Abilene ISD - Teacher - SPED Visually Impaired

Job Details

Region: 14
School District/Employer: Abilene ISD
District Category/Employer: Campus,
Position: Teacher,
Assignment Level: Level
  • Alternative School
  • Early Childhood
  • Elementary
  • High School
  • Middle School
Area
  • Special Education
Job Title: Teacher - SPED Visually Impaired
School: District Wide
Campus Description:
Date Posted: 3/25/2026
Deadline: Until Filled
Openings: 1
Commitment: Full Time
Description/Notes: Primary Purpose:

The itinerant teacher for students with visual impairments travels to the students' assigned schools/homes to provide direct and/or consultative special education services relating to vision loss. These services enable the students to learn in a variety of settings. Services for infants may be provided in the infants' homes or childcare settings. The students range in age from birth through 21 and may have only a visual impairment or additional disabilities. The cognitive levels of the students range from severely impaired to gifted and talented.
Qualifications: Qualifications:

Education/Certification:        

Bachelor's degree from accredited university

Valid Texas teaching certificate with required endorsements or required training for subject and level assigned

Demonstrated competency in the core academic subject area assigned

Texas certification for teachers of students with visual impairments.

Special Knowledge/Skills:

Knowledge of core academic subject assigned

General knowledge of curriculum and instruction

Ability to instruct students and manage behavior

Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Assessment and Evaluation

Perform functional vision and learning media assessments on new referrals and three-year re-evaluations using identified standardized assessment protocol

Interpret eye medical reports as they relate to educational environments

Contribute to the development of the IEP/IFSP with goals, modifications, learning styles.

Recommend appropriate specialized evaluations as needed, such as low vision, orientation and mobility, psycho-social, and adaptive physical education

Consult with assessment staff, classroom teachers, students, and parents concerning appropriate evaluations, modification, and test administration

Obtain modified standardized testing materials and assist in the administration of the test as needed (STAAR, NAPT, ITBS, TAAS, SAT, ACT) and administer or

Work as liaison with other agencies in the vocational assessment process

Participate in team assessments for students with moderate to severe cognitive disabilities

Provide screening and referral procedures to appropriate personnel.



Appropriate Learning Environment

Assist in determining and procuring classroom equipment and materials necessary for the student with visual impairments to learn (brailler, low vision devices, assistive technology, computer) including ensuring necessary room modifications and lighting changes

Provide the classroom teacher with information regarding the specialized strategies needed to teach a VI student

Consult with other instructional staff to provide information to incorporate the expanded core curriculum into the entire instructional setting

Provide modified materials to the classroom teacher

Provide braille, recorded/enlarged materials, and tactual symbols as appropriate for each child.

Direct Instruction in the Unique Curriculum

Monitoring the students' progress in academic subjects and provide instruction in compensatory skills as needed in the areas the students may have difficulty with as a result of the visual impairment

Braille reading and writing

Low vision devices

Abacus

Typing/keyboarding

Adaptive devices (e.g., computers, note takers, tape recorders)

Listening skills

Visual efficiency

Concept development (especially for infants and early childhood students)

Daily living/self-help skills

Career readiness

Leisure and recreation skills

Social skills

Organizational and study skills

Self-advocacy.

Support Services

Provide assistance to students with visual impairments in understanding their attitudes and those of others concerning their visual impairment

Facilitate social integration and interaction with peers

Provide training and support to parents of students with visual impairments to enhance their children's independence

Provide the teachers, staff, and family of students with visual impairment with information regarding their individual needs, methodology, and strategies

Participate with other school personnel and agencies to secure job-related experiences for students

Participate in transition planning.

Administrative/Record Keeping Duties

Provide updated pupil information (VI registration, deafblind census, textbook projections)

Submit requests for instructional materials, conferences, field trips, and personnel needs

Inform various special education/campus personnel and parents of progress through IEP progress reports each 6

Identify and set up a work and storage space at each school to be used by the VI teacher to instruct students as necessary

Provide input into students' schedules, planning for all special services, such as direct instruction and orientation and mobility

Maintain adequate record of all assessments, IEPs, ARD papers, progress reports and signed parental release forms for things such as photographs and registration with various agencies

Provide 6-week progress reports as indicated by school policy on all students with visual impairment and follow up with teacher and/or parent conferences as appropriate

Prepare paperwork as appropriate and attend ARDs and IFSP meetings on students with visual impairments

Distribute information to parents concerning workshops, conferences, and equipment acquisition

Communicate with low-vision specialists, ophthalmologists, and optometrists concerning exams, and attend exams when appropriate

Liaison Between Community and School

Provide information about district and/or regional vision programs to the schools and community.

Provide information concerning recreational and summer programs to parents and students and assist with application forms and procedures. Such activities might include Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired summer school, Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (formerly known as Texas Commission for the Blind) summer work programs, or Lion's Club Summer Camp.

Professional Standards

Maintain a reference library.

Acquire information about current research, development, and technology by attending conferences, workshops, and area meetings and by reading journals in the field of visual impairment.

Attend professional development activities related to identified educational needs of assigned students.

Salary Range: Wage/Hour Status:  Exempt

Pay Grade:  Teacher, Nurse, Librarian
Benefits: Benefits are offered and the district pays $410.00 towards medical premium a month.
How To Apply: https://www.applitrack.com/abileneisd/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Teacher&subcategory=Teacher+%2D+Special+Education

Contact Person:

Name: Charlene Ganske
Email: charlene.ganske@abileneisd.org
Address: P.O. Box 981
City: Abilene
State: TX
Zip: 79604
Phone: (325) 677-1444
Fax: (325) 794-1498