Title - Teacher of Visually Impaired - Extended Summer Year (ESY)
Location - Multiple
Intro
Here at Questar III BOCES, we believe in changing lives, realizing dreams and doing together what can’t be done alone. Our vision is that of creating a student-centered culture and putting students first. Our core values include a commitment to excellence by honing our craftsmanship to deliver high-quality work, a commitment to leadership & service by moving the organization, departments and school districts forward by exceeding client expectations, and a commitment to innovation by creating programs and services to address client needs AND by continuously improving our programs and operations. We believe that organizational excellence is best achieved when leadership is reflective of our diverse society.
About the Job
Questar III BOCES announces a full-time (6-week summer program) Teacher for the Visually Impaired position to support Questar III special education students during ESY located at our following School Locations:
George Washington School (Troy)
Marilyn A. Noonan School (Durham)
Paul Puccio School at Maple Hill (Schodack)
Rensselaer Academy (Rensselaer)
Sackett Educational Center (Castleton-on-Hudson)
This position will provide academic support to students with visual impairments in the Questar III BOCES region. NYS Teacher Certification (or ability to become certified) of the Blind and Visually Impaired required. Preferred candidates will also hold Orientation and Mobility certification.
The TVI is a specialized educator who provides itinerant (traveling) or site-based support to students. Your mission is to provide the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC)—a set of skills that students with visual impairments need to be successful in school and beyond, which are not typically covered by general education.
Responsibilities
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Functional Vision & Media Assessments: Conduct Functional Vision Assessments (FVA) and Learning Media Assessments (LMA) to determine if a student needs Braille, large print, or digital audio.
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The Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC): Provide direct instruction in unique disability-specific areas, including:
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Compensatory skills (Braille, study skills).
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Social interaction skills.
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Independent living and career education.
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Assistive technology.
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Instructional Adaptation: Translate standard classroom materials into accessible formats (Braille, tactile graphics, or high-contrast digital files).
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Environment Consultation: Audit classrooms for lighting, glare, and physical layout to ensure safety and optimal visual access.
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IEP Leadership: Serve as the subject matter expert on the IEP team for all vision-related goals and accommodations.
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Collaboration: Work closely with Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Specialists to ensure students can move safely through the school building.
Extended Summer Year (ESY) Schedule is as follows:
- July 2, 2026 - Orientation Day - All Day
- July 7, 2026 - August 14, 2026 - 6 weeks
Requirement
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Special Education with an emphasis on Visual Impairment.
New York State Teaching Certification in Special Education – Visual Impairment (V.I. Endorsement).
Mastery of Unified English Braille (UEB) is mandatory.
Proficiency in assistive tech (screen readers like JAWS/NVDA, refreshable Braille displays, video magnifiers).
For more information on Questar III BOCES, please visit www.questar.org
Questar III prefers an online application, please click on APPLY below.