Teacher - SPED Visually Impaired at Abilene ISD in Abilene, TX

Job description

Primary Purpose: The itinerant teacher for students with visual impairments travels to the students' assigned schools/homes to provide direct and/or consultative special education services relating to vision loss. These services enable the students to learn in a variety of settings. Services for infants may be provided in the infants' homes or childcare settings. The students range in age from birth through 21 and may have only a visual impairment or additional disabilities. The cognitive levels of the students range from severely impaired to gifted and talented. Qualifications: Education/Certification: Bachelor's degree from accredited university Valid Texas teaching certificate with required endorsements or required training for subject and level assigned Demonstrated competency in the core academic subject area assigned Texas certification for teachers of students with visual impairments. Special Knowledge/Skills: Knowledge of core academic subject assigned General knowledge of curriculum and instruction Ability to instruct students and manage behavior Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills Major Responsibilities and Duties: Assessment and Evaluation Perform functional vision and learning media assessments on new referrals and three-year re-evaluations using identified standardized assessment protocol Interpret eye medical reports as they relate to educational environments Contribute to the development of the IEP/IFSP with goals, modifications, learning styles. Recommend appropriate specialized evaluations as needed, such as low vision, orientation and mobility, psycho-social, and adaptive physical education Consult with assessment staff, classroom teachers, students, and parents concerning appropriate evaluations, modification, and test administration Obtain modified standardized testing materials and assist in the administration of the test as needed (STAAR, NAPT, ITBS, TAAS, SAT, ACT) and administer or Work as liaison with other agencies in the vocational assessment process Participate in team assessments for students with moderate to severe cognitive disabilities Provide screening and referral procedures to appropriate personnel. Appropriate Learning Environment Assist in determining and procuring classroom equipment and materials necessary for the student with visual impairments to learn (brailler, low vision devices, assistive technology, computer) including ensuring necessary room modifications and lighting changes Provide the classroom teacher with information regarding the specialized strategies needed to teach a VI student Consult with other instructional staff to provide information to incorporate the expanded core curriculum into the entire instructional setting Provide modified materials to the classroom teacher Provide braille, recorded/enlarged materials, and tactual symbols as appropriate for each child. Direct Instruction in the Unique Curriculum Monitoring the students' progress in academic subjects and provide instruction in compensatory skills as needed in the areas the students may have difficulty with as a result of the visual impairment Braille reading and writing Low vision devices Abacus Typing/keyboarding Adaptive devices (e.g., computers, note takers, tape recorders) Listening skills Visual efficiency Concept development (especially for infants and early childhood students) Daily living/self-help skills Career readiness Leisure and recreation skills Social skills Organizational and study skills Self-advocacy. Support Services Provide assistance to students with visual impairments in understanding their attitudes and those of others concerning their visual impairment Facilitate social integration and interaction with peers Provide training and support to parents of students with visual impairments to enhance their children's independence Provide the teachers, staff, and family of students with visual impairment with information regarding their individual needs, methodology,