POSITION: Vision Teacher

ORGANIZATION / LOCATION: Special Education Support Programs and Services Office/Vision Program Services

REPORTS TO: Vision Instructional Specialist and Supervisor for Support Programs and Services

REVISION / REVIEW DATE: March 7, 2014

JOB CODE:89

UNION: PGCEA

CLASSIFICATION:

GRADE: 2-7

POSITION SUMMARY:  The Teacher of the Visually Impaired travels to the students’ home, community environment or assigned schools to provide direct and/or indirect special education services relating to vision loss.  These services are provided for students ranging in age from birth to 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.   

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Assess and evaluate students who have eye medical documentation indicating a possible visual impairment;

Interpret eye medical reports as they relate to educational environments to the IFSP/IEP teams;

Consult with medical professional, classroom teachers, staff, students and parents concerning appropriate evaluations, modifications, test administration and instructional strategies;

Work as a liaison with other agencies in the vocational assessment;

Participate in team assessments;

Assist in determining and procuring classroom equipment and materials necessary for the students with visual impairments to access the curriculum and to learn.  Provide these modified materials to the student;

Provide the classroom teacher, school staff, and parent with information regarding the specialized instructional strategies needed for a student with visual impairments;

Monitor the student’s progress in academic subjects and provide instruction in compensatory skills as needed as a direct result of the student’s visual impairment;

Provide direct instruction in the unique curriculum for students with visual impairment such as Braille, cane travel, low vision aids, visual efficiency, listening skills, adaptive devices (i.e. Braille note takers), concept development, social skills, career readiness, self-advocacy, and recreational skills;

Work collaboratively with school teams and provide support services to them and the families; and

QUALIFICATIONS

Demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively with school teams and parents;

Ability to act as an Itinerant Teacher of the Visually Impaired;

Must have access to transportation to deliver Vision services to a variety of different locations;

Demonstrate knowledge of the vision field including eye medical implications, instructional strategies and compensatory skills (especially Braille), current technological and instructional advances;

Demonstrate effective oral communication and written skills;

Demonstrate an ability to work effectively with diverse student populations;

Demonstrate the ability to provide differentiated instructional techniques that inspire, motivate, and meet the individual educational needs of each student; and

Demonstrate an interest in professional growth and development.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:   Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) in an applicable field of education with a minor/major in Visual Impairment from an accredited college or university program. Experience in teaching students with visual impairment from birth to 21.   

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:   Hold or is eligible for a Maryland Professional Certificate appropriate for assignment. Eligibility for Maryland State Department of Education teaching certification, and Teacher of the Visually Impaired.   

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: No direct supervisory responsibilities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and use fingers, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Normal

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: None.

Prince George’s County Public Schools • www.pgcps.org • 14201 School Lane, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772