Company Overview
Sonja Biggs Educational Services Inc. (SBES) is dedicated to empowering students with visual impairments through tailored educational services. Our mission is to ensure that every student has equal access to learning opportunities, fostering self-determination and independence in a supportive environment.
Summary
We are looking for a passionate Teacher to join our team at SBES. This role is essential in providing quality education and support to students with visual impairments, contributing to their success and independence in a nurturing atmosphere.
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement individualized education plans (IEPs) for students with visual impairments.
- Provide direct instruction and support in various subjects in hybrid (remote and in-person) settings, adapting materials as needed.
- Utilize effective behavior management strategies to create a positive learning environment.
- Instruct the visually impaired student in the development of skills and knowledge that enable him or her to travel independently, based on assessed needs and ability.
- Teach the visually impaired student to travel with proficiency, safety, and confidence in familiar and unfamiliar environments.
- Collaborate with parents, staff, and specialists to ensure comprehensive student support.
- Monitor student progress and adjust teaching methods accordingly.
- Conduct assessments to evaluate student needs and outcomes.
- Foster independence and self-advocacy skills among students.
- Maintain accurate records of student performance and communicate progress with stakeholders.
- Conduct and analyze assessments that focus on both long and short-term needs of the student with recommendations to include: strengths of the student, indoor and Outdoor skill recommendations, IEP goal(s) recommendation (with 100% accuracy), projected length of service time and frequency of service necessary to meet identified needs. (use O&M calculator or severity chart).
- Prepare and use equipment and materials, for example, tactile maps, models, distance low vision devices, and long canes, for the development of O&M skills.
- Transport the student with parent permission to various community locations, as necessary, to provide meaningful instruction in realistic learning environments.
- Be responsible for the student's safety at all times and in all teaching environments while fostering maximum independence.
- Provide in-service training to regular and special education personnel, sighted peers, and parents concerning the O&M needs of the student and appropriate methods and procedures for interacting with the visually impaired person that will foster maximum independence and safety.
- Provide remote and in person O&M instruction, where appropriate, in a number of specific areas: body imagery, laterality, environmental concepts, gross and fine motor skills related to independent travel, sensory awareness, stimulation, and training, spatial concepts, compass direction concepts, sighted guide procedures basic protective and information-gathering techniques orientation skills, map skills, cane skills, use of residual vision, low vision devices related to travel skills, urban, suburban, and rural travel, travel in business districts, procedures for crossing streets including how to deal with traffic control signals, use of public transportation systems, procedures for use of the telephone for information gathering and for emergencies, procedures for interacting with the public knowledge and application of community address systems, procedures for travel and independent functioning in places of public accommodation, skills of daily living, and sensory/motor skills in coordination with the physical or occupational therapist and teacher of visually impaired students, and skills for independent living.
Maintain Appropriate Learning Environment
- Assist in determining need for and procuring classroom equipment and materials necessary for students with visual impairments to learn O&M including ensuring necessary room modifications and lighting changes
- Provide team members and interagency linkages with information regarding the specialized strategies needed for success with each VI student, including those working with infants in non-school-based settings
- Consult with other educational team members, including parents and rehabilitation service providers to provide information necessary to maximize incorporation of O&M into the entire instructional setting
- Provide modified materials to team members, as appropriate
- Order, distribute, and maintain canes and low vision devices related to travel
- Consult with and advise school personnel on design and provision of safe efficient environments
Support Services
- Provide assistance to students with visual impairments to facilitate positive 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
- Inform various special education and campus personnel of progress and needs of the students with visual impairment on a regular basis
- Provide input into students’ schedules, planning for all special services, with respect to orientation and mobility
- Maintain adequate record of all assessments, related to the IEP, progress reports and signed parental release forms for things such as photographs and registration with various agencies, as appropriate
- Provide 6-week, 9-week, or 12-week progress reports as indicated by student program on students with visual impairment in regular education classes and follow up with teacher and/or parent conferences as appropriate
- Refer students with visual impairments to appropriate supporting agencies
- Prepare paperwork as appropriate and attend IEP meetings and IFSP meetings on students with visual impairments
- Distribute information to parents concerning workshops, conferences, and equipment acquisition for O&M
- 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 O&M 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 the state’s school for the blind summer program, Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students (SCI-VIS), summer work programs, or special camps, such as those sponsored by Lion's club.
Professional Standards
- Help maintain the company’s 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 Orientation & Mobility
- Maintain certification
Other duties
- Accurate and professional service logs submitted no later than 3 days after the date of service,
- Participation in office organization,
- Active participation in weekly employee meetings
- Active participation in employee trainings
- Feels comfortable working with students with moderate to severe disabilities
- Demonstrates frustration tolerance, emotional maturity, stability, and ability to perform under stress
- Shows ability to exercise good judgment, cooperation, tact, and discretion in dealing with the student, family, and others
- Shows interest in developing additional knowledge and skills
- Follows team decisions, established policies and procedures, and designated lines of communication and authority
- Punctuality and reliability
- Hybrid or in-person services consideration
Qualifications
- Valid teaching credential for VI in California; other state certifications a plus.
- Clinical or Rehabilatative Services Credential - O&M
- Experience working with students with visual impairments (including those with CVI, complex access needs, and/or deafblindness) is required
- Strong mentoring skills to guide and support students effectively.
- Knowledge of instructional design principles and behavior management techniques.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills for collaboration with students, parents, and colleagues.
- Ability to work effectively and efficiently in both remote and in-person environments.
- Strong organizational skills, including maintaining an accurate Google Calendar and managing files and folders on Google Drive.
If you are ready to make a meaningful impact on the lives of students with visual impairments, we invite you to apply today and become part of our compassionate team at Sonja Biggs Educational Services Inc.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: $39.00 - $54.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Teaching: 1 year (Required)
- Special education: 1 year (Required)
License/Certification:
- CA Teaching Certification for Visual Impairments (Required)
- CA Clinical or Rehabilatative Services Credential - O&M (Required)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: Hybrid remote in San Diego, CA
