Vision Itinerant Teacher, 2020-21

Program for Students with Exceptionalities

Other - Position - Valid PA Certificate

Job Number : 4600210999

Start Date :

Open Date : 10/19/2020

Closing Date : 01/19/2021

PROGRAM: The Program for Students with Exceptionalities (PSE) provides supports and services to students with disabilities in the Pittsburgh Public Schools. PSE believes that every student should be educated in the least restrictive environment where a full continuum of supplementary aids and services are available to meet their individual needs in order to achieve their full potential, academically, socially and emotionally and vocationally. This support is provided to students as close as possible to the neighborhood in which students live. PSE seeks individuals who are smart, passionate about supporting and advocating for students with disabilities, and committed and dedicated to the students, families and school communities of the Pittsburgh Public Schools. Top candidates will have demonstrated a record of commitment in making a difference in the lives of students with disabilities in an urban setting. POSITION

SUMMARY: This position is responsible for planning, adapting and/or providing instruction to students who are Blind/Visually Impaired and the staff that work with them, in order to enable them to effectively and efficiently benefit from educational experiences. Positions may be itinerant in nature (traveling from site to site to serve students at a variety of school placements) or site-based (teacher in regional classroom).

Reports To : Exec Dir, PSE & Vision Program Supervisor

Salary :
Salary Schedule for Special Services Providers (starting at $43, 230 per year)

Qualifications :
A Bachelor's degree and PA Teacher certification of the Blind/Visually Impaired as well as Orientation and Mobility are required.

Preferred qualities and attributes include:
- A commitment to accelerating student achievement.

- A desire to eliminate racial disparities

- The ability to create a positive school and district culture

- The willingness to foster and promote innovation

- The ability to be a culturally-responsive educator who knows how to leverage students unique skills, interests, and learning styles to create a learning experience that unequivocally includes and empowers each and every student.

- Demonstrated enthusiasm and energy in making a difference in the lives of students.

- Proven ability to empathize with students and prepare them to achieve academic excellence and strength of character so they have the opportunity to succeed in all aspects of life.

- A Master's degree in Education of the Blind and Visually Impaired or Special Education.

- ACVREP O&M Certification and work experience highly desired.

Residency Requirements : No Residency Requirement

Essential Job Functions :
1. Instructs students in blindness related skills that are found in the Expanded Core Curriculum:
-Compensatory or functional academic skills, including Braille
-Orientation and mobility
-Social interaction skills
-Independent living skills
-Recreation and leisure skills
-Career education
-Use of assistive technology
-Sensory efficiency skills
-Self-determination

2. Adapts curriculum, plans lessons and modifies special education programs and general education curriculum and teaching methods in accordance to the students' abilities and disabilities.

3. Conducts ongoing evaluations and progress monitoring and adapts goals and objectives based on the gathered data.

4. Develops and writes comprehensive evaluation reports, re-evaluation reports, IEPs, and progress reports following required compliance timelines.

5. Monitors student progress in and outside the special education setting, through direct and indirect communication with the staff working with the student.

6. Maintains, modifies and ensures the safety of the physical environment of the educational setting.

7. Maintains contact with families of students, school staff and administration, and shares information regarding student progress, school performance, advocacy and social/emotional issues, etc.

8. Evaluates student progress based on work output and observation, determines goals, objectives and specially designed instruction of the IEP and makes recommendations for the ordering of materials in the student appropriate learning mediums.

9. Prepares report cards, federal and state mandated reports, educational records, classroom observation records, progress monitoring records and other forms as necessary that are legally defensible.

10. Produces documents in the student's learning medium (Braille, enlarged print) for student use.

11. Conducts assistive technology evaluations, recommends the required assistive devices, and works to obtain assistive technology devices for trialing purposes and for purchase. Instructs students in use of such devices.

12. Provides instruction in orientation and mobility, both in school buildings and in the community, utilizing various forms of transportation.

13. Develops schedules to ensure students are provided services as designated in the IEP.

14. Ensures and maintains student confidentiality and protects student data in accordance with HIPAA/FERPA regulations and with district policy.

15. Collaborates and consults with school district personnel and other members of the student's IEP team.

16. Utilizes email, SKYPE, and MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint to facilitate and expedite communication.

Additional Job Information :
HOW TO APPLY: Interested candidates must first create a teaching application with Pittsburgh Public Schools. Candidates must be aware that PPS must abide by an eligibility list requirement that only allows the district to hire candidates within the top 10% of applicants to positions such as these. Therefore, every element of an application counts! Be sure to be thoughtful about each element of your application, which include an updated resume, well though-out essay responses and references of the highest quality. At the conclusion of the formal application candidates will also have the opportunity to complete a Teacher Insight Survey, which will be sent directly from the Gallup organization. Access the District's employment page and begin your application: http://www.pps.k12.pa.us/Page/409 PHYSICAL DEMANDS: This position is primarily sedentary in nature. Employee will be required to operate computer system for data entry, and have the ability to complete necessary paperwork. This position requires minimum physical effort and not subjected to Occupational Health and Safety risks.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Employees of the Pittsburgh Public Schools engage in the extremely important and fulfilling job of educating students in the City of Pittsburgh. Employees must believe in, value and be committed to the educability of all; must promote the school and district vision of high standards of learning and academic rigor, continuous school improvement, and the inclusion of all members of the school community; must be willing to work in a high stress environment while maintaining the energy necessary to meet the responsibilities and expectations of the position. A sample of specific elements associated with the work environment of this position includes: -Frequently required to work at fast pace -Comfort with ambiguity -Requires considerable concentration and creativity -Able to adjust daily work plans and work hours to be highly responsive to school needs -Subject to stress caused by a changing environment, diversity in the organization, tight deadlines and work load, but must be able to maintain work/life balance amidst intense work demands.

ADA: The employer will make reasonable accommodation in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act of 1990.

OTHER INFORMATION: Upon hire and prior to the first day of employment employees must be cleared to work after review of required District clearances. The Pittsburgh Public School District is an equal opportunity education institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability in its activities, programs or employment practices as required by Title II of ADA, Title VI, Title IX and Section 504. It is the policy of the Pittsburgh School District to make all programs, services, activities and facilities available and to provide reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities. For information regarding accommodations, civil rights or grievance procedures, contact Employee Relations, 341 S. Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3516

The Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, creed, religion, gender (including gender identity or expression), sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, marital status, pregnancy or disability in its programs, activities, career and technical education programs or employment and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. It is the policy of the Pittsburgh School District to make all services, programs and activities available and to provide reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities. Please make requests for accommodations at least 72 hours before the scheduled event. For more information regarding accommodations, civil rights grievance procedures, please contact Employee Relations, Office of Human Resources, 341 S. Bellefield Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 or 412-529-HELP (4357).