ESE Teacher Consultant for Students with Visual Impaiments

About the role

The Teacher Consultant for Students with a Visual Impairment (VI) provides instructional services to students with a visual impairment and those with a visual impairment in combination with other disabilities ages birth to 26. The VI Teacher Consultant provides information for Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team (MET) meetings, Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP), Individualized Education Programs (IEP), and related services.

Responsibilities

• Provides appropriate, individualized instruction to qualifying students with visual impairments from ages birth to 26.
• Demonstrates ability to implement technical skills for students with visual impairments including reading and teaching braille; utilization and ability to teach abacus (multiple methods depending on student need); teaching students to use appropriate low vision aids and tools to maximize their functional vision; and ability to teach signature and slate and stylus.
• Participates in the development, implementation, and evaluation of individualized education programs.
• Conducts functional vision assessments and learning media assessments to determine a student's visual functioning and learning media needs.
• Shares responsibility with classroom teachers in the identification of instructional areas in which the student requires assistance.
• Consults with classroom teachers, technology specialists, administrators, and other school staff to assist students based on assessed needs.
• Provides consultation and assistance to classroom teachers as to physical and instructional modifications needed for each student with visual impairments.
• Establishes and maintains open, cooperative, and mutually supportive relationships with instructional staff, students, parents, district representatives and other agencies within the community.
• Interprets medical reports and helps students and their families to understand the student’s vision loss.
• Ensures supplementary materials, educational aids, and equipment needed by the student with visual impairments and the classroom teacher are provided in a timely manner to ensure the student’s maximum participation in all classroom activities.
• Schedules time efficiently for assessments, instruction, planning, preparation of materials, travel, and conferences with relevant schools and other key individuals.
• Maintains and improves professional competence by staying up to date with current research and practices by attending pertinent conferences, when available.
• Transports materials and equipment to and from site locations.
• Maintains timely documentation.
• Models and supports the mission, goals, and objectives of DPSCD.
• Develops, builds, and maintains professional relationships with families.

Requirements

• Possess a master’s degree or provide evidence of a bachelor’s degree with a current plan of work from an institution accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools or an equivalent agency
• Possess and provide evidence of a valid Michigan Teaching Certificate with a Visual Impairment (SK) endorsement
• Minimum of three (3) years satisfactory teaching experience; not less than two (2) years of teaching students with a visual impairment
• Working knowledge of current braille codes and knowledge of how to teach the reading and writing of braille, knowledge of abacus (and ability to teach multiple methods), knowledge of electronic devices including: braille and other specialized note takers, familiarity with low vision tools, comfort and skill in teaching functional daily living experiences, using knowledge of the Expanded Core Curriculum
• Demonstrates excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Maintains strict confidentiality as outlined by FERPA AND HIPAA
• Ability to work alone and in collaborative groups to provide services

Qualifications

• Knowledge of current braille codes and knowledge of how to teach the reading and writing of braille, knowledge of abacus (and ability to teach multiple methods depending on student need)
• Familiarity with low vision tools
• Comfort and skill in teaching functional daily living experiences
• Using knowledge of the Expanded Core Curriculum

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work alone and in collaborative groups to provide services

Benefits

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Pay

$55,00 - $94,000

Schedule

Not applicable