Teacher of the Visually Impaired

Job Summary

Teaches students using curriculum, and instructional methods and techniques which enhance the student’s ability to improve independent functioning. Assesses visually impaired students to determine eligibility for service. Serves as a member of a multi-disciplinary team for planning a comprehensive educational program for students, which includes  remedial and affective education, and related instructional strategies.

Essential Functions

• Plans classroom lessons and activities in accordance with skill level of students; uses techniques and materials to enhance the students’ academic abilities
• Participates in the multidisciplinary team (MDT) process; conducts formal and informal assessments; makes recommendations for teachers and students for accommodations.    
• Knowledge of Braille, Low Vision Aids and adaptive technology skills
• Facilitate inquiry-based learning within small group and/or individual instruction, driven by student needs 
• Travel within the school district to provide itinerant services to students  
• Identifies students’ needs and strengths; determines the amount and frequency of service necessary to meet students’ determined needs.
• Provides instruction in vision techniques and in the use of vision-related  materials and devices including visual efficiency skills, utilization of residual vision, concept and sensory development, spatial orientation, familiarization to environments, and utilization of tactile, visual and auditory maps.
• Provides instruction in travel skills in both indoor and outdoor environments, including utilization of mass transit systems.
• In consultation with multi-disciplinary team members, develops an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that sets individualized goals and objectives for each student; assists in the development and implementation of the Individual Education Plans (IEP) as it relates to orientation and vision services; collaborates with teachers and other school personnel to develop and implement strategies for students receiving vision services.
• Provides consultation and support to parents, teachers and other school staff; consults with teachers and other school staff to integrate vision goals into classroom activities.
• Confers regularly with parents, teachers, and other school staff to assist in modifications to ensure reinforcement of appropriate orientation and mobility skills; encourage visually impaired students to travel independently; counsel families to assist in the process of helping students utilize their remaining senses to determine their position in the environment and negotiate safe movement from one place to another.
• Evaluates students’ progress on an ongoing basis and keep progress notes on each student receiving vision services; collects relevant data related to student achievement and maintains data to document and evaluate progress within the Easy IEP System
• Stays up-to-date with new developments and techniques in vision impairment 
• Performs related work as required.

Job Summary

Teaches students using curriculum, and instructional methods and techniques which enhance the student’s ability to improve independent functioning. Assesses visually impaired students to determine eligibility for service. Serves as a member of a multi-disciplinary team for planning a comprehensive educational program for students, which includes  remedial and affective education, and related instructional strategies.

Essential Functions

• Plans classroom lessons and activities in accordance with skill level of students; uses techniques and materials to enhance the students’ academic abilities
• Participates in the multidisciplinary team (MDT) process; conducts formal and informal assessments; makes recommendations for teachers and students for accommodations.    
• Knowledge of Braille, Low Vision Aids and adaptive technology skills
• Facilitate inquiry-based learning within small group and/or individual instruction, driven by student needs 
• Travel within the school district to provide itinerant services to students  
• Identifies students’ needs and strengths; determines the amount and frequency of service necessary to meet students’ determined needs.
• Provides instruction in vision techniques and in the use of vision-related  materials and devices including visual efficiency skills, utilization of residual vision, concept and sensory development, spatial orientation, familiarization to environments, and utilization of tactile, visual and auditory maps.
• Provides instruction in travel skills in both indoor and outdoor environments, including utilization of mass transit systems.
• In consultation with multi-disciplinary team members, develops an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that sets individualized goals and objectives for each student; assists in the development and implementation of the Individual Education Plans (IEP) as it relates to orientation and vision services; collaborates with teachers and other school personnel to develop and implement strategies for students receiving vision services.
• Provides consultation and support to parents, teachers and other school staff; consults with teachers and other school staff to integrate vision goals into classroom activities.
• Confers regularly with parents, teachers, and other school staff to assist in modifications to ensure reinforcement of appropriate orientation and mobility skills; encourage visually impaired students to travel independently; counsel families to assist in the process of helping students utilize their remaining senses to determine their position in the environment and negotiate safe movement from one place to another.
• Evaluates students’ progress on an ongoing basis and keep progress notes on each student receiving vision services; collects relevant data related to student achievement and maintains data to document and evaluate progress within the Easy IEP System
• Stays up-to-date with new developments and techniques in vision impairment 
• Performs related work as required.

Minimum Requirements

NOTE\: Teachers of the visually impaired have to complete a second step in order to confirm eligibility.  First step is completion of this application to ensure minimum requirements are met, and the second step is an interview with the District’s Office of Specialized Services.  Should you meet minimum requirements, a Recruiter will contact you regarding the second step of the eligibility process.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Preferred two (2) years of full-time, paid, professional experience which has included working with students with blindness/visual impairment and multiple disabilities, and writing IEP goals.
• Preferred experience working in a public school setting with urban youth 

Certificates/Licenses

• Possession of a valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania certificate to teach the Visually Impaired

OR

• Meet requirements to obtain an emergency permit and ability to consistently meet emergency permit requirements until instructional certification can be issued.

PLEASE NOTE\: Salary is commensurate with experience in education and educational attainment.  Both prior experience and educational degree must go through the District's verification process in order for final salary to be confirmed.  Please click this link to read through the process and download the verification forms for your previous employer(s) to complete.

Disclaimer\: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification.  They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Nondiscrimination\: The School District of Philadelphia provides to all persons equal access to all categories of employment in this District, regardless of race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin or handicap/disability, gender identity, or genetic information. Please refer to Board Policy 104 for further information regarding the District's commitment to Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices.

Minimum Requirements

NOTE\: Teachers of the visually impaired have to complete a second step in order to confirm eligibility.  First step is completion of this application to ensure minimum requirements are met, and the second step is an interview with the District’s Office of Specialized Services.  Should you meet minimum requirements, a Recruiter will contact you regarding the second step of the eligibility process.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Preferred two (2) years of full-time, paid, professional experience which has included working with students with blindness/visual impairment and multiple disabilities, and writing IEP goals.
• Preferred experience working in a public school setting with urban youth 

Certificates/Licenses

• Possession of a valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania certificate to teach the Visually Impaired

OR

• Meet requirements to obtain an emergency permit and ability to consistently meet emergency permit requirements until instructional certification can be issued.

PLEASE NOTE\: Salary is commensurate with experience in education and educational attainment.  Both prior experience and educational degree must go through the District's verification process in order for final salary to be confirmed.  Please click this link to read through the process and download the verification forms for your previous employer(s) to complete.

Disclaimer\: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification.  They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Nondiscrimination\: The School District of Philadelphia provides to all persons equal access to all categories of employment in this District, regardless of race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin or handicap/disability, gender identity, or genetic information. Please refer to Board Policy 104 for further information regarding the District's commitment to Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices.