Job Title: Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (an Instructional Service)

Status: Exempt

Reports to: Director of Special Education

Teacher Pay Scale

SUMMARY: The teacher of students with visual impairments travels to the students' assigned schools to provide direct and/or consultative special education services relating to vision loss. Services for infants (through ECI) may be provided in the infants' homes or childcare settings. The students range in age from birth through 21and may have only a visual impairment or additional disabilities. The cognitive levels of the students range from severely impaired to gifted and talented.

QUALIFICATIONS:

- Bachelor's Degree
- Texas TVI Supplemental Certificate
- Special Education Certification

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Mental Demands:
- Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written); interpret policy, procedures and data; use computers; maintain emotional control under stress.

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:
- Frequent district wide and community travel; ability to lift and carry (equipment and person) 45 pounds or more.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

School Climate:

1. Actively support efforts to achieve district, department and program goals and objectives.

School Improvement:

2. Provide leadership in establishing new programs and developing improved understanding of existing programs.

Instructional Management:

3. Perform functional vision evaluations and learning media assessments on new referrals and three-year re-evaluations.

4. Interpret eye medical reports as they relate to educational environments.

5. Contribute to the development of the IEP/IFSP with goals, modifications, and strategies.

6. Provide an appropriate level of consultative support to the educational teams of visually impaired students to insure effective program implementation (including monitoring student progress, modeling and role release of techniques and team collaboration).

7. Recommend appropriate specialized evaluations as needed, such as low vision, orientation and mobility, vocational, and adaptive physical education.

8. Participate in team assessments for students with moderate to severe cognitive disabilities.

9. Assist in determining need for and procuring equipment and materials necessary for students with visual impairments to fully participate in their educational programs.

10. Provide direct instruction in all areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum where appropriate, including Braille reading and writing; use of low vision devices; typing/keyboarding; use of adaptive devices; visual efficiency; self advocacy; social, recreation/leisure and daily living skills.

Personal Management:

11. Assist with planning and implementing staff development programs and in-service activities for special education personnel.

12. Provide necessary resources to implement effective programs for visually impaired students.

Student Management:

13. Provide assistance to students with visual impairments in understanding their own attitudes and those of others concerning their visual impairment.

14. Facilitate social integration and interaction with peers.

15. Provide training and support to parents of students with visual impairments to enhance their children's independence

16. Participate in transition planning.

Administrative/Record Keeping Duties:

17. Implement the policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule and local board policy in the area of visual impairment.

18. Maintain and update student information and records as required by state, federal and local board policy in the area of visual impairment (annual V.I. registration, deafblind census, RSPI, etc.).

School/Community Relations:

19. Serve as a liaison between the district and community resources in providing support for visually impaired students.

20. Observe professional and ethical standards in accordance with generally accepted community standards and the Texas Education Agency Code of Ethics.

Professional Growth and Development:

21. Seek, accept and respond to evaluative feedback from colleagues and utilize such information to improve performance.

22. Maintain a reference library.

23. 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.

Other:

24. Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Director of Special Education

This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.

The Harlandale Independent School District does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, military status, genetic information or on any other basis prohibited by law.
An Equal Opportunity Employer