Teacher of the Visually Impaired

Job Description

Job Description

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE : Provides individual and small group vision therapy services for students who are visually impaired or blind, and multiple disabled, within the Children’s Development Center. The Teacher of the Visually Impaired works collaboratively to provide a therapeutic and academic environment that supports the overall visual-spatial development of students with vision impairments or blindness. 

SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: 

• Exercises primary leadership and responsibility for visual or alternate access and for educational presentation of learning material to the students with vision impairments or blindness in the school and agency
• Explains visual aspects and responsibilities of care and presentation for individual students to teachers and staff and cooperates with staff to maintain classroom and training areas, and equipment;
• Implements a therapeutic-educational program for students who are visually impaired or blind
• Collaborates with therapists and other staff members in planning individual educational programs;
• Plans specific activities and prepares a schedule of activities within the program objectives;
• Maintains cooperative relationships with staff to achieve a strengthening of the total program;
• Discusses program and specific activities with families and other stakeholders in order to support students across environments
• Performs diagnostic studies in collaboration with program consultants;
• Presents specific agency services to community and professional groups as appropriate;
• Maintains appropriate records and writes accurate and insightful reports on students;
• Maintains an active interest and participates in the professional field at all levels;
• Participates in agency seminars and external training to meet continuing education requirements;
• Performs administrative and other duties as assigned by Supervisor.

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution with a major as Teacher of the Visually Impaired required;
• Illinois Professional Educator License as Teacher of the Visually Impaired required;
• 2-3 years’ experience in special education environments preferred; 
• Commitment to creativity in addressing the needs of the underserved children with visual impairments in Chicago and surrounding communities;
• Commitment to our mission of providing opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired is essential. 

Employee Benefits

• 1 hour vacation time per 35 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year
• 1 hour sick time per 35 hours worked, up to 48 hours per year
• Employee recognition events
• Company matched 401(k) plan
• The Chicago Lighthouse Children's Development Center is a year-round therapeutic day school where team members receive paid respite throughout the year, including one week in the fall, spring, summer, and August before the new school year, plus a two-week winter respite.

Additional Benefits

• Ability to determine hours worked during the Summer Quarter/ESY
• Paid regular salary throughout the entirety of the Summer Quarter/ESY 
• Paid at the hourly rate for all hours worked during Summer Quarter/ESY, in addition to receiving regular salary

The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired is an Equal Opportunity Employer in full compliance with local, state, and federal Civil Rights & Affirmative Action laws. The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired maintains a strong policy of accommodation and a consistent practice of employing qualified individuals with disabilities. All applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunity without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability unrelated to ability, sexual orientation, military status, order of protection status or unfavorable discharge from military service.