[Pibe-division] Teacher of the Visually Impaired (820_830) 2019.doc

Thu Jun 6 14:24:08 UTC 2019

PLANO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
Job Description

Job Title: 		Teacher of the Visually Impaired
Wage/Hour Status:	Exempt

Reports To:		Coordinator of Special Education Services	Pay
Range: 		820/30

Dept./School: 	Itinerant Special Ed				Date
Revised:		6/05/19	

Primary Purpose:
Provide students with visual impairments ranging in age from birth through
21 with direct and/or consultative special education services relating to
vision loss.  

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

Bachelor’s degree

Valid Texas teaching certificate with required endorsements or training for
subjects and level assigned (Teacher of the Visually Impaired required,
General Education and Special Education preferred)

	Special Knowledge/Skills:

		Ability to effectively instruct students and manage their
behavior

		Ability to work with students with visual impairments on
regular academic curriculum, as well as with 		students on modified
or alternate curriculum

		Ability to use accepted tests and measurements to assess
visual impairments and conditions

		Excellent organizational, communication, technology, and
interpersonal skills

Experience:

	       Previous experience as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired or
three year’s classroom experience is        	      preferred

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Assume responsibility for the organization and operation of work within the
area of supporting students and staff working with visually impaired
students following federal program guidelines as directed by the district
and as specified in 34 Code of Federal Regulations §300.208 (a)(1)

Attend and collaborate with ARD committee to develop the student’s
Individualized Education Program (IEP)

Develop and implement lesson plans that fulfill the requirements of the
students’ IEP’s and reflect the district’s established curriculum;
demonstrate written evidence of preparation as required which reflect the
needed accommodations for differences in student learning styles/needs,
including activities, materials and equipment

Provide direct instructional services with students as outlined in the IEP

Use assistive technology to strengthen the teaching/learning process

Provide classroom teachers with information and training regarding
specialized strategies needed to teach a VI student; assist classroom
teachers in implementing VI IEP goals and objectives

Consult with other instructional staff to incorporate the expanded core
curriculum into the entire instructional setting

Provide accommodated materials to the classroom teacher along with Braille,
recorded/enlarged materials, and tactual symbols as appropriate for each
child

Assist in determining the need for, recommending, and procuring classroom
equipment and materials and services necessary for students to learn (O&M
services, Braille, low vision devices, assistive technology, computer, etc.)
including ensuring necessary room modifications and lighting changes

Assist classroom teacher or case manager with ongoing assessment of student
achievement through informal testing, monitor student progress in academic
subjects and make appropriate recommendations for changes as needed

Perform Functional Vision and Learning Media Assessments for new referrals,
three year re-evaluations, and ARD/EPM requests

Interpret medical eye reports as they relate to educational environments

Provide assistance to students in understanding their visual impairment and
the attitudes of others concerning it

Assist in obtaining accommodated standardized testing materials (CoGat, MAP,
STAAR, SAT, ACT, etc.) and administer the test as needed

Create an environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the
physical, social, and emotional development of students

Provide positive behavioral supports to manage student behavior in
accordance with the Student Code of Conduct and Student Handbook

Establish and maintain open communications by conducting conferences with
supervisors, parents, student, related service providers, principals and
teachers

Provide input into student’s schedules, planning for all specialized
services, such as direct VI instruction and orientation and mobility lessons

Provide professional development in assigned schools to assist school
personnel in identifying and understanding visual deficits in students and
the use of assistive technology in instruction

Provide information to parents and students regarding recreational and
summer programs, programs through TSBVI, etc., and assist with application
forms and procedures

Use effective verbal and written communication skills to collaborate with
students, parents and 	colleagues

Serve as a liaison with other agencies; transition from early childhood
intervention services to public education, and transition to post-secondary
services

Communicate with low vision specialists, ophthalmologists, and optometrists
concerning exams, and attend exams when appropriate

Acquire information about current research, development, and technology by
attending conferences, workshops, and area meetings and by reading journals
in the field of visual impairment

Compile, maintain and file all reports, records, and other documents
required for District and TEA compliance.  Assist with registration of
visually impaired students and deafblind census along with agencies such as
Learning Ally, Texas State Library, and referrals to the Texas Workforce
Solutions and Blind Children’s Services

Completely and accurately maintain district master spreadsheet of all
students with visual impairments

Participate in curriculum development efforts and professional development
activities to improve job-related skills

Keep informed of and comply with federal, state, district and school
regulations and policies related to the delivery of special education
services

Follow all rules, regulations, and policies of Plano ISD and follow
directives from supervisor

Follow attendance policy as assigned by supervisor

Perform other functions that may be assigned by the Administration and/or
supervisor

Working Conditions:

Mental Demands:
	Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written); maintain
emotional control under stress

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:
	Work with frequent interruptions; frequent standing, stooping,
bending, kneeling, pushing and pulling; prolonged use of computer and
repetitive hand motions; occasional lifting up to 50 pounds

Acknowledgement:
Any work related experience or additional education/training resulting in
acceptable proficiency levels in the above required knowledge, skills, and
abilities may be an acceptable substitute for the above specified education
and experience requirements at the sole discretion of District
Administration.
Approved By:   W. Noel McBee, Coordinator of Compensation
Date:          06-05-19                                        ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and
responsibilities assigned to this job and are not intended to represent an
exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills that may be
required. District administration and/or my supervisor has the right to add
or change duties at any time. This job description supersedes all prior job
descriptions for this position as well as rescinding all past and present
job descriptions that do not reflect the current requirements of this
position.
My signature below indicates I understand and acknowledge my job
description.

Employee Signature:
Date:                                                   ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬

Edward C. Bell, Ph.D., CRC, NOMC, Director, 
Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness
Louisiana Tech University
600 Mayfield Ave / 210 Woodard Hall
PO Box 3158
Ruston LA 71272
Office: 318.257.4554                      Fax: 318.257.2259 
ebell at latech.edu  www.pdrib.com
*************
"I am somehow less interested in the weight and convolutions of  Einstein's
brain than in the near certainty that people of equal  talent have lived and
died in cotton fields and sweatshops."
 -- Stephen Jay Gould

-----Original Message-----
From: Paige Morra <paige.morra at gmail.com> 
Sent: Thursday, June 06, 2019 7:57 AM
To: ebell at pdrib.com
Subject: Teacher of the Visually Impaired (820_830) 2019.doc

Hey Mr. Eddie! Do you have any email lists/listservs we could send this out
on?

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