Job Openings

School District of Philadelphia

06/23/2021

Job Summary

Teaches students using curriculum, and instructional methods and techniques which enhance the student’s ability to improve mobility and independent functioning. Assesses visually impaired students to determine eligibility for service. Serves as member of a multi-disciplinary team for planning a comprehensive educational program for students, which includes remedial and affective education, and related instructional strategies.

Essential Functions

• Plans classroom lessons and activities in accordance with skill level of students; uses techniques and materials to enhance the students’ academic abilities.
• Performs orientation and mobility evaluations; participates in the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) process; determines students’ need for orientation and mobility services; conducts formal and informal assessments; makes recommendations for teachers and students for accommodations.
• Identifies students’ needs and strengths; determines the amount and frequency of service necessary to meet students’ determined needs.
• Provides instruction in orientation and mobility techniques and in the use of orientation and mobility 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.
• Provides instruction in travel skills in both indoor and outdoor environments, including utilization of mass transit systems.
• In consultation with multi-disciplinary team members, develops an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that sets individualized goals and objectives for each student; assists in the development and implementation of the Individual Education Plans (IEP) as it relates to orientation and mobility services; collaborates with teachers and other school personnel to develop and implement strategies for students receiving orientation and mobility services.
• Provides consultation and support to parents, teachers and other school staff; consults with teachers and other school staff to integrate orientation and mobility goals into classroom activities.
• Confers regularly with parents, teachers, and other school staff to assist in modifications to ensure reinforcement of appropriate orientation and mobility skills that will encourage visually impaired students to travel independently; counsel families to assist in the process of helping students utilize their remaining senses to determine their position in the environment and negotiate safe movement from one place to another.
• Evaluates students’ progress on an ongoing basis and keep progress notes on each student receiving orientation and mobility services; collects relevant data related to student achievement and maintains data to document and evaluate progress.
• Stays up-to-date with new developments and techniques in orientation and mobility.
• Performs related work as required.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Two years of full-time, paid, professional experience which has included working with students with blindness/visual impairment and multiple disabilities, and writing IEP goals. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Demonstrated knowledge of:

• Current methods, principles and practices of elementary and secondary education.
• The theory and principles of child growth and development.
• The theories and intervention strategies for students with visual impairment.
• Specialized principles, practices and materials used in the instruction of students with visual impairment.
• How to plan and conduct orientation and mobility assessments.
• Laws and regulations that affect orientation and mobility services.
• How to prepare and use equipment and materials, such as tactile maps, models, optical devices, pre-canes, global positioning system (GPS) devices, and long canes for the development of orientation and mobility skills.
• Braille and adaptive technology skills.
• Various educational uses of computers and of programs.

Demonstrated ability to:

• Select and organize curriculum content.
• Plan, prepare and implement lessons and activities in accordance with the skill level of the students.
• Prepare, plan and teach lessons.
• Teach use of the senses, orientation strategies and skills, and mobility skills.
• Use assistive technology with students with visual impairments.
• Provide orientation of new buildings and class schedules to students with visual impairments as needed.
• Provide for student safety during orientation and mobility instruction and in other environments while fostering maximum independence during lessons.
• Model orientation and mobility techniques for students, parents, teachers, and other school staff.
• Maintains records.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Certificates/Licenses

• Possession of a valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania certificate to teach the Visually Impaired.

E_mail: agarbuz@philasd.org

Phone: 484-393-5395

Cert: Any Certification