Orientation & Mobility Teacher

Job Summary:
The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) - Georgia Academy for the Blind is recruiting for an Orientation and Mobility teacher.  Under general supervision, the Orientation and Mobility teacher will evaluate and provide support services to students with visual impairments to maximize their independent mobility and physical functioning in the home and community settings. Duties include but are not limited to:

Description of Duties:

• Evaluate and provide support services to students with visual impairments to maximize their independent mobility and physical functioning in the home and community settings
• Perform work associated with development of body image, laterality and directionality, spatial and environmental concepts, sensory training, basic concepts and skills, and orientation and mobility skills
• Instruction is provided on campus (indoors and outdoors), and in the surrounding community, including the student’s home residential area, during school hours and at night as needed
• Specific instruction including but not limited to guide techniques, direction-taking, squaring off, self-familiarization, upper and lower protective techniques, cane skills, street crossings, use of number systems, use of public transportation and use of optical aids will be provided based on each student’s individual needs
• Develop short and long-term goals and objectives for each student and plan specific learning tasks to help students achieve the goals and objectives
• Prepare schedules for O&M classes for all students identified as needing O&M instruction, evaluate O&M students to assess current levels, working with instructional staff to integrate classroom and O&M instruction and coordinate with staff to minimize disruptions to the students’ schedules
• Participate in and request staffing on students as necessary; maintain accurate and up to date records on students; and initiate and maintain contact with parents or guardians, including production of quarterly progress reports
• Coordinate effectively with other service staff in supporting school reform efforts, strategic planning, and contribute positively to co-curricular activities
• Participate in activities related to professional development and training or workshops as appropriate, to include leading in-service trainings for other staff
• Perform other appropriate duties as assigned

Preferred Qualifications:

Preference will be given to applicants who, in addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, possess one or more of the following:

• Master’s degree in orientation and mobility
• Possesses or be eligible to obtain Georgia teacher certification in the area of Special Education Adapted Curriculum (P-12) Consultative, Special Education General Curriculum (P-12) Consultative, and/or Special Education Vision Impairment (P-12) Consultative.
• Possess experience in Rehabilitation Counseling or Physical Therapy
• Have three years of experience teaching students with sensory impairment

Consideration/interviews will begin as soon as a list of applicants is established. Applications/resumes will be evaluated and only those meeting the qualifications may be forwarded to the hiring manager to be considered. Candidates chosen for interviews will be contacted directly. No notification will be sent to applicants except those who are selected for interviews.

It is the policy of the Georgia Department of Education not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, disability, or age in its employment practices.  The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) and each associated State School is a registered participant in the federal work authorization program commonly known as E-Verify. The GaDOE utilizes the program to verify employment eligibility of individuals hired on or after July 1, 2007.