Teacher Visually Impaired: Secondary English Language Arts

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Vision Statement: CSDB aspires to be an exemplary global resource for families and professionals that excels in preparing diverse learners to transform the world with PRIDE:
Positive attitude, Respect, Independence, Determination, and Excellence.

Mission Statement: The Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB), in collaboration with families, school districts and community partners, ... educates and inspires learners throughout the state, birth through age 21, to achieve their full human potential through comprehensive, individualized academic, transition, residential and outreach programs and resources

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

This position reports to the School for the Blind Administrator(s), and is responsible for providing standards-based instruction to 6-12th grade students who are visually impaired, and who may have other disabilities. Utilizes Colorado State Standards and benchmarks in establishing instructional goals; and provides assessments that measure whether students meet standards, in a safe and civil school environment.

JOB FUNCTIONS

· Performs work associated with standards-based student instruction: prepares lesson plans, adapts instructional materials, develops input for and presents daily instructional/learning activities based upon the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and school reform tenets under the direction of the School for the Blind Administrator(s), maintains a positive classroom environment utilizing appropriate classroom management, keeps students on task and engaged in learning.

· Demonstrates knowledge / skill in the areas of task analysis, progress monitoring, daily living skills, assessment, behavior management, organization / planning, curriculum development, current technology practices relative to students who have vision loss, parent relations and teamwork.

· Works as part of an education / assessment team responsible for identifying, developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating individual objectives for assigned students.

· Serves as a Student Advocate for assigned students.

· Coordinates effectively with other service staff in providing student instruction, supporting school reform efforts, strategic planning, and positively contributing to co-curricular activities.

· Positively serves as a team member in the School for the Blind, and of the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB) as a whole; and participates in regular team and departmental meetings, school and instructional meetings as required.

· Provides parent consultation; participates in selected parent-focused activities, etc.

· Participates in activities related to professional development and training/workshops as appropriate.

· Performs other appropriate duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Education or closely related field from an accredited college or university; specialization in Education for the Visually Impaired preferred.
• Must hold or be eligible for appropriate educator licensure in the State of Colorado.
• Must hold, be eligible for, or able to obtain within two years from hire, appropriate educator licensure in the State of Colorado endorsed as a Special Education Specialist:
  Visually Impaired, or comparable endorsement.
• Subject area endorsement or specialization (Secondary English Language Arts).
• Experience teaching / working with children (in an educational environment) with visual impairments and/or multiple disabilities.
• Ability to demonstrate competency in Braille by the end of the first instructional year, as evidenced by possession of a CDE Certificate of Braille Competency.

KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• Knowledge of and ability to apply current standards-based educational practices associated with children who are visually impaired to a variety of settings.
• Knowledge of Expanded Core Curriculum for students with visual impairments, including those with multiple disabilities.
• Knowledge of and ability to assess and apply technology to perform the requirements of the position; ability to effectively utilize a variety of computer software applications, which may include but is not limited to e-mail, internet, word…