TEACHER – SPECIAL EDUCATION

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s Degree with specialization in orientation and mobility, teaching the blind and visually impaired, rehabilitation teaching, special education, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or closely related area

1. Certified by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP), or hold a current National Orientation and Mobility Certification (NOMC)
2. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.

REPORTS TO:             Director of Special Services

Job Goal: To provide specialized instruction and coordination of special education services for individual students with disabilities and to prepare students with visual impairments to travel independently and safely. The itinerant O&M specialist travels to the students’ assigned schools and/or home to provide direct and/or consultative services relating to the visual impairment. These services enable the students to travel safely, efficiently, and independently in their home, school, and community environments. The students range in age from three through 21 years. The students may or may not have additional disabilities. The cognitive levels of the students range from severely impaired to gifted and talented. Many students with visual impairments are totally mainstreamed in their neighborhood schools. Others are in special programs in their neighborhood schools or at various campuses throughout the district. Community-based instruction is assumed and a critic.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

1. Instruct students with visual impairments in skills and knowledge that enable them to travel independently based on the IEP
2. Teach students to travel with proficiency, safety, and confidence in familiar and unfamiliar environments
3. Prepare sequential and meaningful instruction geared to the student’s assessed needs, IEP goals and objectives, functioning level, and motivation level
4. Be responsible for the student’s safety during O&M instruction and in other environments while fostering maximum independence during O&M lessons
5. Prepare and use equipment and materials, such as tactile maps, models, distance low-vision aids, pre- canes, and long canes for the development of O&M skills
6. Provide orientation of new buildings and new class schedules to students with visual impairments as needed, including those community settings where students receive instruction
7. Provide instruction in the Expanded Core Curriculum

1. Provide assistance to the students with visual impairments in understanding their attitudes and those of others concerning their visual impairments
2. Emphasize social integration with peers and facilitate opportunities for interaction
3. Be knowledgeable of community-based resources that may be available to and useful for students with visual impairments
4. Provide in-service training to general and special education personnel, administrative personnel, sighted peers, and parents concerning the O&M needs of the student and appropriate methods for interacting with the VI person that will foster maximum independence and safety
5. Maintain adequate records on all assessment, IEPs, and progress reports
6. Provide progress reports to parents

14. Communicates with regular education teachers and principals regarding the educational needs and

programs of students with disabilities.

15. Collaborates with the school team in implementing effective specialized teaching strategies for

students with disabilities.

16. Maintains records regarding individual student progress toward IEP goals and objectives, services

and accommodations provided, parent contacts, notices and other documentation as required by

the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) regulations, the Director of Pupil

Services or the school principal.

17. Participates in student eligibility evaluations and re-evaluations.
18. Participates in the development of an annual budget request for instructional materials needed to

implement and support IEPs for students with disabilities.

19. Initiates communication with parents of students with disabilities on a regular basis.
20. Uses technology effectively to implement instruction and to manage documentation requirements.
21. Demonstrates effective human relations and communication skills.
22. Complies with good safety practices.
23. Complies with all district rules, regulations, and policies.
24. Other duties/responsibilities deemed necessary may be assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:                                    The individual who holds this position is regularly required to walk, hear and speak and must have close moderate and distance vision ability. This individual must be able to travel between district facilities. The position requires a moderate amount of travel and physical activity.

CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENT:              The work environment is consistent with typical office/school environment.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:                             Salary and work calendar to be established by the Board Of Education.  Benefits according to Board policies.

FLSA:                                                               Exempt

RETIREMENT:                                                  Public School Retirement System (PSRS)

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES:                       Valid Missouri Teaching Certificate

CLEARANCES:                                                 Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance

EVALUATION:                                                 Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on evaluations utilizing the Performance Based Teacher Evaluation process.