Teacher of the Visually Impaired

Foundation for Blind Children; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Foundation for Blind Children in Phoenix, AZ invites applications for a Classroom Teacher of the Visually Impaired. You will manage a class of visually impaired students, adapt instruction to diverse needs, and collaborate with support staff to implement each student’s educational plan.

The role emphasizes direct instruction, family engagement, and coordination with therapists and school services. Valid AZ teaching certification, fingerprint clearance, CPR/First Aid, and experience with VI

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the early development of children and the special learning needs of visually impaired children; techniques and procedures of teaching and assessments.
• Ability to modify and adapt classroom materials, equipment, and classroom environment
• Ability to work with a group of professionals and coordinate classroom schedule to best meet students’ needs
• Ability to establish rapport and maintain effective relationships with children and their families
• Work cooperatively with parents, peers, administrators and school representatives
• Maintain confidentiality and professional competence

Responsibilities

• Provide direct instruction within a classroom setting in all areas of development
• Provide education and support to the students’ families
• Coordinate students’ IEP with service providers and family
• Administer assessments and prepare reports (IEP, progress notes)
• Maintain data collection and students’ records
• Train, supervise and evaluate para-educators in the classroom
• Collaborate with related service providers
• Coordinate and monitor each student’s daily medical needs
• Maintain supplies and materials for the classroom

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Education of the Visually Impaired (Master’s preferred)

Arizona Teaching Certificate

Basic computer skills

Strong communication and collaboration

Adaptability and inclusive instruction

Tools

Assistive/ Braille technology

Job description

Location: Phoenix, AZ

Employment Type: Full-Time

Salary: Competitive

Job Description

About Foundation for Blind Children

Foundation for Blind Children (FBC) is a high profile, nationally recognized non-profit agency recently featured on FOX News, NBC’s “Today” Show, and in Arizona Highways magazine, USA Today and the Arizona Republic. Established in 1952, FBC serves over 2,000 individuals who are blind and visually impaired of all ages, from birth to 100+ years old on three campuses in the Valley. Our preschool program for children who are blind and visually impaired is one of the largest in Arizona and we are the leader in the blind community for new and innovative methods. The vision of the Foundation for Blind Children is a world where vision loss is a diagnosis, not a disability.

Job Purpose

The role of the Classroom Teacher of the Visually Impaired is to manage a class of learners who are visually impaired in a manner that meets the individual needs of each student in the class. This includes promoting learning and supplementing activities, coordinating and collaborating with support staff, using a variety of teaching approaches, and adapting instruction to include all students. The classroom teacher is responsible for the implementation each student's overall functional and academic program.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Provide direct instruction within a classroom setting in all areas of development


• Provide education and support to the students’ families


• Coordinate students’ individual education plan and the school day with other service providers and family


• Administer assessments and prepare corresponding report such as but not limited to FVA, LMA, IEP, developmental checklists, progress notes


• Maintain data collection and students’ records


• Train, supervise and evaluate para-educators in the classroom


• Communicate effectively with assistant director, therapists, families, and students’ home school districts


• Maintain supplies and materials for the classroom


• Provide specialized instruction as the students’ teacher of the visually impaired


• Collaborate with related service providers


• Coordinate and monitor each student’s daily, routine medical needs including monitoring overall health, monitoring and documenting seizure activity, and provide direction and supervision of para-educators’ attention to these needs

Qualifications/Requirements

• Demonstrate knowledge of the early development of children and the special learning needs of visually impaired children; techniques and procedures of teaching and assessments


• Ability to modify and adapt classroom materials, equipment, and classroom environment


• Ability to work with a group of professionals and coordinate classroom schedule to best meet students’ needs


• Ability to establish rapport and maintain effective relationships with children and their families


• Work cooperatively with parents, peers, administrators and school representatives


• Maintain and improve professional competence


• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people in a multi-cultural, diverse socioeconomic setting


• Ability to maintain confidentiality


• Basic computer skills


• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred) from accredited college or university in education of the visually impaired or early childhood with current certification visual impairment


• Valid Arizona Teaching Certificate


• Fingerprint Clearance Card issued by Arizona Department of Public Safety


• CPR/First Aid/AED


• Article 9

Working conditions

• Works in a traditional climate controlled school environment


• Will spend time outdoors and offsite for periodic events and fieldtrips

Physical Requirements

• Ability to move body in many different ways in order to interact with and position students such as: stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, pushing and pulling consistently throughout the day and on a daily basis


• Required to routinely lift a minimum of 25 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds

Personal Characteristics

• Accountable


• Trustworthy


• Critical thinker


• Collaborative


• Belief that all children can learn


• Celebrates progress


• Strong awareness of self

Direct reports

• Assigned Para-Educators

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Foundation for Blind Children is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to excellence through diversity. All eligible candidates are invited to apply for position vacancies as appropriate.