Teaching Assistant - Visually Impaired - 205 Days
Washtenaw Intermediate School District - Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, 48103Work at Washtenaw Intermediate School District
Overview
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Overview
Date Posted:11/29/2023
Location:High Point School
Closing Date:Until FilledThis is a 205-day position and Pending Board Approval
The WISD's Mission
is to promote the continuous improvement of achievement for every student while providing high-quality service to our customers through leadership, innovation, and collaboration.
The WISD's Vision
is to be a leader in empowering, facilitating, and delivering high-quality, boundary-spanning, educational system that educates all children through an equitable, inclusive, and holistic approach.
SUMMARY:Assists teachers and other professional staff such as the Teacher Consultants for the Visually Impaired (TCVI) and Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS) by performing a variety of duties designed to implement the instructional program for students with visual impairments such as, gathering schoolwork from teachers, transcribing curricular materials into Braille, large print, digital and/or tactile formats, and troubleshooting issues with relevant technology.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Demonstrates a strong commitment to equity, social justice, and inclusion in all practices and position responsibilities.Demonstrates the ability to examine how his/her/their position (directly or indirectly) impacts educational inequities in student achievement outcomes.Engages in reflection and ongoing learning and development on critical concepts and terms identified in the Washtenaw ISD Educational Equity Policy including concepts such as cultural proficiency, racial equity, and systemic and structural inequities.Supports WISD vision and mission to enhance achievement for all students.Demonstrates excellent customer service.Communicating daily with classroom teachers, school staff, and TCVI regarding VI-specific student needs.Attends classes, including specials and field trips as needed to support student.With classroom teachers, TCVI and school staff, identifying curricular materials in need of transcription or adaptation.Prepares adapted materials in Braille and/or other formats such as enlarged or digital print.
Produces daily student work such as: worksheets, presentation slides, and other daily assignments and materials.Transposing materials that are presented in inaccessible formats, online platforms, and applications. (Schoology, Pair Deck, PDF, etc.)
Transposes Braille produced by students into print.Reinforce skills being taught by the TCVI and COMS, including Braille reading skills, mobility skills, independence, assistive technology devices, features, and software, and use of online platforms and distance learning educational tools.Encourage independent work and problem solving by the student and support when appropriate.Demonstrate operational knowledge of Internet and Web-related technologies.Demonstrates skills and comfort using the latest instructional online tools and technology.Implements strategies for student independence.Monitors health needs and implements specialized care programs under the direction of professional staff.Assists in self-care, eating/feeding and dressing, as well as medical intervention if necessary.Supervises students in classes and/or in the community.Integrates support services activities into the program's curriculum and the school day.Assists in implementing and monitoring IEP through group and individual instruction independently and through regular meetings and collaboration with professional staff.Provides assistance to facilitate student needs, including implementation of ancillary designed service programs under the direction of professional staff.Participates in building and district level activities, staff meetings, student staff meetings, program meetings, in-service activities and other meetings as determined necessary for assigned students.Participates in professional development, maintains appropriate certification and qualifications and keeps current in changing pedagogy.Provides assistance to the operation of the student's total school program.Participates in district and school initiatives, adheres to building and district school improvement plans.Supports WISD vision and mission to enhance achievement for all students.Supports a team-based approach to problem solving.Adheres to district and school rules and procedures.Willingness to move to different schools and districts based on student needs.Conducts behavior to demonstrate appropriate role-modeling, collegiality and professionalism.Performs such other tasks as may from time to time be assigned by the supervisor.Regular predictable attendance.Report to WISD VI Supervisor.AND OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
N/A.
QUALIFICATIONS:To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Alternative requirements that may be appropriate and acceptable to the Board of Education may be considered. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
MINIMUM EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
High school diploma or equivalent required.Desire and ability to learn skills related to supporting students with visual impairments including: Braille, Nemeth Code, assistive technology, low tech tools, cortical visual impairment adaptations, and orientation and mobility.PREFERRED EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
Associate degree or at least 60 hours of college credits preferred.WorkKeys, MTTC Basic Skills, or ETS preferred.Braille/Nemeth transcription certification or relevant experience preferred.Relevant experience using hardware such as Braille embossers, Braille notetakers, and other assistive technology and software for the blind preferred.Proficient with assistive technology for the blind and visually impaired preferred:
Examples: Braille embossers, Perkins Brailler, Braille notetakers, screen reader software, screen magnification software, CCTV and magnifiers, scanners, OCR, PDF editing, annotation apps, text to speech, and speech to text.
Proficient in creating tactile adaptations such as tactile images and graphs.Proficient in Cranmer abacus for math.Proficient in the use of tactile and low vision tools such as Braille rulers and protractors.Experience working with students who are blind or visually impaired.Experience working with students with cortical visual impairment.Experience using "Non-Violent Crisis Intervention" techniques and other behavior strategies.Experience working as a team member to solve problems and develop and implement quality programming.Exceptional knowledge and skills in working with student behavior management and instructional support.Experience in monitoring student health needs, distribution of student medication and implementation of student specialized care plan preferred.Experience working in a virtual online instructional setting.Demonstrated continuous learning as it relates to instructional and communication interventions.If required, ability to work in a virtual online instructional setting.Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
Braille/Nemeth transcription certification or relevant training preferred.
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Ability to read, analyze and comprehend instructions, professional journals, and correspondence.Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of educators, parents, students, and the general public.Ability to express self clearly, both orally and in writing.Ability to read, analyze, and interpret information.Ability to write clear, concise, objective notes regarding activities during the instructional day to third parties (families, outside agencies, others).High communication skills, including between teachers, school staff, TCVI, and COMS.
TECHNICAL SKILLS:
Ability to integrate technology into the everyday workflow if necessary.Ability to utilize District technology and work to maintain proficiency, as required skill sets change with technology and/or the needs of the district.Ability to use a personal computer (such as a PC or MAC) in a networked environment to utilize the Internet and other electronic communication mechanisms.Knowledge of productivity applications such as Microsoft Office and Google Suite (word processing, spreadsheets, database, and presentation software) is required.Ability to use online instructional tools and technology.Ability to follow data collection information to support functional behavioral assessment.Ability to accurately use district-wide electronic reporting systems for attendance, etc.Ability to use a copier and scanner to enlarge student work or make it electronic.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:
Ability to apply the concepts of basic math, algebra, and geometry consistent with the duties of this position.
REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.Exhibit high level of professionalism with the ability to handle confidential information, use good judgment, plan and handle complex projects and maintain a flexible attitude.Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed written or oral instructions.Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.Ability to use positive behavior support intervention techniques autonomously.Ability to make reasonable student focused decisions autonomously.Ability to implement various student plans simultaneously and report factually to the teacher.Ability to respond quickly to, and anticipate, emergent student needs.
Examples: translate unanticipated inaccessible documents, verbally describe visual documents presented in class, or last minute assignments from teachers.
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:
Ability to build rapport with others and to serve diverse publics.Ability to take the initiative, work well with others as a collaborative team member and exhibit good communication skills.Ability to work creatively and skillfully with students.Ability to demonstrate initiative and understanding in working with students, staff and parents/guardians.Organizational skills: Keep records, organized files, and other documents.Independent: Anticipate and respond to student needs without constant oversight.Problem solving: Generate solutions to problems as they arise.Time management: Able to independently complete tasks on time.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to person the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; swim; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee is regularly required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds such as books and teaching material or when assisting in student interventions. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distant vision and the ability to adjust focus. The ability to travel to other buildings is required. The position requires the individual to sometimes work irregular or extended work hours and meet multiple demands from several people.
The position requires the individual to have the ability to manage the physical and emotional needs of students in a positive, student-centered manner.
ENVIRONMENTAL ADAPTABILITY:The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is quiet to loud depending upon the activity in the particular part of the day. The employee is frequently required to interact with the public and other staff. The employee is directly responsible for the safety, well-being and work out-put of students. The employee is exposed to infections at a greater risk than the average person. Occasionally the employee may be required to be outdoors for a short period of time, and therefore subject to varying weather conditions, for purposes of accomplishing the essential functions of this job.
FUNCTIONS OF POSITION DESCRIPTION:This position description has been prepared to define the general duties of the position, provide examples of work and to detail the required knowledge, skills and ability as well as the acceptable experience and training for the position. The description is not intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the duties of employees under supervision. The WISD retains and reserves any and all rights to change, modify, amend, add to or delete from any portion of this description in its sole judgment.
This position description is not a contract for employment.
The WISD is an equal opportunity employer, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
TERMS:Position subject to terms, conditions, and calendar of the Master Agreement between the District and Unit I AFT Local 3760. Starting salary ranging (dependent upon experience) from $28,953 - $33,732.
Washtenaw Intermediate School District is a drug-free workplace.
The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substance in the workplace throughout his/her employment in the district.It is the policy and commitment of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, height, weight, familial status, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation or any legally protected characteristic, in its educational programs, activities, admissions, or employment policies in accordance with Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, executive order 11246 as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and all other pertinent state and Federal regulations.