Teacher Consultant - Blind/Low Vision

 

 

Ottawa Area Intermediate School District (OAISD) is seeking a collaborative, compassionate, and highly skilled Teacher Consultant for the Blind/Low Vision (TC-BLV) to join our Low Incidence Services Team.

 

The TC-BLV supports students who are blind or have low vision, from birth through age 26, across OAISD's member districts and programs. This position combines specialized expertise in blindness and low vision with a strong emphasis on collaborative teaming, consultation, coaching, and capacity building.

 

Our goal is not only to provide specialized support to individual students, but also to strengthen the knowledge, confidence, and practices of the educators and teams who support students every day. The TC-BLV works alongside students, families, teachers, related service providers, paraprofessionals, administrators, and other partners to increase student access, participation, independence, self-determination, and educational success.

Key Responsibilities

The Teacher Consultant for the Blind/Low Vision will:

• Conduct specialized assessments and evaluations related to functional vision, learning media, assistive technology, and other disability-specific needs.
• Collaborate with IEP teams to identify student needs and support appropriate educational planning, services, accommodations, and specially designed instruction.
• Provide consultation, coaching, modeling, and technical assistance to educators, paraprofessionals, related service providers, administrators, and other members of the student's educational team.
• Build the capacity of school teams to provide accessible instruction, materials, environments, technology, and learning opportunities throughout the student's educational day.
• Provide individualized B/LV-specific instruction when student needs require the specialized expertise of a Teacher Consultant for the Blind/Low Vision.
• Support shared-delivery approaches in which specialized B/LV expertise is combined with ongoing instruction, practice, reinforcement, and generalization provided by other members of the educational team.
• Support development of skills within the Expanded Core Curriculum, including learning media, braille and tactile literacy, assistive technology, sensory efficiency, independent living, self-determination, self-advocacy, and other areas based upon individual student need.
• Support the selection and effective use of accessible instructional materials, adaptive tools, learning media, and assistive technology.
• Collaborate closely with Orientation and Mobility Specialists and other related service providers to ensure coordinated and comprehensive student support.
• Provide professional learning, training, and resources to school teams and other partners.
• Maintain ongoing communication with students, families, constituent districts, OAISD staff, and other appropriate partners.
• Monitor student progress and the effectiveness of services and supports, adjusting recommendations in collaboration with educational teams as student needs and team capacity change.
• Support transitions across classrooms, programs, buildings, districts, postsecondary environments, employment, and community settings.
• Promote inclusive educational environments, student independence, self-advocacy, meaningful participation, and high expectations for students who are blind or have low vision.
• Maintain accurate and confidential documentation and participate actively in OAISD Low Incidence Services Team activities and continuous improvement efforts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Qualified candidates will have:

• Master's degree in Special Education, Visual Impairment Education, or a related special education field.
• Appropriate Michigan certification, endorsement, approval, or eligibility to provide educational services to students who are blind or have low vision and serve in a Teacher Consultant role.

• Knowledge of the educational implications of blindness and low vision, disability-specific assessment, the Expanded Core Curriculum, accessible instructional materials, learning media, and assistive technology.
• Proficiency in, or ability to develop proficiency in, Unified English Braille appropriate to assigned responsibilities.
• Strong communication, collaboration, consultation, coaching, problem-solving, organization, and time-management skills.
• Ability to develop positive working relationships with students, families, educators, related service providers, administrators, and community partners.
• Ability to provide individualized specialized instruction while also helping educational teams develop the skills and practices necessary to support students consistently across environments.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of interdisciplinary and cross-district teams while effectively managing responsibilities across multiple students, buildings, programs, and districts.
• Commitment to inclusive educational practices, student independence, self-determination, and continuous professional learning.
• Flexibility and adaptability in responding to changing student, team, district, and organizational needs.
• Ability to maintain professionalism and confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications:

 

Dual certification as a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments and Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS).

• Candidates who are not currently certified in Orientation and Mobility must be willing to seek COMS qualification within the first three years of employment or sooner, as determined by OAISD.

Physical Requirements: 

 

• Ability to move throughout school buildings and district facilities, including navigating multi-floor buildings and various classroom environments. 
• Ability to sit, stand, and move between workstations for extended periods during meetings, observations, and professional learning sessions. 
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry materials, equipment, or training resources up to 25 pounds with or without mechanical assistance.
• Ability to travel between district locations. 

Compensation and Details: 

• Pay: Salary range of $71,552-$89,440 commensurate with experience and qualifications. 
• Schedule: Full-time, 190 day schedule 
• Benefits: Full benefits package, including health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance. MPSERS provided retirement plan. 

Why This Role Matters

At OAISD, specialized expertise is most powerful when it strengthens both the student and the team surrounding the student. We are looking for a professional who enjoys working alongside others, sharing expertise, building relationships, solving problems collaboratively, and developing sustainable practices that increase access and opportunity for students who are blind or have low vision.

 

 

Notices: 

 

Job Description Changes: Job descriptions may be subject to change based on the OAISD’s needs.  This is meant to describe a basic overview of qualifications, role, and duties.  It is not an exhaustive or fully comprehensive list as other duties may be assigned. 

 

Ottawa Area Intermediate School District (OAISD) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, genetic information, or any other legally protected category (collectively “Protected Classes”), in its programs and activities, including employment. Civil Rights Coordinators are located at OAISD, 13663 Port Sheldon St. Holland, MI 49424 to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and grievance procedures.  Telephone (616) 738-8940 Ext: 4091.