Position Type:
Teacher: Special Education Visually Impaired/Teacher of the Visually Impaired

Date Posted:
2/1/2023

Location:
ITINERANT STAFF

Bargaining Unit: AEA
Work Year: 182 days per year

The successful candidate will receive an additional 6% increase on their annual salary.

Job Summary
The Teacher of the Visually Impaired travels to different assigned schools in the district to provide direct and/or consultative special education services relating to visual impairment and blindness. These services enable the students to learn in classroom and community environments. The students range in age from 3 through 21, and may or may not have additional disabilities. The cognitive levels of the students range from severely impaired to gifted and talented. The TVI reports to and is evaluated by the Director of Sensory Services.

This position requires a valid Alaska educator certificate. The number of work days is based upon the AEA negotiated pay scale. Information on the pay scale can be found online on our Labor Relations Department website. This position's grade level, content area taught, and work site may change dependent upon student enrollment and district staffing needs. Positions that are 0.50 FTE to 1.0 FTE are associated with the Alaska Teachers' Retirement System (TRS), positions that are 0.40 to 0.49 FTE are associated with the Alaska Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Positions that are 0.39 FTE or less are not eligible for state retirement benefits.

Job Requirements
The following are required:

1. A valid Alaska initial, professional, or master teaching certificate with an endorsement in education of the Blind/Visually impaired by position start date.
2. Evidence of content knowledge shown by:
   1. a posted degree in the content area of this position; or
   2. a posted minor in the content area of this position; or
   3. passing Praxis Subject Assessments scores (formerly Praxis II) in the content area of this position; or
   4. an endorsement in the content area of this position
3. A valid Alaska driver's license.

The following are preferred:

1. Evidence of experience working with blind/visually impaired students.
2. Experience working collaboratively to support the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) needs of Blind and Visually Impaired students in a public school setting.
3. A Library of Congress Braille Transcription certification.

Essential Job Functions

1. Understands the development of blind/visually impaired students and applies this knowledge to observable and measurable IEP goals and objectives.
2. Establishes and maintains standards of pupil behavior to achieve an effective learning atmosphere.
3. Has the ability to use current technology such as Braille 2000, Braille Touch, iPad, Chromebook, JAWS, etc, to give blind/visually impaired students access to ASD's curriculum.
4. Provides instruction for visually/impaired students by developing, selecting, and modifying the classroom teacher's instructional plans and materials to meet the needs of students utilizing Braille, large print, and technological devices.
5. Demonstrates proficiency in the use of Functional Vision and Learning Media Assessments and recommends appropriate specialized evaluations and assessments, such as Orientation and Mobility as needed.
6. Interprets medical eye reports as they relate to educational environments.
7. Schedules time efficiently for assessment, instruction, planning, preparation of materials, travel, and conferences with relevant schools and other key individuals.
8. Participates as a vision professional in eligibility and IEP meetings.
9. Collaborates with teachers to ensure appropriate accommodations, modifications, adaptive and assistive devices, supplementary aids, and services are available to students when appropriate.
10. Collaborates with the Braille specialist and support staff to adapt materials for blind/visually impaired students.
11. As needed, provides training and support in skills unique to the blind/visually impaired population for teacher assistants who work directly with students.
12. Maintains regular communication with parents and families.
13. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with others.

Physical /Mental Demands
The physical demands of this job require frequent standing, walking, sitting, speaking and hearing. Specific visual abilities are also required. The employee is regularly required to reach with his/her hands and arms and occasionally lift items weighing less than 40 lbs. Additionally, the employee must be able to understand vague and implicit instructions, be able to readily recall facts and details, handle conflict and make effective decisions under pressure. The employee must have the ability to effectively manage the stress of working with students, parents, and other employees representing diverse cultures, personalities, and work styles in a dynamic work environment.

The Anchorage School District is committed to providing reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all individuals with a qualified physical or mental disability.

Work Environment
Work is performed in a professional environment with a wide variety of individuals having differing functions, personalities and abilities, including working with diverse groups of people in a variety of different settings.

While performing the duties of this job the employee may be regularly exposed to a video display. The employee may be exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Additional Job Information
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job related duties as requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

Anchorage School District (ASD) employees must possess the ability to read and write in English. This also includes the ability to communicate in English with school staff, co-workers, and the public; as well as have the ability to comprehend and carry out oral and written directions and understand and follow English instructions and written documents.

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a satisfactory criminal background check. For certificated positions, this is in addition to the background check conducted through the certification process with the Alaska State Department of Education and Early Development (DEED).

This position may be required to work in ASD facilities on the military installations (JBER). Please visit the government REAL ID website for additional information.

The Anchorage School District is an equal employment opportunity employer.