Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Special Education School

At Wayfinder Family Services, we understand the unique challenges facing some of our state’s most vulnerable children, youth and adults. Those with disabilities, those without a home of their own, those who have been abused and many, many more. We answer the call for them. We believe in the amazing potential in, and for, each and every one of them. And, together, we find a way to turn that potential into reality.  

Program and Role Summary:

Wayfinder’s Special Education School offers children and youth, ages 5 to 22, who are visually impaired or have moderate-to-severe disabilities a safe, positive environment for learning and growth. In the least restrictive environment in our state-certified, non-public school, teachers develop students’ communication, mobility and functional skills to increase their independence.

The primary focus of the Teacher of the Visually Impaired is to implement an individualized, comprehensive program for students who are blind or have low vision. This role is crucial in ensuring students with visual impairments have support in accessing their academic curriculum and develop the skills needed towards independence. The teacher is expected to involve parents/significant others in the student's program.

This is a part-time position budgeted for 2-3 hours/week.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide direct intervention in the child's natural environment; home, at a center-based site, or hospital. Coordinate your schedule to meet the needs of the family, ensuring weekly visits are met as authorized by the Regional Center or School District.
• Provide appropriate intervention to children 5 through 22 that exhibit severe motor delays with atypical or scattered skills or atypical tone, several global delays, moderate to severe feeding delays or disorders, feeding delays or disorders associated with secondary issue (reflux, sensory issues, etc., severe sensory challenges
• Provide comprehensive case management services to assist children with delays or disabilities and their families in gaining access to needed medical, social, educational, developmental, and other appropriate services at the frequency determined by program expectations.
• Conduct developmental assessments accurately and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team.
• Participates in the development and implementation of each child’s Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) and outcomes in collaboration with the family and education team, providing progress reports as required by each Regional Center or Local Education Agency.
• Provides family with information regarding visual diagnosis, early development, and effects of vision loss on early childhood development.
• Promote mobility and participation through design or acquisition of TVI services.
• Assists the family in identifying and accessing appropriate community resources and submits a referral.
• Performs other job duties as necessary or as directed by the supervisor.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Speech therapy or similar field required. Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from an accredited speech therapy program, preferred.
• Licensed by the State of California in Speech-Language Pathology.
• Minimum 1-3 years experience working as a Teacher for the Visually Impaired.
• Bilingual (Spanish), preferred.
• Valid CA Driver License with a minimum of three (3) years good driving history and must be approved by the agency’s insurance