MEMO TO:            Longview School District Employees and Qualified Applicants
FROM:                    John O. Vencill, Executive Director – Personnel Services

SUBJECT:             JOB OPENING - TEACHER OF VISUALLY IMPAIRED (will consider teacher intern) For 2009-2010 School Year
REPORTS TO:            Director of Special Education
POSITION GOAL:      To ensure a free, appropriate public education for the District's visually impaired students.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:
The itinerant teacher for students with visual impairments travels to students’ assigned schools to provide special education services as determined by the multi-disciplinary team (MDT).  These services enable the students to benefit from instruction in their classroom setting.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Valid Washington State teaching certificate. Certification in Special Education.
2. Bachelor or master’s degree with an emphasis in visual impairment and blindness, including course work in the Expanded Core Curriculum.
3. Knowledge of developmental and/or physical disabilities and visual impairments.
4. Knowledge of effective instructional methods for visually impaired students.
5. Knowledge of common eye conditions and their functional implications in the educational setting.
6. Ability to obtain, clarify and exchange information.
7. Ability to use adaptive technology aids/equipment.
8. Ability to organize and coordinate programs for visually impaired students.
9. Ability to demonstrate initiative and work independently.
10. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people.
11. Teaching experience with beginning Braille students.
12. Meet state Braille competency requirements.
13. May be required to obtain first aid certificate and training in CPR.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Administer and summarize results of a functional vision assessment and a learning media assessment.
2. Actively participate in the MDT process, contribute to appropriate portions of the district assessment process and the individual education plan.
3. Provide direct instructional services with VI students as outlined on the IEP.  Services may include instruction in the following areas:  keyboarding, Braille reading/writing, math, abacus, low vision devices and strategies, technology, tactual skills, efficient utilization of vision, adaptive communication skills, concept development, daily living skills (including all aspects of Expanded Core Curriculum), career/vocational skills, social skills and study skills.
4. May be assigned as a part-time classroom teacher in which visually impaired students with EIPs participate.
5. Order adapted material and supply classroom teachers with equipment and supplies specific to students’ needs and maintain curriculum inventory.
6. Adapt classroom materials and implement programming to meet the needs of students within the program.  May include but not limited to: enlarging materials, preparing tactile materials, adaptive technology needs.
7. Provide in-service training for school personnel, parents and students regarding the needs of students with visual impairments.
8. Provide regular on-going consultation services to the following: 
   • classroom teachers to interpret adaptations and instructional methodology needed
   • school staff, e.g. OT, PT, SLP, playground supervisor
   • parents
   • community programs
   • vision care specialists
   • potential job site personnel
   • other support staff, e.g. personal attendants
9. Assist with registration of students with the following services:  WIRCVI, Talking Book and Braille Library, Recording for the Blind and transition services with Department of Services for the Blind (DSB).
10. Maintain appropriate records and documentation.
11. Screen referrals after neighborhood school or school district provides needed documentation.
12. Supervise VI program para-educators.
13. Attend professional meetings and conferences in order to remain current in new developments of the education of infants, children and youth with visual impairments.
14. Work in partnership with the orientation and mobility specialist assigned to the student, as well as, other members of the educational team.
15. Provide assistance to all transition teams.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

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