Lead Teacher, Visually Impaired - Wake County Public School System

POSITION TITLE (Oracle title)

LEAD TEACHER     

WORKING TITLE

Lead Teacher-District Staff for the Visually Impaired (VI)

SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT

Special Education Services-Visually Impaired

LOCATION

Crossroads II, Cary, NC

PAY GRADE

Classroom Teacher (not eligible for National Board pay)

FLSA STATUS

Exempt

ELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

Yes

WORK WEEK SCHEDULE

Monday-Friday (occasional evenings and weekends) Position is available for a Hybrid Telework workweek

POSITION PURPOSE:

Develops, cultivates, and implements a vision for district services for students with VI that align with the district goals and Special Education Services. Provides leadership in Special Education Services, the VI teachers, and O&M Specialists, and braillists regarding the provision of specially designed instruction for students having VI.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

• Extensive knowledge of the state and federal legal requirements for the development and implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students eligible for visual impairment specially designed instruction, grades K-12;
• Considerable knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Google apps;
• Knowledge of standards and instructional strategies supporting students with visual impairments to access the Standard Course of Study and Extended Content Standards;
• Knowledge and ability to develop and provide quality professional learning to district and school staff incorporating effective strategies for adult learners;
• Ability to collect, interpret, and analyze student and teacher performance data in order to generate effective courses of action;
• Ability to mentor and coach staff members;
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form using a variety of communication techniques and tools to ensure the appropriate flow of information, collaborative efforts, and feedback;
• Ability to collaborate with school-based administrators and staff to support students with visual impairments in their assigned schools;
• Ability to collaborate with parents and community resources to support transition services for students with VI;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, and build consensus with teachers, support staff, central services, students, parents, business personnel, and community agencies.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in VI studies and/or Special Education;
• Five years of successful teaching experience;
• Leadership experience in assessing student needs; planning, developing, and implementing programs; evaluating program effectiveness; and in designing and conducting professional staff development.

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

• Hold or be qualified to hold a North Carolina Professional Educator’s License in Visually Impaired (VI);
• Must hold and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator’s license according to the State of NC requirements.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in special education and/or School Administration;
• Special Education Certification: General and/or Adaptive Curriculum - Exceptional Children; Visually Impaired- Exceptional Children;
• Experience with technology and low vision devices;
• Experience with Neurological/Cortical Visual Impairment (N/CVI).
• Supervisory/leadership experience;
• Proficiency with Wake County Public Schools applications and programs: ECATS, PowerSchools, Canvas, Google, etc.;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Publisher, iOS application, and social media (e.g., Twitter);
• Knowledge of ZoomText, JAWS/NVDA, Duxbury software, and Tiger software.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Supports district level goals related to K-12 students with disabilities having VI performance growth.
2. Based on data and research, assists with the identification, implementation, and support of research-based instructional and behavioral practices that support student growth for students having VI.
3. Assists with the development and implementation of short-term and long-term plans and goals to support and train schools based on the identified research-based practices.
4. Assists with the creation and administration of professional development plans including budgeting, contracts, substitutes, PowerSchools management, and communication.
5. Stays current on trends, research, and best practices for instruction and behavior by attending professional development events, utilizing social media, and communicating with relevant professionals within and outside the district.
6. Collaborates with Special Education Service teams to align literacy, math, and behavioral instruction and assessment to support the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) strategic plan mission, vision, and goals.
7. Provides direct, targeted support to Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Braillists.
8. Regularly visits schools providing targeted support and assistance as outlined in identified best practices for instruction and behavior support.
9. Attends IEP/Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA)/Behavioral Intervention Plan (BIP) pre-planning and scheduled meetings to establish processes for building capacity at the school level.
10. Assists the Senior Director in the evaluation of itinerant staff allotted for providing services for students having VI.
11. Assists Senior Director with the allocation process for Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Braillists.
12. Assists with research and implementation of the use of technology in Special Education classrooms designed for students with VI. This can include instructional program delivery, teacher support, online resources, online collaboration, social media, mobile data collection, etc.
13. Manages and submits House Bill 11 documents and American Printing House for the Blind (APH) Quota registration and ordering of equipment from APH.
14. Collaborates with Department of Services for the Blind.
15. Manages and supports vision screening process for IEP purposes.
16. Coordinates low vision evaluations.
17. Attends Deafblind Advisory Committee meetings.
18. Manages contracts for visual impairment equipment repairs and for VI services.
19. Performs other related duties, as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This job operates in a professional office environment and has a noise level of mostly low to moderate. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, scanners, and copiers. The position, at times, must be able to come into direct contact with school system staff, students, parents, external agencies, and the public. Work is considered light physical work, requiring the exertion of up to 25 pounds of force. The work requires driving automotive equipment frequently within Wake County.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  11/2024

DISCLAIMER:  The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this position.  They are not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required by the employees assigned to this position.  This description may be revised by HR and approved at any time.