Teacher of the Visually Impaired

Who WeAre

Located just 75 miles from Washington D.C. in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia Berkeley County is the fastest growing county in the state of West Virginia. Our close proximity to D.C. Baltimore Pittsburgh and Philadelphia makes Berkeley County an exciting place to live & learn.

Berkeley County Schools boasts a diverse population recognized statewide for great success in academics the arts and athletics. With 4 high schools 6 middle 6 intermediate school 16 elementary schools and a universal PreK program our 32 schools serve a student population of more than 19250 strong and growing. Our more than 2000 employees including teachers principals office assistants paraprofessionals custodians nutrition services staff technology staff and administrators are committed to limitless learning opportunities and childcentered excellence!

We are looking for individuals passionate in their commitment to maximizing individual student performance. Make the choice to join our team and become a part of a collaborative responsive culture committed to multiple pathways to grow and shape your career.

*Job TitleTeacher of the Visually Impaired
*Job Type Certified Grade Level K12

Job Type Description
A vacancy exists for one Teacher of the Visually Impaired (preferably dual certified in Orientation and Mobility) to provide itinerant related services to students based on critical skill areas on students IEPs. Qualifications include West Virginia certification in Visual Impairments (PreKAdult) and preferred additional certification in Orientation and Mobility from an accredited college/university.

Salary Schedule:
Berkeley County Schools Teacher Pay Scale based upon degree level and verified years of experience along with therapeutic and diagnostic index.

Qualifications/Requirements:

The Teacher of the Visually Impaired has the following roles and responsibilities:

1. Has primary responsibility for specialized instruction and services to meet the unique educational needs of their students who are blind or have low vision.
2. Possesses the skills and abilities necessary to provide and coordinate this specialized instruction.
3. Assists the student parents special and general education personnel and the students sighted peers in:understanding the unique educational needs and learning characteristics of students who are visually impairedbecoming aware of services and support available from local programs for students who are visually impairedacquiring information regarding local state and national resources for the education of students who are visually impaired andinterpreting the students specific eye condition the educational implications of the visual impairment and the results of functional vision and learning media assessments.
4. Consults regularly with the classroom teacher other general and special education personnel family members and others to coordinate programs and services for the student who is visually impaired.
5. Assists the school administrator and teachers in making environmental adjustments for their students in the school.
6. Shares responsibility with classroom teachers in the identification of instructional areas in which the student requires assistance.
7. Assures that large print or braille texts supplementary materials educational aids and equipment needed by the student who is visually impaired and the classroom teacher are provided in a timely manner to ensure the students maximum participation in all classroom activities.
8. Provides instruction in the development and maintenance of expanded core curriculum (ECC) skills to meet the students unique educational needs in the following areas as indicated in the IEP.
9. Prepares sequential and meaningful instruction geared to the students assessed needs IEP goals and objectives functioning and motivational levels.
10. Collects data and keeps progress notes on each student.
11. Provides assistance to the classroom teacher in academic subjects and activities of the classroom that as a direct result of the students visual impairment require adaptation for the student.
12. Provides initial and ongoing assessment/evaluation.
13. Consults with the IEP team to determine appropriate testing materials and modifications needed.
14. Assists with and interprets assessments when needed.
15. Conducts functional vision evaluations/learning media assessments and produces written reports with the results.
16. Attends IEP meetings for students with visual impairments.
17. Schedules time efficiently for assessment planning instruction preparation of materials travel and professional development with relevant school and other key individuals.
18. Maintains ongoing contact with family members to assist them in the development of a realistic understanding of their childs abilities progress and future goals.
19. Provides inservice training programs for school personnel and students and education for family members regarding the needs of students who are visually impaired and adaptations programs and services for these students.
20. Coordinates with other personnel such as transcribers readers counselors O&M specialists career/vocational education staff rehabilitation counselors and early childhood interventionists.
21. Acquires information and training about current research developments and technology.

Orientation and Mobility Specialist

1. The Orientation and Mobility Specialist has the following roles and responsibilities:
2. Instructs the student who is visually impaired in the development of skills and knowledge that enables them to move purposely and to travel independently based on assessed needs and ability.
3. Teaches the student who is visually impaired to travel with proficiency safety and confidence in familiar and unfamiliar environments.
4. Consults regularly with sighted peers family members classroom teachers physical education teachers and/or other special education personnel to assist in home and classroom environmental modifications adaptations and considerations and to ensure reinforcement of appropriate O&M skills that will encourage the student to travel independently in these settings.
5. Works with theTVI to conduct the functional vision evaluation as it relates to independent travel.
6. Conducts assessments that focus on both long and shortterm needs of the student.
7. Includes in the assessment report the needs and strengths of the student and an estimate of the length and frequency of service necessary to meet identified needs.
8. Prepares sequential and meaningful instruction geared to the students assessed needs IEP goals and objectives functioning and motivational levels.
9. Prepares and uses equipment and materials for example tactile maps models distance optical devices adaptive mobility devices and long canes for the development of O&M skills.
10. Transports the student (with school transportation and driver) with parent permission to various community locations as necessary to provide meaningful instruction in realistic learning environments.
11. Is responsible for the students safety at all times and in all teaching environments while fostering maximum independence.
12. Evaluates the students progress on an ongoing basis with progress reports each 9 weeks as .
13. Collects data and keeps progress notes on each student.
14. Participates in parent conferences and meetings.
15. Provides inservice training as requested to general and special education personnel sighted peers and family members concerning the O&M needs of the student and appropriate methods and procedures for interacting with the person who is blind or has low vision that will foster maximum independence and safety.
16. Provide O&M instruction where appropriate in these areas:body imagerylateralityenvironmental conceptsgross and fine motor skills related to independent travelsensory awareness stimulation and trainingspatial conceptscompass direction conceptsguide technique proceduresbasic protective alignment and informationgathering techniquesorientation skillsmap skillsmobility device skills (e.g. wearable canes adaptive mobility devices long cane skills)use of vision in the environmentoptical devices related to travel skillsurban suburban and rural traveltravel in business districtsprocedures for crossing streets including how to handle traffic control signalsuse of public transportation systemsprocedures for use of the phone for information gathering and for emergenciesuse of electronic orientation aids and systems (e.g. GPS)procedures for interacting with the publicknowledge and application of community address systemsprocedures for travel and independent functioning in places of public accommodationindependent living and recreation/leisure skillssensory/motor skills in coordination with the physical or occupational therapist and TVI.

Qualification Requirements:

Must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and demonstrate the knowledge and ability to be a qualified and effective candidate for the vacancy.

Possess certification by the West Virginia Department of Education in Visual Impairments (PreKAdult) with additionally preferred certification in Orientation and Mobility from an accredited college/university (dual certification is preferred).

Additional Job Information:

If no certified applicant can be hired individuals will be considered on an outof field authorization or permit.