VisionSpecialistPositionDescription
POSITIONOVERVIEW
Central Kitsap School District is seeking equity-focused educators who create hope and resiliency for our students and lead the way in eliminating opportunity gaps. As an educator in CK, you will have the responsibility to make a profound and lasting, positive impact on the lives of our students.
ESSENTIALFUNCTIONS
The Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) is a certified teacher who travels to students' assigned schools to provide direct and/or consultative services relating to vision loss. Thorough knowledge of visual impairments & blindness, its implications for early development growth & learning; thorough knowledge of the Braille code & strategies for teaching Braille is required, along with strong skills in assistive technology and teaching the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC). Experience in assessing students' functional vision as well as knowledge of cortical visual impairment; effective interpersonal and communication skills to provide on-going support and consultation to school staff. Orientation and Mobility certification desirable but not required. A state Braille competency test is required.
Fosters an educational environment conducive to the learning and maturation process of assigned special education students; plans an instructional program designed to meet individual student needs; prepares individual student lesson plans; adapts and modifies programs and plans as necessary.
Uses necessary and appropriate instructional methods and materials, which are suited to the well-being of the students and to the nature of the learning activities, program and/or curriculum involved; implements established program or curriculum objectives as adapted and modified for the student population; attends in-service training and continues to improve professional growth through study and experimentation to remain current in methods and techniques for special education instruction.
Establishes and implements, in a positive and supportive manner, classroom policies and procedures governing student behavior and conduct; provides guidance, counseling, and discipline to encourage students to meet standards of achievement and conduct; makes referrals for assistance where appropriate.
Confers with students, parents or guardians, specialists and other staff: maintaining an open, positive relationship, as appropriate, to provide guidance and evaluation, and to encourage student achievement.
Establishes classroom goals and objectives appropriate to the special education student population and their individual education programs (IEP), following the rules and regulations governing special education, and in conformance with courses of study specified by State and School District statutes, regulations and guidelines; evaluates and records student progress; prepares reports for parents or guardians.
Directs the activities of assigned non-certificated personnel; attends to or directs staff to attend to the physical, emotional, behavioral, medical, or hygienic needs of students as appropriate; monitors conditions and behaviors.
Collects and interprets a variety of data; develops, implements and evaluates IEPs; provides reports for administrative purposes; amends documents where appropriate.
Attends or participates in all required staff meetings and other activities deemed necessary by the district and/or building principal, in order to accomplish the objectives of the position and for professional achievement.
OTHERFUNCTIONS
- RegistersstudentswithvisualimpairmentswithappropriateagenciessuchasRecordingsforthe Blind and Dyslexic, and the American Printing house for the Blind.
- Servesonstaffcommitteesas required.
- Participatesinavarietyofactivitiestoenhancepersonalandprofessionalskills.
- Performsrelatedtasksconsistentwiththescopeandresponsibilityoftheposition.
REQUIREDKNOWLEDGE,SKILLS,ANDABILITIES
Knowledgeof: Subject areas appropriate to assignment; effective behavior management techniques; effective instructional techniques; rules and procedures for student safety.
Skillin:Useoflowvisiondevices, abacus,technologysuchasBraileNotetakers,JAWS,Magic,Duxbury. Proficiency in reading, writing, and oral communications; effective communication with parents or guardians in a diverse community; designing and implementing lesson plans for students having a wide range of achievement.
Ability to: Support students in a positive and confident manner; be fair and consistent when working with a culturally, racially, and economically diverse student population; adapt to change and remain flexible; organize activities; manage student behavior; use good judgment to maintain a safe learning environment; provide instruction and demonstrate techniques; use necessary equipment, computers, machinery, tools, or software; direct the work of paraeducators; establish and maintain effective, positive working relationships with students, parents or guardians, staff and administrators; in some positions, administer first aid and CPR.
WORKINGCONDITIONS
Required to support a wide range of student achievement and behavior; required to remain flexible to meet students’ immediate needs; required to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritize; may experience frequent interruptions; may occasionally work with distraught or difficult students; potentially exposed to ordinary infectious diseases carried by students; in some positions the necessary and appropriate instructional methods may require specific positions and movements, and sufficient stamina and exertions, to demonstrate techniques properly for student safety, or to conduct
or direct students; in some positions precautions may need to be taken to prevent or lessen exposure of self and/or students to various materials, fumes, equipment, cutting edges or hot surfaces.
CONDITIONS&DISCLAIMER
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by those assigned to this position and are not construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills. Employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities, as needed.
TYPICALQUALIFICATIONS
EducationandExperience: Bachelor's degree; academic preparation for or experience in teaching a culturally, racially, and economically diverse student population. Specific programs may require additional academic preparation or professional experience, including working with bilingual students and assisting them in the transition to regular classrooms; implementing programs designed to prevent the dropout of at-risk students; and teaching multi-level, open-concept, and mainstream classes.
Certificates&Licenses: Valid Washington state teaching certificate with appropriate endorsement for assignment; some positions may require valid first aid and CPR certification; some positions may require a valid Washington state driver's license and/or a Class II driver's license.
Clearances: Criminal justice fingerprint and background check.