Special Education Sensory Services - Teacher-Visually Impaired - 1.0FTE

Seattle Public Schools

Washington

On-site

USD 50,000 - 70,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health benefits

Professional development opportunities

Retirement plan options

Job summary

A public school district in Washington is seeking a Teacher of the Visually Impaired for the 2026/2027 school year. The teacher will provide direct and consultative services to students with visual impairments. Key responsibilities include delivering the Expanded Core Curriculum, assessing students' functional vision, and collaborating with classroom teachers to adapt instructional materials. Candidates must hold a relevant degree and certification in teaching students with visual impairment, along with proficiency in assistive technology. Benefits are provided for eligible staff and a flexible schedule is offered.

Qualifications

Certification specifically in teaching students with visual impairment is required.
Experience in assessing students’ functional vision is necessary.
Orientation and Mobility certification desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

Provide direct instruction in the Expanded Core Curriculum.
Consult with instructional staff about specialized strategies.
Perform functional vision assessments on new referrals.

Skills

Knowledge of visual impairments & blindness

Skills in assistive technology

Effective interpersonal communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in special education

Certification in teaching students with visual impairment

Tools

Brailler

Low vision devices

Assistive technology devices

Job description

Overview Of Position

This position is for the 2026/2027 school year.

Overview Of Position

This position is for the 2026/2027 school year. To learn more about our special education service pathways, please follow this link to the SPS Special Education Department website.

The Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) is a certified teacher who travels to students' assigned schools to provide direct and/or consultative services relating to vision loss. Thorough knowledge of visual impairments & blindness, its implications for early development growth & learning; thorough knowledge of the Braille code & strategies for teaching Braille is required, along with strong skills in assistive technology and teaching the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC). Experience in assessing students\' functional vision as well as knowledge of cortical visual impairment; effective interpersonal and communication skills to provide on-going support and consultation to school staff. Orientation and Mobility certification desirable but not required. A state Braille competency test is required.

Essential Functions

25% \u003cb>Appropriate Learning Environment

Assists in determining and procuring classroom equipment and materials necessary for students with visual impairments to learn (brailler, low vision devices, assistive technology, computer) including ensuring necessary room modifications and lighting changes
Provides the classroom teacher with information regarding the specialized strategies needed to teach a student with visual impairment
Consults with other instructional staff to provide information to incorporate the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) into the entire instructional setting
Provides adapted materials to the classroom teacher
Provides Braille, recorded/enlarged materials, and/or tactual symbols as appropriate for each child

40% Direct Instruction in the Expanded Core Curriculum, (ECC) the Unique Curriculum designed for Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired

Monitors 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 adapted to accommodate the vision loss)
Braille reading and writing
Low vision devices
Abacus
Typing/keyboarding
Technology (e.g., computers, Braille notetakers, JAWS, Magic, Duxbury)
Listening skills
Visual efficiency skills
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 skills

10% Assessment and Evaluation of students who are blind or visually impaired

Performs Functional Vision and Learning Media Assessments (FVA/LMA) on new referrals and three-year re-evaluations
Interprets eye medical reports as they relate to educational environments
Contributes to the development of the IEP/IFSP with goals, modifications, learning styles.
Recommends appropriate specialized evaluations as needed, such as low vision, Orientation and Mobility, psycho-social, and adaptive physical education
Consults with diagnosticians, classroom teachers, students, and parents concerning appropriate evaluations, modification, and test administration
Obtains modified standardized testing materials and administer or assist in the administration of the test as needed
Works as liaison with other agencies in the vocational assessment process
Participates in team assessments for students with moderate to severe cognitive disabilities
Provides screening and referral procedures to appropriate personnel

10% Support Services

Provides assistance to students with visual impairments in understanding their attitudes and those of others concerning their visual impairment
Facilitates social integration and interaction with peers
Provides training and support to parents of students with visual impairments to enhance their children\'s independence
Provides the teachers, staff, and family of students with visual impairment with information regarding their individual needs, methodology, and strategies
Participates with other school personnel and agencies to secure job-related experiences for students
Participates in transition planning

5% Administrative/Record Keeping Duties

Provides updated student information (VI registration, deafblind census, textbook projections)
Submits requests for instructional materials, conferences, field trips, and personnel needs
Informs various special education and campus personnel of progress and needs of the students with visual impairment on a regular basis
Identifies and sets up a work and storage space at each school to be used by the Teacher of the Visually Impaired to instruct students as necessary
Provides input into students\' schedules, planning for all special services, such as direct instruction and Orientation & Mobility
Maintains adequate record of all assessments, IEPs, IFSP papers, progress reports and signed parental release forms for things such as photographs and registration with various agencies
Provides quarterly 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
Registers students with visual impairments with appropriate agencies such as Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic, and the American Printing house for the Blind
Prepares paperwork as appropriate and attend IEPs and IFSP meetings on students with visual impairments
Distributes information to parents concerning workshops, conferences, and equipment acquisition
Communicates with low-vision specialists, ophthalmologists, and optometrists concerning exams, and attend exams when appropriate
Supervises material preparation and acquisition

5% Liaison Between Community and School

Provide information about district and/or regional vision programs to the schools and community
Provides information concerning recreational and summer programs to parents and students and assist with application forms and procedures

5% Professional Standards

Maintains a reference library
Acquires information about current research, development, and technology by attending conferences, workshops, and area meetings and by reading journals in the field of blindness & visual impairment

Required Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Knowledge

Subject areas appropriate to assignment; effective behavior management techniques; effective instructional techniques; rules and procedures for student safety.

Skill In

Proficiency in reading, writing, and oral communications; effective communication with parents or guardians in a diverse community; designing and implementing lesson plans for students having a wide range of achievement.

Ability to

Deal with students in a positive and confident manner; be fair and consistent when working with a culturally, racially, and economically diverse student population; adapt to change and remain flexible; organize activities; manage student behavior; use good judgment to maintain a safe learning environment; provide instruction and demonstrate techniques; use necessary equipment, computers, machinery, tools, or software; direct assistants; in some positions, administer first aid and CPR; establish and maintain effective, positive working relationships with students, parents or guardians, staff and administrators.

Conditions/Disclaimers

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by those assigned to this position and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills. Employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed. District employees are not authorized to make promises of employment for a particular period of time, or promises of a particular level of compensation or benefits to job applicants for certified or classified position, and that any such agreement must be in writing and signed by the Superintendent. Any verbal or written statements to that effect by District employees other than the Superintendent are null and void. Additionally, nothing in this job description restricts management\'s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Typical Qualifications

Education And Experience
Bachelor\'s or Master\'s degree in special education, with certification specifically in teaching students with visual impairment is required.

Certificates & Licenses
Valid Washington State Teaching Certificate; some positions may require valid first aid and CPR certification; some positions may require a valid Washington State driver\'s license and/or a Class II driver\'s license.

Clearances
Criminal justice fingerprint and background check.

Seattle Public Schools benefits are administered by the Washington State Healthcare Authority (HCA) under the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB). Eligibility for benefits is determined by the number of hours employees are anticipated to work during the school year (September 1 through August 31). Any employee who is scheduled to work 630 hours or more in a year is eligible for benefits.

Salary Schedule
Please find the salary schedule associated with this role and others like it.

Are you a current Seattle Public Schools employee with a certificated contract for the next school year?

Are you a current Seattle Public Schools certificated substitute?

Do you hold a Bachelor\'s or Master\'s degree in special education, with certification specifically in teaching students with visual impairment?

Do you currently hold, OR will you hold by September 1, 2026, a WA State Teaching Certificate ?

Are you under contract with a district other than Seattle Public Schools for the next school year?

How many years of experience teaching students with visual impairment do you currently posses?