District - Itinerant Teacher of the Visually Impaired / Orientation & Mobility Specialist

What Deerfield 109 is All About...

The Role of the Itinerant Teacher of the Visually Impaired / Orientation & Mobility Specialist in Deerfield 109

DEERFIELD 109 - MISSION
Where challenging experiences foster confidence, collaborative relationships build community, and creative environments ignite curiosity.

DEERFIELD 109 - VISION
We will develop each student to be emotionally resilient, socially skilled, and academically prepared by forging connections within, across, and beyond our classrooms, and by embracing each student's uniqueness.

GENERAL INFORMATION
TITLE: District - Itinerant Teacher of the Visually Impaired / Orientation & Mobility Specialist
DEPARTMENT: Student Services
LICENSURE: IL Professional Educator License (PEL) or Licensure in Orientation and Mobility
ENDORSEMENT: Teacher of Students Who Are Visually Impaired
CLASSIFICATION: At Will
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt
REPORTS TO: Director of Student Services
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: N/A
PRIOR EXPERIENCE: Successful internship
EVALUATION: Evaluated by the Director of Student Services and/or Building Level Administration using the agreed upon evaluation tool.
DATES: 2026-2027
AVAILABILITY: One (1.0 FTE) Position(s)/Full-Time
PLACEMENT: District Assignment
WORK CALENDAR: Teacher

POSITION SUMMARY: The district is seeking a full time Itinerant Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) / Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Specialist who provides specialized instruction and consultative services to students with visual impairments across district schools. The itinerant teacher will collaborate with families, general and special education staff, and related service providers to support student access, independence, and academic success in inclusive educational settings.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide direct and consultative instructional services to students with visual impairments, including those with additional disabilities.
• Deliver Orientation & Mobility instruction to support safe, independent travel within school and community.
• Conduct functional vision assessments, learning media assessments, and O&M evaluations.
• Develop, implement, and monitor IEP goals aligned with Illinois Learning Standards and IDEA requirements.
• Knowledge of specialized instructional areas including braille instruction, assistive technology, sensory efficiency, expanded core curriculum (ECC), and orientation and mobility skills.
• Collaborate with classroom teachers, related service providers, administrators, and families.
• Provide staff training and consultation regarding visual impairments, accommodations, and accessibility.
• Maintain accurate documentation and compliance with Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) requirements.
• Travel between school sites as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• IL Professional Educators License (PEL) with an endorsement for a Teacher of Students Who Are Visually Impaired.
• Licensure in Orientation and Mobility is preferred.
• Knowledge of IDEA, IEP development, and service delivery models for students with visual impairments.
• Valid Illinois driver's license and ability to travel between buildings.

MENTAL DEMANDS
Knowledge
The employee must have foundational knowledge of the educational implications of visual impairment across early childhood, elementary, middle, and secondary levels. Knowledge of K-12 curriculum standards, instructional modifications, and accommodations for students who are blind or visually impaired. Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices and behavior supports for diverse learners.

Ability
Ability to deliver individualized and small-group instruction in general education classrooms, special education settings, and community environments; manage a diverse itinerant caseload across multiple school sites while maintaining accurate documentation and timelines; ability to collaborate effectively with general education teachers, special educators, administrators, related service providers, and families; ability to maintain sustained attention, sound judgement, and mental flexibility in dynamic school environments; comfortable knowledge of universal procedures and ability to teach this to others; good oral and written communication skills; basic computer skills; willing attitude to be a part of the school team; strong sense of professionalism; other skills and requirements expected by the school administrators include management and organizational ability, common sense, motivation, positive attitude; and the ability/willingness to participate in ongoing professional and staff development, both independently and through system-offered opportunities.

Education/Preparation
Possess the minimum of a Bachelor's degree; Master's degree in Visual Impairments, Orientation & Mobility, or related field preferred or required. Completion of a state-approved or nationally accredited TVI and/or O&M preparation program. Preparation to provide services in compliance with district policies, state regulations, and federal special education law.

Reasoning
The employee must have the ability to solve practical problems in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret instructions provided through written and oral form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Requires standing, sitting, repetitious hand and body movements, simple grasping, pushing pulling, fine motor and gross motor skills, bending, lifting, squatting, kneeling, climbing, and reaching. Ability to lift students as required and has the stamina to stand all day, every day of the week as needed.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The employee shall possess personal computing skills with the following types of software including web browsers, word processing, spreadsheet, and student information systems. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in a classroom setting with children, occasionally works in outdoor weather conditions, and is subject to noises associated with both office and educational environments. Itinerant position serving students across multiple schools, travel between buildings required, flexible scheduling based on student needs and service minutes.

The mental demands, physical demands, and work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow an employee with disabilities to perform the essential functions.