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The Laurel School District is seeking qualified applicants for the position(s) of Teacher for the Visually Impaired, for the 2024-2025 school year.

Salary Range:  $42,300.00-67,825.00 (Salary is dependent on years of experience and educational level) This position is part of the Certified Bargaining Agreement and placement on the salary matrix will be limited to ten years of service/experience.

QUALIFICATIONS:          

• Minimum of BA/BS degree in Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments, and Special Education.  Certification in Orientation and Mobility is preferred, but not required.

• Three (3) years successful teaching experience working with a wide range of age groups and handicapping conditions.

• Ability to read, write, and instruct in Braille.

• Knowledge of principles and techniques of individualized instruction and behavior management; assessment, subject area, and instructional methods, techniques and tools for students with visual impairment.

• Knowledge of the psychological, social and vocational impacts of visual impairment.

• Ability to work with children and adults.

• Ability to perform the duties required as outlined in a consistent and proficient manner.

• Ability to write reports and effectively communicate in written and oral form.

• Ability to effectively present information and respond appropriately to inquiries from students, parents, staff, and community.

• Ability to handle stressful situations and effectively manage time and responsibilities.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality of employment and student matters.

• Knowledge of age appropriate teaching methods, state curriculum framework, education code, appropriate instructional subjects.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Evaluate the individual needs of the students and create a specific program to meet these needs, which may be academic and/or social in nature.

• Evaluate and make periodic reports on the academic achievement and personal adjustment of the visually impaired student in cooperation with the regular classroom teacher and principal.

• Consult on a regular basis with classroom teachers in planning the instructional program for students with visual impairments.

• Confer frequently with parents and school staff members on each student’s progress.

• Provide appropriate physical and psychological environments to establish and reinforce acceptable student behavior, attitudes, social skills and self-image.

• Confer frequently with school nurse and parents to fully understand the visual problem and specific needs that it may create.

• Assist the classroom teacher in understanding and working with the visually impaired student.

• Conduct assessment and evaluation of students’ vision needs; attend and serve as a member of the IEP team to determine eligibility of students for program; assist in the development of IEP instructional goals and objectives; assist in identifying other related services for the student; evaluate student progress and submit reports in a timely manner to coincide with IEP review meetings.

• Establish a varied environment which accommodates the differing ways students learn.

• Provide, secure, and/or develop special equipment and materials including tapes, books, software, digital and electronic materials, as available and needed for each student.

• Teach special skills as needed which may include braille, typing, writing, daily living, prevocational skills, and community access.

• Work directly with individual students with visual impairment and develop goals and objectives.

• Prepare reports required by state and/or county; obtain required reports and consult with students’ physician regarding students’ physical condition.

• Prepare student year-end progress reports.

• Maintain collaborative and cooperative working relationships with parents, staff, school district personnel, and other community service agencies.

• Maintain effective and timely written and oral communication with parents, staff, school personnel, and community agencies; attend various school related meetings.

• Provide parent education related to student’s needs.

• Consult with teachers, vision educators, paraprofessionals, and other members of the educational team.

• Provide in-service training and consultation with staff, school district personnel, volunteers, and agency personnel.

• Work with general education staff to foster integration of special education students.

• Participate in professional development activities.

• Remain in contact with the Montana School for the Def and blind (MSDB) outreach consultant for products and materials related to American Printing House (APH)

• Promote high levels of achievement in relation to individual student abilities.

• Use techniques and methodologies appropriate to student abilities.

• Utilize current and relevant subject matter.

• Demonstrate knowledge of and abilities to use research-based principles of effective instructions.

• Organize instruction using learning objectives with clearly defined student outcomes.

• Employ teaching strategies congruent with planned student outcomes.

• Select teaching strategies emphasizing student involvement.

• Monitor student learning and pace instruction accordingly.

• Develop and maintain an environment conducive to effective student learning.

• Develop written rules of classroom behavior and communicate those rules to all students.

• Enforce written rules for classroom behavior.

• Communicate course goals and academic expectations to students.

• Provide for the health and safety of students in all instructional settings.

• Prepare daily lesson plans.

• Provide instruction predicated on course goals objectives, aligned with district adopted standards.

• Develop and communicate appropriate grading standards to students.

• Establish written grading standards that are clear and incorporate a variety of graded activities.

• Assure the grading standards are explained and available to parents.

• Develop and communicate appropriate grading standards to students.

• Establish written grading standards that are clear and incorporate a variety of graded activities.

• Assure that grading standards are explained and available to parents.

• Develop and maintain positive interpersonal relationships.

• Model personal behaviors of honesty, fairness, courtesy consideration, respect, and cultural awareness and responsibility.

• Assign and check homework and provide feedback to students.

• Maintain appropriate records of student performance.

• Build motivation and interest in learning.

• Exhibit personal interest and encourage student interest in the subject area.

• Maintain a current awareness of literature/activities in subject area.

• Maintain an ongoing personal program of professional growth and development.