Teacher Classroom Teacher of the Visually Impaired
Job Description
Position: Classroom Teacher of the Visually Impaired – High School Level
Supervisor: Principal/Assistant Principal
The New York Institute for Special Education opened its doors on March 15, 1832 to provide education and support to visually impaired children within New York State. The institute provides onsite education for both pre-k – through high school students and sits on 17 acres of beautifully maintain grounds in the Bronx, NY. The NYISE staff is dedicated to providing our students with the best, possible education in a caring, supportive environment.
The Teacher of the Visually Impaired will make an impact in many areas, with responsibilities and duties including, but not limited to:
● Collaborates with other disciplines to ensure team understanding of student educational strengths and needs, through evaluation, educational program planning and service delivery;
● Evaluates the student’s ability and formulates the student’s developmental and educational profile through a variety of functional, behavioral and standardized assessments, skilled observation and checklists;
● Develop and write appropriate Individual Educational Plans (IEP) for each student assigned to the Classroom Teacher based on student needs and evaluation results.
Complete educational updates as needed;
● Actively contribute to team planning and staffing meetings by sharing information with other staff members – using their input to formulate comprehensive and integrated plans for students. All staff members are knowledgeable and have specific skills relevant to the needs of students that they work with;
● Provide direction to assigned teacher assistants, 1:1 aides, and substitute teachers in your classroom on a daily basis to ensure that there is follow through with the goals and objectives of the educational program, routines and practice of the class;
● Ensure parents are informed of each student’s progress and provide assistance to families to help with carryover of skills. Maintains a mature professional attitude in the interactions with students, families and other staff members;
● Follow all procedures and routines of the assigned program and the whole of the
Institute. To conform to procedures and routines of the Institute, to ensure consistency and continuity of each child’s program;
● Order and maintain special equipment and supplies as needed. If necessary, design and construct adapted equipment for students including but not limited to Tactile Graphics materials;
● Complete assigned paperwork as per the due dates stated by the program administrator (ex. Teacher Reports, IEP’s, progress reports/notes, attendance books, etc.);
● Maintain lesson plans of daily instruction and submit to your Administrator at the beginning of each week. The lesson plan must contain the necessary components established by your Administrator;
● Participate in school and community based professional development activities;
● Applies ethics and standards of professional practice in the delivery of services and observes relevant laws and policies that govern practice;
● Exhibits a mature professional attitude in interactions as evidenced by effective relationships with student’s families and other staff members;
● Other duties assigned by supervisor as necessary.
Education, Knowledge and Skills:
● Have successfully completed and graduated from an accredited Program for Teachers of the Blind and Visually Impaired that is recognized by the State of New York and have completed all requirements for Certification as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired.
● Current New York State Certification in Special Education;
● A proficient level of knowledge and the ability to instruct in the following areas:
- ➔ Assistive Technology
- ➔ Implications of Eye Diseases and Conditions upon learning
- ➔ Expanded Core Curriculum
- ➔ Tactile Graphic Production
- ➔ Functional Vision Assessment/Learning Medium Assessment
- ➔ Developmental patterns in visually impaired
- ➔ Orientation and Mobility Techniques
- ➔ Curriculum Adaptation
