CERTIFIED MASTERS TEACHER

Date: May 7, 2025

Req ID: 49198

Location:

Little Rock, AR, US, 72223

Category: SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND

Anticipated Starting Salary: 45009.95

Position Number: 2208-2574
County: Pulaski
Posting End Date: May 21, 2025
AR School for the Blind

Join the Arkansas Department of Education where each student is recognized as an individual. Through a cultivation of world-class educators, partnering with communities, and an influx of social supports, Arkansas Department of Education provides multi-level supports that help ensure students will receive a personalized education and develop a life-long love of learning.

Key Responsibilities:

Develop and implement lesson plans that align with state and national education standards, adapted for students with visual impairments.
Utilize Braille, large print, tactile graphics, and assistive technology to support student learning.
Foster a supportive and engaging classroom environment that encourages independence and confidence in students.
Collaborate with special education staff, orientation and mobility specialists, speech therapists, and other professionals to support student development.
Assess student progress and adapt instruction accordingly to meet individual learning needs.
Provide instruction in core subjects, as well as daily living skills, social skills, and self-advocacy.
Communicate effectively with parents and guardians, providing regular updates on student progress and needs.
Maintain accurate records of student achievements, IEP goals, and accommodations.
Participate in professional development opportunities to stay current with best practices in teaching students with visual impairments.

Qualifications & Requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Special Education, Elementary Education, or a related field.
Certification: Valid state teaching license; certification in Visual Impairments (TVI - Teacher of the Visually Impaired) preferred or willingness to obtain.
Experience: Prior experience working with visually impaired students is a plus but not required. Training will be provided.

Skills:

Proficiency in Braille or willingness to learn.
Knowledge of assistive technologies such as screen readers, refreshable Braille displays, and magnification software.
Strong communication and collaboration skills.
Patience, creativity, and adaptability to meet the diverse needs of students.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and accommodations for visually impaired students.
Familiarity with Orientation and Mobility (O&M) principles.
Training in Unified English Braille (UEB).
Knowledge of tactile learning methods and adaptive classroom strategies.

Position Information

Class Code: E035C

Grade: GS08

FLSA Status: EXEMPT

Salary Range: $45,010.00 - $71,792.00

Summary

The Certified Masters Teacher is responsible for teaching academic subjects to deaf, blind, or vision or hearing-impaired students. This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency/institution policy.

Functions

Evaluates sensory impaired students' strengths and weaknesses based on medical, psychosocial and academic achievement tests, teacher assessments, and observation of students. Writes or advises others in preparing Individualized Education Plans (IEP's) to establish individual achievement goals for each student. Develops lesson plans for reaching IEP goals and complying with curriculum guidelines. Creates or modifies teaching materials and learning aids for sensory impaired students. Utilizes specialized instructional methods, including sign language or Braille, to teach classes. Evaluates student progress through written work, observation, testing, and oral feedback and completes reports on student achievement. Meets with students, parents, and/or other staff to discuss student goals, progress, and/or problems. Presents in-service training and workshops on the education of the sensory impaired. Provides technical assistance and consultation to other staff, including teachers, speech pathologists, interpreters, counselors, and school administrators, regarding curricula, materials, and the identification and assessment of the sensory impaired. Performs other duties as assigned.

Dimensions

None

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of the subject matter being taught. Knowledge of educational planning and the principles and techniques of teaching sensory-impaired persons. Knowledge of learning aids and teaching materials appropriate to the subject matter and student's impairment. Ability to develop and teach individualized achievement goals based upon various tests and evaluation results. Ability to evaluate students' progress and revise IEP's and lesson plans. Ability to interact with others to inform or discuss and resolve problems. Ability to provide advice and guidance relative to the education of the sensory impaired. Ability to teach communication systems, such as Braille or sign language, required for instructing the sensory impaired.

Minimum Qualifications

The formal education equivalent of a master's degree in a teaching area or education related field; plus certification from the Arkansas Department of Education, in accordance with ACA 6-17-401, 6-17-402, and 6-17-403. Additional requirements determined by the agency for recruiting purposes require review and approval by the Office of Personnel Management. OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.

Licenses

None

The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.