Job Description:

In collaboration with students’ education teams, this position provides consultation and/or direct services including comprehensive orientation and mobility (O&M) services to students whose visual functioning interferes with educational performance. Addresses individual students’ needs to ensure the ability to derive full benefit from the educational program and to achieve maximum independence through instruction in compensatory skills including daily living skills, self-advocacy, and recreation or leisure skills as related to orientation and mobility.

Essential Functions Include:

• Provides training and direct instruction in O&M techniques and in the use of O&M materials and devices including visual efficiency skills, utilization of residual vision, concept and sensory development, spatial orientation, familiarization to environments, and utilization of tactile, visual, and auditory maps.
• Consults with other instructional staff to provide information to incorporate the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) into the entire instructional setting.
• Performs O&M evaluations on long and short-term needs of the student for new referrals and at intervals as designated by the IDEA for students ages 3 to 21.
• Provides Braille, recorded/enlarged materials, and/or tactual symbols as appropriate for each child.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities include:

• Thorough knowledge of differing levels of visual functioning and blindness.
• Thorough knowledge of Braille code & strategies for teaching Braille.
• Thorough knowledge of applicable Washington State and Federal rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of medical information and indications for O&M services.
• Knowledge of implications for early development on growth and learning.
• Knowledge of and strong skills in teaching the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC).
• Strong skills in assistive technology.

For full job description, visit www.nwesd.org/job/teacher-for-the-visually-diverse/.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in special education, with certification specifically in teaching visually diverse students is required.
• Valid Washington State Educational Staff Associate (ESA) certificate endorsed in O&M.
• O&M certification is desirable but not required.
• A state Braille competency test is required.
• WSP/FBI criminal history background clearance required.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license and proof of liability insurance required.

Address

1601 R Avenue, Anacortes, WA 98221