Citywide Teacher - Students with Visual Disabilities

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience.

The mission of the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) is to provide high-quality and specially designed instructional support and services for all diverse learners within their least restrictive environment. We work collaboratively with several units, specifically schools and Networks with the goal of improving the academic achievement of all diverse learners by ensuring diverse learners receive meaningful and relevant access to grade-level core instruction within their neighborhood school, school of choice, or the school closest to their residence

Job Summary:

Citywide teachers of students with visual disabilities are responsible for providing direct instruction and consultative services to students with visual disabilities, as written in student IEPs. The Citywide teachers of students with visual disabilities will be reporting directly to the Manager of Visual Impairments Supports.

The Citywide Teacher - Students with Visual Disabilities will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

Provide direct instruction and consultative services for a caseload of students who have been identified as having visual disabilities

Collaborate with classroom teachers on implementation of strategies, accommodations, and/or modifications that will facilitate access to the common core state standards for students with visual disabilities

Teach and assess students in the nine areas of the expanded core curriculum for students with visual disabilities

Collect data toward mastery of IEP goals as outlined in student IEPs

Conduct functional vision assessments and learning media assessments to prepare for three-year re-evaluation meetings

Participate in annual IEP meetings and three-year re-evaluation eligibility conferences for students on caseload

Consult with parents of students with visual disabilities on student progress and how they can reinforce skills learned at school

Provide direct instruction on using high tech and low tech equipment specially designed for the use of students with visual disabilities

Participate in ongoing CPS and/or outside professional development opportunities and be able to impart knowledge acquired to fellow team members

Comply with all central office requests for data collection regarding student achievement and teacher accountability

Other duties as assigned

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Citywide Teacher - Students with Visual Disabilities must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

Bachelor’s degree or higher preferred

Licensed in the state of Illinois to teach students who are blind or who have visual disabilities

Experience Required:

Minimum of two (2) years as a teacher of students who are blind or have visual disabilities

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Proficiency in the literary braille code

Knowledge of the Nemeth code

Proficiency in teaching students to use screen reading software, screen enlarging software, braille note takers, magnifiers, monocular telescopes, and other low and high tech devices or apps specifically designed to provide access for people who are blind or have visual disabilities

Proficiency in the use of key commands and teaching of keyboarding skills

Knowledge of the common core state standards

Knowledge of and ability to design lessons on the nine areas of the expanded core curriculum for students who are blind or have visual disabilities

Ability to work as a member of several teams in several schools throughout a designated area of the city

Excellent spoken and written communication skills

Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice

CPS is committed to providing comprehensive health coverage to our employees and their eligible dependents. You'll have access to a variety of choices to best fit your needs:

Medical Plan Options

Pharmacy

Dental

Vision

Behavioral Health & EAP

Employee Wellness Program

Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow

We understand the importance of financial stability, which is why CPS offers strong retirement and savings options:

Basic Life Insurance

Life and Disability Insurance

Pension Plans

Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Spot Pet Insurance

Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional Life

CPS values the well-being of its employees and offers competitive paid time off policies:

Paid Leave

Sick Leave

Vacation Days

Parental Leaves

Short-Term Disability

Religious Holidays

Leaves

Reference the Chicago Public Schools: A Comprehensive Benefits Overview or the benefits handbook for comprehensive details.

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions; however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.