Blind Visually Impaired Teacher BVI (District Wide) (REVISED PAY 4/5)

Up to $10,000 Hiring and Retention Bonus Possible: through a grant from The Come Teach in Minnesota Program, licensed teachers who are American Indian or people of color and who move to Minnesota may be eligible for a hiring bonus of up to $5,000. A retention bonus equal to the hiring bonus may also apply. Learn more about this program here. St. Francis Public Schools is located in St. Francis, a northern suburb of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota.

Our mission is to equip all students with the knowledge and skills to empower them to achieve their dreams and full potential while becoming responsible citizens in a dynamic world.

Application Procedure: To be considered for this vacancy, applicant must complete the on-line application process and indicate interest in this specific job number.

Duty Days Per Year: 186 (prorated from start date)

Hours Per Day: 8

Type of Position: End of year with possibility of continuing contract

Salary: Per Teachers Work Agreement

Supervisor:  Bridget Brown, Program Supervisor

Position Description: St. Francis Area Schools is hiring a Blind Visually Impaired Teacher for the 2024-2025 school year to provide services for students district wide.

This low incidence area presents unique educational challenges and requires data based specialized instructional strategies.  This service provides identification, assessment, consultation, evaluation, inservice and direct and indirect instructional services for these students.  Consultation with teams that include administrators, school psychologists, teachers, interpreters, case managers, and parents/guardians.

Qualifications: Minnesota Teacher Licensure in Blind Visually Impaired

Job Duties:  

• Identification, Screening, and Evaluation
  • Complete initial evaluations and re-evaluations and assessments for students throughout the district (B-21).
  • Gather and review appropriate medical records as applicable.
  • Interpret results of assessments and perform assessments of vision loss on a student’s ability to learn.
• Service Delivery
  • Facilitate accommodations and modifications to educational materials, assistive technology, and the instructional environment.
  • Provide direct and indirect BVI services to students throughout the district.
  • Gather, monitor, review and communicate data to school staff, student and families.  Recommend programming or accommodations based on data.
  • Identify the need for, assist in the selection of, and provide work direction to interpreters when necessary.
• Consultation and Collaboration
  • Attend, provide input, and help determine appropriate accommodations, modifications, and supports.
  • Advise on the selection of specialized equipment and instructional materials/supplies when the need for Assistive Technology (AT) is identified.
  • Monitor the use of necessary equipment to ensure proper functioning as well as consistency and fidelity of use.
  • Maintain ongoing contact with parent to dialogue about child’s abilities, progress and future goals. 
  • Consult regularly with the classroom teacher, other regular and special education personnel, parents, and others to coordinate programs and services for students
• Professional Development
  • Provide ongoing training to educational teams in the areas of: use and care of specialized equipment and curriculum materials, use of accommodations and modifications, other BVI related topics.
  • Develop resources pertinent to BVI services.

District Information: St. Francis Area Schools – ISD #15 is located in northern Anoka County and southern Isanti County. We are a 45 minute drive from Minneapolis and a great traffic-free drive from every direction. We are a rural/suburban district, covering 165 square miles. Our buildings include an early childhood family center, three elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, and other non-traditional secondary programs. Our school district annually educates more than 4,100 students.

If you have questions about the position prior to applying, please contact Bridget Brown, Program Supervisor at 763-452-0247.

The policy of the school district is to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. The school district does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, sexual orientation, including gender identity or expression, age, family care leave status, or veteran status. The school district also makes reasonable accommodations for disabled employees.