Teacher of the Visually Impaired (CDEB)

Walworth County; Elkhorn (WI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Walworth County is seeking a Vision Impairment (VI) Teacher to provide diagnostic, consultative, prescriptive and instructional services for children with visual impairments. The role focuses on direct and/or consultative special education to ensure VI students access education in school and community environments.

The teacher will develop IEPs, evaluate students, and collaborate with parents and staff to implement expanded core curricula and assistive technologies.

Qualifications

• Must possess a Bachelor's degree in Special Education and zero to six months of prior relevant experience.
• Must be eligible for a Wisconsin Teaching License #1825 - Visually Impaired.

Responsibilities

• The VI Teacher shall evaluate students suspected of having VI needs.
• The VI Teacher shall formally reevaluate students enrolled in the VI program every three years.
• The VI Teacher shall provide continuous evaluation of student's progress and report that progress to the student's parents, classroom teacher and administrators.
• The VI Teacher shall develop a written educational evaluation on each student referred and evaluated as having suspected VI needs.
• The VI Teacher shall meet with student's parents annually to review the IEP.
• The VI Teacher shall continually review student's IEP's and shall update the plan as objectives and goals are achieved.
• The VI Teacher shall recommend appropriate specialized evaluations and assessments, such as for low vision, orientation and mobility, psychosocial, and adaptive physical education.
• The VI Teacher shall schedule instructional time that is appropriate to meet student's educational needs.
• The VI Teacher shall provide instructional services necessary to achieve the goals and objectives listed in student's IEP's.
• The VI Teacher shall provide materials, resources and techniques to the regular classroom teachers, parents and other concerned parties whenever necessary to meet student's special education needs outside of the VI program.
• The VI Teacher shall provide assessment, instruction, and consultation to other educational team members on issues related to assistive technology, especially computer-based assistive technology as related to visual impairment instruction and/or modifications.
• The VI Teacher will assist in determining need for and procuring classroom equipment and materials necessary for students with visual impairments to learn including ensuring necessary room modifications and lighting changes.
• The VI Teacher shall provide team members with information regarding specialized strategies needed for success with each VI student.
• The VI Teacher will consult with other educational team members, including parents and adult service providers to provide information necessary to maximize incorporation of the expanded core curriculum into the entire instructional setting.
• The VI Teacher shall provide modified materials to team members (braille, recorded/enlarged materials, and tactile symbols as appropriate for each child).
• Upon request, the VI Teacher shall provide in-services about children with visual impairments and his/her services to parents, classroom teachers and other concerned parties.
• The VI Teacher shall meet with parents whenever appropriate to discuss student progress.
• The VI Teacher shall perform other duties and functions requested by the Director of Special Education, his/her designee(s) and/or building administrators.
• The VI Teacher shall assist in integrating the student back into the district classroom when indicated and continue supportive contact with the student and the classroom teacher until transition is completed.
• The VI Teacher shall case manage students with Visual Impairments as directed.
• The VI Teacher will assist in completing state and federal reporting requirements as necessary.
• Demonstrate a commitment to county safety and risk management efforts.
• Other duties as assigned by administration.

Skills

Special education

IEP development

Collaborative teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Special Education

Wisconsin Teaching License #1825 - Visually Impaired

Tools

Assistive technology awareness

Braille instruction

Job description

This position is responsible for providing diagnostic, consultative, prescriptive and instructional services for children with visual impairments. The goal of the VI Teacher is to provide direct and/or consultative special education services designed to provide students with visual impairments access to a school and other appropriate educational environments (i.e. community).

SUPERVISION

This position may supervise a paraprofessional, if assigned to a student caseload.

SCHEDULE

Days: Monday - Friday

Work Hours: 7:30 am to 3:30 pm

Hours Per Shift: 8

Shifts Per Pay Period: 10

Position FTE: 1.00

This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Diagnostic and Evaluation

The VI Teacher, as a member of the individual education plan team, shall evaluate students suspected of having VI needs.

The VI Teacher shall formally reevaluate students enrolled in the VI program every three years.

The VI Teacher shall provide continuous evaluation of student's progress and report that progress to the student's parents, classroom teacher and administrators.

Reporting and Prescriptive Planning

The VI Teacher shall develop a written educational evaluation on each student referred and evaluated as having suspected VI needs.

The VI Teacher, in consultation with parents and classroom teachers, shall develop an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) on each student enrolled in the VI program.

The VI Teacher shall meet with student's parents annually to review the IEP.

The VI Teacher shall continually review student's IEP's and shall update the plan as objectives and goals are achieved.

The VI Teacher shall recommend appropriate specialized evaluations and assessments, such as for low vision, orientation and mobility, psychosocial, and adaptive physical education.

Instructional Services

The VI Teacher, in cooperation with the classroom teacher and other involved parties, shall schedule instructional time that is appropriate to meet student's educational needs.

The VI Teacher shall provide instructional services necessary to achieve the goals and objectives listed in student's IEP's.

The VI Teacher shall provide materials, resources and techniques to the regular classroom teachers, parents and other concerned parties whenever necessary to meet student's special education needs outside of the VI program.

The VI Teacher shall provide assessment, instruction, and consultation to other educational team members on issues related to assistive technology, especially computer-based assistive technology as related to visual impairment instruction and/or modifications.

Maintaining Appropriate Learning Environment

The VI Teacher will assist in determining need for and procuring classroom equipment and materials necessary for students with visual impairments to learn (braille, low-vision devices, assistive technology, computer, etc.) including ensuring necessary room modifications and lighting changes.

The VI Teacher shall provide team members with information regarding specialized strategies needed for success with each VI student.

The VI Teacher will consult with other educational team members, including parents and adult service providers to provide information necessary to maximize incorporation of the expanded core curriculum into the entire instructional setting.

The VI Teacher shall provide modified materials to team members (braille, recorded/enlarged materials, and tactile symbols as appropriate for each child).

Other Services

Upon request, the VI Teacher shall provide in-services about children with visual impairments and his/her services to parents, classroom teachers and other concerned parties.

The VI Teacher shall meet with parents whenever appropriate to discuss student progress.

The VI Teacher shall perform other duties and functions requested by the Director of Special Education, his/her designee(s) and/or building administrators.

The VI Teacher shall assist in integrating the student back into the district classroom when indicated and continue supportive contact with the student and the classroom teacher until transition is completed.

The VI Teacher shall case manage students with Visual Impairments as directed.

The VI Teacher will assist in completing state and federal reporting requirements as necessary.

Demonstrate a commitment to county safety and risk management efforts.

Other duties as assigned by administration.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below 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.

Education and/or Experience and Licensure

Must possess a Bachelor's degree in Special Education and zero to six months of prior relevant experience. Must be eligible for a Wisconsin Teaching License #1825 - Visually Impaired.

Interactions and Communications

Provides specialized information and/or recommendations regarding an area of expertise. Additionally, The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects students' privacy. During the course of duty, the employee will have access to all information that is needed to perform their job, but they shall not have, or seek to gain access to student information that is not necessary to perform their job.

Every employee, even one who does not use protected student information in their work duties, is obligated under the provisions of FERPA. All employees must protect student privacy and respond to situations that may put a student's privacy at risk.

Decision Making

This position has authority to make decisions that are within general procedures and protocols; supervision is available as required or requested. These decisions directly impact performance in the job and/or work unit within the department and information is provided to others for their decision-making.

Thinking and Problem Solving

In relation to established procedures, protocols and policies of the County, challenges in this position tend to be diverse, but are typically covered by precedent or established practice.

Tools & Equipment Used

• Vocera Copy Machine
• Telephone Personal Computer/Printer
• Calculator Assistive Technology
• Other applicable tools to perform required job duties

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing 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 may be exposed to environmental hazards, including chemical hazards (e.g. waste anesthetics, cleaning compounds, facility chemicals), physical hazards (e.g. kicking, biting, scratching students) and airborne and bloodborne pathogen exposure. Will be exposed to indoor and outdoor climate and weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to constantly use bilateral upper extremities, above/below waist and above/below shoulder height.
• Ability to constantly walk and stand
• Ability to constantly use hands and fingers to manipulate objects or to tend to student needs.
• Ability to constantly lift and move up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to frequently lift and move up to 75 pounds with aid of provided equipment, or a second person assist.
• Ability to frequently lift, push or pull 50 pounds unassisted with bending and twisting of trunk.
• Ability to communicate to students using verbal and/or non-verbal communications.
• Ability to identify student care needs through auditory and/or visual clues.

Constant means at least 2/3's of the shift.

Frequent means at least 1/3 of the shift.