommodations to foster motor development.
- Assist in determining and procuring classroom equipment and materials necessary for the student with visual impairments to learn (Brailler, low vision devices, and specialized assistive technology) including ensuring necessary room modifications and lighting changes.
- Provide input into students’ schedules, planning for all special services, such as direct instruction and orientation and mobility, to enhance a students’ independence.
- Monitor the students’ progress in academic subjects and providing 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).
- Instruct student on the use of adaptive devices and assistive technology (e.g., computers, note takers, digital recording devices, refreshable Braille displays, screenreaders, low vision devices).
- Provide instruction to promote listening skills, visual efficiency, concept development, career readiness, leisure and recreation skills, social skills, organization and study skills, and self-advocacy.
- Provide orientation and mobility instruction to promote independent travel in school, child’s neighborhood and community.
- Maintain all records as required by TrueNorth. Prepare and communicate these records with low-vision specialists, ophthalmologists, and optometrists and interpret eye medical reports as they relate to educational environments.
- Participate in professional growth activities such as conferences, classes, staff meetings and visitations.
- Register students with visual impairments with appropriate agencies such as Learning Ally, Bookshare, and Library of Congress.
- Coordinate with the Bureau of Blind Services and other outside agencies when a student is transitioning to adult services.
- Assist in procuring state identification and mass transit cards for those students who will not be able to drive.
- Locate available scholarships specific to students with VI.
- Maintain a reference library as part of the TrueNorth vision team and order and return materials through IIMC.
Salary/Benefits
Regionally competitive salary, medical and dental coverage, district paid life insurance, tuition reimbursement, flexible spending options, participating in the Teacher Retirement System (TRS).
Additional Notes
Reports to:
Lead Vision Teacher
Director of Instruction