Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, serving the San Francisco Bay Area, is on a quest to find another full time Teacher of the Visually Impaired to join our unique team.

Vista Center is a private comprehensive blind center and we have provided services to both children and adults for more than 70 years. 

For decades we have been contracting our services to school districts.  We are now very interested in expanding our school program and enhancing the quality of our services to our students. We hope to hire additional teachers who will join us in this effort.   We are especially interested in teachers who understand their responsibilities, truly enjoy their work, enjoy a good raport with students and parents, have a positive attitude, are even-tempered, have a good sense of humor, and support the field of blind rehabilitation.  

These are some of the characteristics that make Vista Center a unique employer:

• We are not a school district!

•   Beyond the classroom, we offer a recreation program, a support group, and transition services for our young students. 

• We have recently initiated a  “When I Grow Up” program to acquaint blind and visually impaired children with successful blind and visually impaired adults.  (Most of our youngest students have never met a visually impaired adult!)

• As staff members of a blind center, our teachers have readily available colleagues in a variety of disciplines (low vision optomitrists, social workers, technology specialists, etc.) who are immediately available to share their expertise with you.

• We know our teachers are adults and we allow a flexible schedule and professional freedom.

• Our teachers are not required to be case managers.

• Vista’s staff is friendly and supportive.  We have a low staff turnover rate.  Most of our employees tend to stay with Vista Center for a very long time.

• We value creativity and we enjoy a good sense of humor.

• Vista Center is not mandated to provide services, so our staff can enjoy a more comfortable caseload.

• Our service area is among the most beautiful and diverse in the United States.

• Vista is very much part of the blind rehabilitation community.  We collaborate with other organizations, public and private, serving the blind and visually impaired members of our community. 
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• We support continuing education. We pay for memberships to professional organizations. 

• Yet, our students are at least 15% more adorable than those you will find elsewhere.

This is an itinerant position in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Our teachers provide their own transportation and are reimbursed at the recommended government rate (currently $0.575/mile). Vista Center offers a competitive salary and a benefit package that includes 11 paid holidays, health insurance, life insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, an FSA plan, and a 403b retirement plan. 

• For additional information please contact Paul Raskin at praskin@vistacenter.org or (650) 464-0412.

VISTA CENTER FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION:             Teacher of the Visually Impaired

REPORT TO:          Supervisor of Rehabilitation Services

FLSA STATUS:       Exempt, Full-time (part time and contract work considered)

EFFECTIVE:           May, 2016

SUMMARY

We are looking for applicants who love their work, are even tempered and have a good sense of humor.

Teachers of the Visually Impaired work with students in their classrooms, teaching special skills such as braille and the use of adaptive technologies.  They also help teach academic subjects, develop Individualized Education Programs, provide general in-services, help students develop good social skills, and collaborate with other professionals.

 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s from accredited college or university in education of the visually impaired.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Hold current California teaching credentials for providing TVI serices, or be able to acquire California credentials.
• Ability to work with a group of professionals and coordinate classroom schedules to best meet students’ needs.
• Be able to transport self to multiple worksites during the workday.  (Employer reimburses mileage)
• Knowledge of the early childhood development and the special learning needs of visually impaired children; techniques and procedures of teaching, functional vision assessments, and community resources.
• Ability to modify and adapt classroom materials, equipment, and classroom environment.
• Ability to establish rapport and maintain effective relationships with children and their families.
• Be knowledgeable in contracted braille and assistive technology.
• Ability to work as a multidisciplinary or transdisciplinary team member.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide direct instruction within a classroom setting.
• Provide education, consultation, and support to the students’ families and classroom teachers.
• Administer assessments and prepare corresponding report such as FVA, LMA, IEP, developmental checklists, progress notes.
• Maintain data collection and students’ records.
• Train, supervise and evaluate para-educators in the classroom.
• Communicate effectively with Supervisor, therapists, families, and students’ home school districts.
• Provide specialized instruction as the students’ teacher of the visually impaired.
• Collaborate with related service providers.