Job Class: Teacher of the Visually Impaired, 0779

Salary Range: $79,468 - $131,654/annually

Length of Appointment:

Calendar: School Term

Essential Duties

The teacher of the visually impaired is primarily responsible for specialized instruction and services required to meet the unique educational needs of the visually impaired children/student 3 through 21 years of age.

Consultation and Intervention

• Assists the student, parents, special and general education personnel, and sighted peers in:
• • Understanding the unique educational needs and learning characteristics of visually impaired students
  • Becoming aware of services and support available from local, regional, and statewide programs for visually impaired students
• Acquires information regarding local, state, and national resources in the education of visually impaired students
• • Interpreting the visually impaired student's specific eye condition, the educational implications of the visual impairment, and the results of functional vision assessments to all staff and the student's family
• Confers regularly with the classroom teacher, other general and special education personnel, parents, and others to coordinate programs and services for the student with a visual impairment
• Assists the site administrator and teachers in making environmental adjustments for the students in the school situation and in the improvement of practices and procedures
• Shares responsibility with classroom teachers in the identification of instructional areas in which the student requires assistance
• Takes responsibility for selecting and obtaining large type, recorded, or Braille textbooks, supplementary materials, educational aids, and equipment needed by the visually impaired student and the classroom teacher to ensure the student's maximum participation in all classroom activities. (Appropriate educational materials may be obtained form educational, clerical, or transcriber services, or prepared or adapted by the teacher of the visually impaired.)
• Provides specialized instruction to the student with a visual impairment, school personnel, and parents in the use of necessary educational aids and equipment
• Provides instruction to the student with a visual impairment in the development and maintenance of skills related to the visual impairment designed to meet students' unique educational needs in the following areas, as indicated in the IEP, IFSP, or the ITP:
• • Low vision and visual efficiency skills in coordination with the eye specialist. Concept development and academic skills in coordination with the classroom teacher and other staff
  • Sensory/motor skills in coordination with the physical education instructor, occupational and physical therapist, and the orientation and mobility specialist
  • Communication skills in coordination with the classroom teacher and the language, speech, and hearing specialist (These skills include reading and writing in Braille, keyboarding, and the use of appropriate assistive technology and oral/verbal/language skills or auditory listening skills or both.)
  • Career/vocational education skills in coordination with career/vocational education staff and rehabilitation counselors
  • Social/emotional skills and abilities in coordination with counselors, psychologists, and classroom teachers
  • Daily living skills in coordination with the orientation and mobility specialist, classroom teacher, and parent
• Provides assistance to the classroom teacher in academic subjects and activities of the classroom that, as a direct result of the visual impairment, require adaptation or reinforcement
• Consult and collaborate with school personnel regarding the identification process including pre-referral, referral, assessment, and eligibility determination
• Monitor referrals
• Provides assistance for any assessment
• Conducts the functional low vision assessment in coordination with the orientation and mobility specialist implementing medical records and file review, classroom observations, parent and classroom teacher input, and standardized (norm-referenced) and non-standardized (descriptive) methods, if appropriate
• Participates in IFSP/IEPIITP meeting for identified SPED students with visual impairments
• Serves as a case manager or service coordinator for students with no additional impairments including conducting annual IEPs
• Shares responsibility for initial and ongoing assessments, program planning, and scheduling with parents; the student, when appropriate; the classroom teacher: principal; counselor; and other school personnel
• Schedules adequate time for assessment, instruction, planning, preparation of material, travel, and conferences with relevant school and other key individuals (Scheduling should be flexible to meet the varying needs of each student.)
• Maintains ongoing contact with parents to assist them in the development of a realistic understanding of the child's abilities, progress, and future goals
• Provides in-service training programs for all school personnel, students, and community groups and education for parents regarding the needs, adaptations, programs, and services for visually impaired students, including consultation with eye care providers
• Is aware of pamphlets, films and other public relations materials that may be useful in developing realistic and unprejudiced attitudes toward visually impaired students
• Is aware of pertinent resource materials for visually impaired students to assist families and school personnel
• Assists in the coordination of other personnel such as transcribers, readers, counselors, orientation and mobility specialists, career/vocational education staff, and rehabilitation counselors
• Maintains a reference library of current professional materials
• Acquires information about current research, development, and technology and local, regional, state wide, and national resources
• The Teacher of the visually impaired in a self-contained classroom or school for the students with visual impairments may be responsible for instruction in all subjects in addition to undertaking most of the previously listed responsibilities.

Adapted form: Program Guidelines for Students Who Are Visually Impaired (California Department of Education, 1997)

Accountability

Follow procedures established by Special Education Services in performing the role of a teacher of the visually impaired including adhering to specific guidelines regarding the initial identification, triennial, re-evaluation and dismissal process

• Develop an assessment plan within 15-day timeline of receipt of written request of referral
• Hold IEP within 60-day timeline of receipt of signed assessment plan
• Develop measurable goals and objectives that are student-based in accordance with core curriculum and the District's Content and Performance Standards
• Be prompt and sign in/out at all schools
• Notify sites and Special Education Office when absent
• Attend all meetings, workshops, and professional development activities as requested and authorized by Special Education Executive Director or Supervisor Designated Instructional Services
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned or requested by SPED Supervisor-DIS or SPED Program Administrator-DIS
• Dismiss students form vision services following Exit Criteria
• Develop (annually) and review (quarterly) IEP goals and objectives in accordance with the core curriculum and the District's Content and Performance Standards
• Maintain data log a record keeping of referrals, timelines, assessments, IEP and eligibility
• Maintain direct service and consultation logs
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

SFUSD requires all teachers to hold or be pursuing a valid California Education Specialist Instruction credential in Visual Impairment and an English Learner certificate (CLAD or BCLAD). We welcome applications from visually impaired teachers who are actively pursuing a CA teaching credential, which is anticipated to be cleared by the time of employment.

What We Offer

SFUSD offers a competitive salary of $79,468 - $131,654/annually commensurate with experience in a similar position. We offer a comprehensive benefits plan including dental and vision plans, a defined benefit pension plan, disability, life insurance, flexible spending account options and vacation time. We also offer an inclusive and equity-centered environment where we encourage staff to bring their whole selves to work

SFUSD offers a competitive base starting salary depending on the size and grade level of your school as determined by the collective bargaining unit.

**SFUSD will credit years of verified service if you were an educator in another school district.

* We offer fully subsidized health benefits for individual coverage including free dental and vision benefits.

***NEW: Starting 7/1/2026: District pays 50% of Kaiser employee contribution for Employee+1 and Family (Employee Only status quo); non-Kaiser = pay difference vs Kaiser; eligible = 50%+ FTE and already receiving employee-only premium contribution

***NEW: Starting 1/1/2027: District pays 100% of Kaiser premium for Employee Only, Employee+1, Family; same eligibility

* Retirement pension contributions up to 19.1% equivalent of base pay.

* Free life insurance up to $25,000.

* Pre-tax medical & dependent care flexible spending accounts.

* A pre-tax commuter transit program is offered.

Salary breakdown

Teacher of the Visually Impaired - starting @ $79,468 base + SFUSD benefit contribution

How to Apply

• Visit https://jobs.redroverk12.com/org/sfusd and create a new account to begin your application.
• You will be prompted to electronically attach a letter of interest, resume, list of professional references and any applicable credentials or licenses
• Our Human Resources team will then review your entire application to determine your eligibility status and contact you directly should you move forward in the process

Please check back often to connect your application to specific openings as they are posted. Applicants will be contacted based on the needs of the district. For more information about careers at SFUSD, please visit https://jobs.redroverk12.com/org/sfusd . For more information about SFUSD's mission and Strategic Plan please visit www.sfusd.edu.

Verification

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at http://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements.

Note: Falsifying one's education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification from this and future job opportunities with the San Francisco Unified School District.