Position Type:
Special Education/Visually Impaired
Date Posted:
5/17/2024
Location:
All Schools
Subject: Special Education
Location: TBD (will require traveling to other schools in the county to provide services)
FTE: Full-time
Status: Exempt (Teacher bargaining unit)
Terms: 10-month, 187-day work year, normally 7.6 hours per day but may be greater depending upon system need. Extended school year is a requirement of the position and will be paid by an additional stipend amount.
Salary: Unit I Teacher Salary Scale
Supervisor: Director of Special Education
Availability: Immediately for the 2024-2025 School Year
Deadline: Applications received by 11:59 p.m. on May 22, 2024, will be considered for the initial interviews and will be given first consideration. Applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled.
Job Description:
Provide specialized instruction utilizing methods and curriculum and instructional strategies appropriate for visually impaired students.
Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in applicable special education field
• Teaching certificate or eligibility to receive a teaching certificate for teaching visually impaired students issued by the Maryland State Department of Education or another state department of education
• Excellent written and verbal skills
• Outstanding organizational and interpersonal skills, including, but not limited to, the ability to interact successfully with diverse stakeholders (i.e., students, staff, administration, parents, general public, community agencies, etc.)
• Proficiency in a variety of technology and applications related to visual impairments
• Ability to interpret, explain, present, and use data
• Ability to understand complex, multi-step written and oral instructions
• Successful management of confidential information and materials
• History of initiative, discretion, leadership, and independent judgment
• Demonstrated understanding of and attention to detail, especially as it relates to student safety and well-being
• History of professionalism and strong work ethic
• Ability to problem-solve, work independently and as part of a team, and function without distractions
• Ability to serve as a positive role model for students, staff, and other stakeholders
• Self-motivated with the ability to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressured environment
• Ability to maintain emotional control while addressing stressful situations
• Ability to multi-task
• Ability to stand, sit, walk, feel, climb, balance, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, bend, push, pull, and carry
• Good hearing, vision, depth perception, and peripheral vision
• Ability to lift and transport heavy to moderately heavy objects averaging 50-75 lbs.
• Ability to lift and assist students with special healthcare needs
• Significant dexterity of hands and fingers
• Regular and predictable attendance
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job either with or without reasonable accommodations

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree or higher in applicable special education field
• Three (3) years of teaching visually impaired students
• Orientation and Mobility Certification
• CPR and First Aid certification

Duties and Responsibilities:
The following duties and responsibilities are intended only as examples. The omission of a specific duty or responsibility does not exclude it from the position if the work is a similar, related, or logical assignment.
The teacher will:

• Assists the student, parents, special and regular education personnel, and the student's sighted peers in:
  • Understanding the unique educational needs and learning characteristics of visually impaired students,
  • Becoming aware of services and support available from local programs for visually impaired students,
  • Acquiring information regarding local, state, and national resources for the education of Develop daily lesson plans that reflect the IEP goals and regular grade curriculum.
• Consult regularly with classroom teachers, other school personnel, parents, and others to coordinate programs and services for students with visual impairments.
• Assist the schools in making environmental adjustments for students with visual impairments.
• Read and produce Braille.
• Knowledge of assistive technology related to visual impairments.
• Develop and implement the IEPs for all assigned students and coordinate the IEP for their academic and related service areas within the school.
• Develop and maintain summaries to reflect student progress and prepares sequential and meaningful instruction geared to the student's assessed needs and IEP goals and objectives.
• Collect and disseminate student information necessary to assist students in successful mainstreaming to the regular school environment.
• Provide assistance to the classroom teacher in academic subjects and activities of the classroom that, as a direct result of the student's visual impairment, require adaptation for the student.
• Provide in-service training for school personnel regarding adaptations, programs and services to students with visual impairments.
• Maintain open communication with school and appropriate service agencies while, at the same time, respecting the need for student confidentiality.
• Provide on-going communication and contact with parents/guardians and agency representatives to enhance student progress.
• Attend all staff, IEP, and other related meetings to review and plan goals and strategies, as well as update student progress status.
• Maintain and update special education files and IEPs, as well as all forms and records required by school policy and procedures and state and federal reporting requirements.
• Supervise students (e.g., classroom, hallway, restroom, cafeteria, field trips, etc.).
• Lift, move, and operate adaptive equipment, as necessary.
• Assist students with mobility needs (e.g., lifting, positioning, loading and unloading, bathrooming, etc.), as needed.
• Supervise instructional assistants assigned to the classroom.
• Positively advocate for students with disabilities.
• Evaluate student progress using appropriate assessment techniques.
• Take all necessary safety precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Counsel students when academic and behavioral problems arise.
• Confer with parents and students regarding progress of assigned students and arrange and participate in teacher-parent or teacher-student conferences, as necessary.
• Monitor appropriate use and care of equipment, textbooks, materials, and facilities.
• Account for and order classroom and program equipment and supplies, as necessary.
• Attend and actively participate in staff/faculty meetings and appropriate job-related professional development.
• Improve skill and knowledge base in subject matter, current trends, research and methodology in instructional techniques, technology, multicultural content, problem-solving and interdisciplinary connections.
• Plan and supervise purposeful assignments for substitutes and volunteers, as necessary.
• Contribute to the short-term and long-term successes of students, staff, school, and the system in general. Garrett County MD Teacher for the Visually Impaired Page
• Engage in life-long learning of professional and technical knowledge by attending appropriate workshops, reviewing professional publications and websites, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional organizations.
• Present courteous and professional demeanor at all times.
• Demonstrate proficiency, flexibility, self-motivation, accountability and ownership, and positive demeanor.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Questions:
Should you have questions and/or require assistance with accessing or completing the on-line application, contact the Office of Human Resources and Employee Relations at 301-334-8904.
Accommodation Requests:
In the event you are contacted for an interview, please notify the Office of Human Resources and Employee Relations at that time of any reasonable disability-related accommodation requests.
The Garrett County Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, ancestry or national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or disability in matters affecting employment. Questions about this policy should be directed to the Director of Human Resources and Employee Relations at 301-334-8904.