Teacher Blind Visually Impaired

The Itinerant Teacher of the Blind and Visually Impaired provides consultative and/or direct educational vision services to blind and visually impaired students from birth to 21 years of age and related staff. This teacher is responsible for teaching skills that will enable the student to function as independently as possible in the classroom, home, and community. Skills taught include compensatory academic skills incorporating communication and disability specific expanded core curriculum. The TBVI teacher functions as a member of the student’s IEP team and collaborates with school staff, parents, and other agencies. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Reporting directly to the Central Coordinator of Special Education, the Itinerant Teacher of the Blind & Visually Impaired (TBVI) performs the following duties: Essential Functions  Assesses students using formal and informal assessments for the purpose of identifying educational needs including curricular, social and equipment needs.  Assists classroom teachers for the purpose of identifying and facilitating the use of accommodations required for classroom and state standardized testing.  Participates in IEP meetings for the purpose of developing educational plans for visually impaired students.  Interprets the needs of visually impaired students to school staff for the purpose of increasing understanding of the student’s accommodations and modifications.  Acts as a liaison with community agencies for the purpose of facilitating the educational program.  Maintains modified materials (large prints, Braille, audio, electronic) required for blind and visually impaired students for the purpose of accessing current curriculum including ordering, inventorying, storing, and issuing books and materials.  Provides Braille instruction and training in other special learning media.  Provides disability-specific technology instruction and training.  Transcribes, proofreads, and produces literary Braille and Nemeth code.  Maintains records and files.  Manages and directs the activities of instructional assistants or peer tutors who work with students.  Belongs to and participates in the activities of professional organizations in the field of visual impairment. Performs other duties as assigned by the Central Coordinator of Special Education. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree with MSDE certification in vision.  Comprehensive knowledge of special education principles, practices, and procedures, as they relate to visual impairment and the multiple devices and technology available to the blind and visually impaired.  Knowledge of Braille, Braille teaching methods (literacy code and Nemeth code)  The ability to establish positive working relationships with students, parents, and staff.  Capable of performing the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations