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Job Title: Teacher, Special Education - Blind/Visually Impaired, Special Ed Program 1 and Requisition ID number: 58015
Site: Locations may vary on a routine basis.
Close Date: No established closing date; open until filled
Full/Part Time : Varies
Union: Teachers(04)
Functional Area: Teaching
This position is a candidate pool and not a specific position at a school or department. This position may require an initial screening interview before being placed into the Candidate Pool. There may not be an available position(s) at the time of application but positions can become available at any time. The candidate pool is used to refer qualified applicants to the site/department with the open position. Human Resources will process your application, and once approved, your name will be sent to the Site(s) and or Department(s) with available positions.

Resume and Cover Letter are mandatory to apply for any position.

Teacher, Special Education - Blind/Visually Impaired

FUNCTION: Work as a member of the Special Education Department and teams to meet the needs of staff and to foster quality instruction for students with disabilities

RESPONSIBLE TO: Administrator, Director of Special Education Programs

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Valid MN special education licensure in B/VI, expertise in the area of assistive technology specific to blind/visually impaired and training with low vision devices is required.
• Additional Orientation and Mobility certification preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years' experience as a special education teacher; urban experience preferred.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides direct instruction, consultation, and evaluations to students (birth to 21 years).
• Provides services to students who have been medically diagnosed as having a visual impairment including, specialized curriculum modifications (enlarged print, Braille, taped materials,) environmental modifications, assistive technology, and provision and monitoring of low-vision devices.
• Strong skills in test administration, scoring and interpreting of norm-referenced and criterion referenced assessments.
• Experience in developing programs, orchestrating required services and resources to provide quality programming for students with disabilities.
• Advanced working knowledge of alternative curriculum, strategies and current best practices in provision of services for students with BVI.
• Assures that appropriate services are provided to students in compliance with Federal, state and local laws and MPS regulations and policies.
• Ability to plan, provide and evaluate effective professional development for small and large groups of teachers, administrators and other district staff.
• Excellent interpersonal skills particularly, collaboration, consultation, coaching, problem-solving and conflict resolution with teams.
• Successful experience working in partnership with families, students, staff, community agencies and other disability and adult service providers in a diverse community.
• Demonstrates excellent communication skills and maintain productive, positive and professional relationships.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of student and work-related issues, records and MPS information.
• Identifies strengths and areas for improvement in service delivery and plan staff development accordingly.
• Provides support and coaching to staff in implementing effective BVI services to students with disabilities.
• Meets regularly, a minimum of monthly, with BVI program personnel.
• Identifies and assist teams in the ordering and use of district approved curricula.
• Develops data collection systems, weekly progress monitoring.
• Consults with staff in using student performance data, progress monitoring and classroom observations to drive changes in instruction and intervention.
• Consults with Directors of Special Education, district staff and building personnel as needed.
• Possesses efficient skill with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel Spreadsheets, Power Point, Outlook).

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions:
School environment; may involve lifting up to 40 pounds; and the ability to sit, walk, and/or stand for extended periods of time, both indoors and outdoors.

Salary: 39 week - Teacher Salary Schedule, MFT local 59

For More Information, Please Contact: Martha Amundson, Director of Special Education Programs - martha.amundson@mpls.k12.mn.us

Additional Information: Final candidates may be invited to interview with a committee. Final appointment to this position will be contingent upon passing a criminal background check.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION POLICY:
Minneapolis Public Schools will not deny anyone the opportunity for training or employment because of sex, race, religion, color, creed, national origin, marital status, age, sexual preference, disability or status with regard to public assistance.

The Minneapolis Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action School District

Final appointment to this position will be contingent upon passing a criminal background check.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY:

Diversity is one of Minneapolis Public Schools core values and is essential to our goal of putting children first and making them college-ready. Diversity of our workforce provides us with a competitive advantage and allows us to better understand, communicate with and educate our diverse student body. Minneapolis Public Schools will not deny anyone the opportunity for training or employment because of sex, race, religion, color, creed, national origin, marital status, age, sexual preference, disability or status with regard to public assistance.

Minneapolis Public Schools strongly encourages diverse candidates to apply.