Description
SUMMARY
With supervision, plans, implements, and coordinates educational programming for preschool/PreK children who are typically developing, have visual impairments, and/or multiple disabilities within an inclusive classroom, small group, and individual settings.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Providing Educational Services
- Provides developmentally appropriate instruction to preschool/PreK aged children with visual impairments, including children with additional disabilities, through individual, small group, and classroom-based instruction.
- Plans and implements developmentally appropriate learning experiences that support all areas of early childhood development, including cognitive, language, social-emotional, adaptive, motor, and early academic skills.
- Adapts the classroom environment, instructional materials, and activities to maximize visual access, participation, communication, and independence.
- Provides instruction in the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC), including compensatory skills, sensory efficiency, orientation and mobility concepts, assistive technology, social interaction, self-determination, recreation and leisure, independent living, and career awareness as developmentally appropriate.
- Embeds ECC instruction within daily routines, play-based learning, and classroom activities.
- Conducts functional vision assessments, learning media assessments, developmental assessments, curriculum-based assessments, and ongoing observations to determine educational needs and monitor student progress.
- Collects and analyzes student performance data to guide instruction and document progress toward IEP goals.
- Develops, implements, and monitors Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and serves as case manager for assigned students, as appropriate.
- Collaborates with classroom staff to ensure appropriate accommodations, modifications, and specialized instructional strategies are consistently implemented.
- Collaboration and Family Partnership
- Collaborates with families to support children's learning, visual development, independence, and successful participation across home and school environments.
- Works collaboratively with related service providers and other educational staff to develop and implement coordinated educational programming.
- Collaborates with classroom staff to ensure appropriate accommodations, modifications, and specialized instructional strategies are consistently implemented.
- Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings, IEP meetings, family conferences, staff meetings, and professional learning activities.
- Program Coordination and Professional Responsibilities
- Maintains accurate student records, assessment reports, progress monitoring documentation, Medicaid or other required service documentation, and IEP records in accordance with federal, state, and school policies.
- Coordinates data collection, instructional materials, classroom resources, and adaptive equipment needed to support student learning.
CONDITIONS:
Equipment Used: Augmentative communication Devices, copy machine, computer, various adaptive and orthopedic equipment and telephone.
Performance Standard: Must assure 100% commitment to the integration, coordination, and implementation of student programs, and compliance with health and safety standards.
Work Environment: Multiple indoor and outdoor environments with varying sound, lighting and temperature conditions. May be exposed to various conditions when providing direct care to students.
Work Schedule: 35 hours per week, Monday through Friday, with a 30-minute unpaid lunch period. This position follows an 11 month school schedule. Additional hours or flex schedule may be required.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge, skills and general abilities:
- Comprehensive knowledge of special education principles, practices, and procedures, including developing and writing IEP's and performing appropriate teaching techniques.
- Experience working with students with autism and sensory disorders strongly preferred.
- Minimum of Bachelor's degree and qualifies for MSDE TVI or special education certification required with the ability to work toward obtaining certification in both TCI and special education upon hire.
- General knowledge of visual impairment, including causes, manifestations and adaptations.
- Some knowledge of medical disorders such as seizures or restrictions; adaptive technology, alternate modes of communication; and behavior management principles.
- General knowledge of core and expanded core curriculum, program development, classroom resource management, and student/personnel scheduling.