Teacher for Blind and Low Vision Learners

Job Purpose Statement:

The itinerant teacher for students with visual impairments travels to the students' assigned schools to provide direct and/or consultative special education services relating to vision loss. These services enable the students to learn in a variety of settings. Services for infants may be provided in the infants' homes or child care settings. The students range in age from birth through 21 and may have only a visual impairment or additional disabilities. The cognitive levels of the students range from severely impaired to gifted and talented.

Certificated Required Attachments:

Cover Letter Resume 3 Certificated Reference Letters Valid Washington State Certification Position to begin employment in the 2026-2027 school year. This position is a 1.0 FTE. Employees (and their families) are eligible for medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance benefits, as administered by the School Employees Benefit Board (SEBB). Final benefit eligibility to be determined at time of hire. Employees are eligible to enroll in the Department of Retirement Services (DRS) SERS plan (classified employees) or TERS plan (certificated employees), as well as the DRS Deferred Compensation Program. Employees will receive vacation leave, paid holidays and additional compensation beyond their base salary as outlined in their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The Olympia School District is committed to increasing the diversity of staff in our schools. Candidates who can contribute to this goal are encouraged to apply and to identify their strengths and experiences in this area.

Essential Job Functions:

Assessment and Evaluation Perform functional vision and learning media assessments on new referrals and three-year re-evaluations Provide direct instruction to students, as determined by building team needs and individualized education programs. Interpret eye medical reports as they relate to educational environments. Contribute to the development of the

IEP/IFSP

with goals, modifications, learning styles. Recommend appropriate specialized evaluations as needed, such as low vision, orientation and mobility, psycho-social, and adaptive physical education. Consult with diagnosticians, classroom teachers, students, and parents concerning appropriate evaluations, modification, and test administration. Work as liaison with other agencies in the vocational assessment process. Participate in team assessments for students with moderate to severe cognitive disabilities. Provide screening and referral procedures to appropriate personnel. Appropriate Learning Environment Assist in determining and procuring classroom equipment and materials necessary for the student with visual impairments to learn (Brailler, low vision devices, assistive technology, computer) including ensuring necessary room modifications and lighting changes. Provide the classroom teacher with information regarding the specialized strategies needed to teach a VI student. Consult with other instructional staff to provide information to incorporate the expanded core curriculum into the entire instructional setting. Provide modified materials to the classroom teacher. Provide Braille, recorded/enlarged materials, and tactual symbols as appropriate for each child. Participate in transition planning. Administrative/Record Keeping Duties Provide updated pupil information. (VI registration, deaf/blind census, textbook projections) Submit requests for instructional materials, conferences, field trips, and personnel needs. Inform various special education personnel of progress and needs of the students with visual impairment on a regular basis. Identify and set up a work and storage space at each school to be used to instruct students as necessary. Provide input into students' schedules, planning for all special services, such as direct instruction and orientation and mobility. Maintain adequate record of all assessments, IEPs and progress reports. Provide progress reports on students with visual impairment in regular education classes and follow up with teacher and/or parent conferences as appropriate. Register students with visual impairments with appropriate agencies. Prepare paperwork as appropriate and attend IEP team and IFSP meetings on students with visual impairments. Distribute information to parents concerning workshops, conferences, and equipment acquisition. Communicate with low-vision specialists, ophthalmologists, and optometrists concerning exams, and attend exams when appropriate. Supervise material preparation and acquisition. Job Requirements -

Qualifications:

Bachelors or Masters degree from a college or university Washington Certification for teachers of students with visual impairments OM certification preferred Braille certification preferred The ability to travel between sites Essential Job Requirements -

Qualifications:

Skills, Knowledge and/or

Abilities Required:

Skills to communicate effectively, problem solve. Knowledge of curriculum, education code, district policies, problem solving methodology . Abilities to sit for prolonged periods, maintain and verify completeness of records, meet schedules and deadlines, communicate with persons of varied cultural and educational backgrounds, and communicate in oral and written form. Significant physical abilities include reaching/handling/fingering, talking/hearing conversations, near visual acuity/visual accommodation. Licenses, Certifications, Bonding, and/or

Testing Required:

Criminal Justice Fingerprint Clearance, appropriate Credential including ESA and Washington State Teaching Certification as an Educational Staff Associate in School Psychology.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Olympia School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Auxiliary aids and services will be provided upon request to individuals with disabilities. The following employee(s) have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Title IX Officer - James Whitehead, (360) 596-8545, jwhitehead@osd.wednet.edu; Executive Director of Elementary Education - Autumn Lara, (360) 596-8534, alara@osd.wednet.edu; Section 504 and ADA Coordinator (Students) - Ken Turcotte, (360) 596-7530, klturcotte@osd.wednet.edu; ADA Coordinator (Staff) - Starla Hoff, (360) 596-6185, shoff@osd.wednet.edu; Affirmative Action Officer and Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator - Scott Niemann, (360) 596-6185, sniemann@osd.wednet.edu.

Address:

Knox Administrative Center, 111 Bethel St NE, Olympia, WA 98506. The Olympia School District will provide reasonable Accommodations to enable persons with disabilities the opportunity to apply for open positions and to participate in District interview procedures. Persons with disabilities or are in need of translation services are asked to notify the Human Resources Office at least three days prior to the date on which the requested accommodation is needed.

Human Resources Officer:

Voice:

(360) 596-6185 or

TDD:

(360) 596-7537 or

FAX:

360-596-6181.