Career Opportunities in MD
Become a Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) or Orientation & Mobility Specialist in Maryland! As opportunities become available, they will be posted here! If you are interested in pursuing a degree and/or working in Maryland, please email conchita.hernandez@maryland.gov
Teacher from the NFB BELL Academy working with a student on braille reading.
What does a TVI do?
A TVI (Teacher of the Visually Impaired) or TBS (Teacher of Blind Students) is a professional teacher working with blind and low vision students to help them access Specially Designed Instruction (SDI). As a TVI, you would provide access to the general education curriculum, technology, braille, and other services. You would conduct assessments on students and report findings to IEP teams. The work typically involves working one-on-one with students at various schools.
If you choose this profession, you will always have a job and you will be doing meaningful work that makes a difference in the education of blind and low vision students.
Roles include: adapting classroom materials, interpreting eye reports, teaching braille, teaching use of technology, working in collaboration with IEP team members, collaborating with the general educator and working directly with blind and low vision students.
Orientation and mobility instructor working with a student. Student is using a cane. Image taken from Salus University.
What does an Orientation & Mobility specialist do?
An O and M (Orientation and Mobility Specialist) is a certified instructor who has received specialized training in teaching blind or low vision individuals how to travel independently in different environments. This includes teaching skills such as how to use a cane, how to understand crossing intersections and how to explore new environments.
If you choose this profession, you will be doing a lot of walking and being outdoors and will make a difference in the education of blind and low vision students.
Current posted job openings in Maryland
TVI in Montgomery County
Top 5 Reasons to be an MCPS TVI
Be part of a large, dynamic team of TVI and O&M professionals full of experience and expertise to share, serving children from birth through age 21
Work with a support team of braillists and paraeducators, sharing the responsibility of adapting student assignments, distributing materials, and supporting classroom accessibility
Participate in cutting edge professional development with national and local experts on critical topics such as CVI, technology, and assessment.
Access a low vision media center with a large inventory of current technologies and instructional materials to effectively meet the needs of students who are blind or visually impaired
Work in a school system with supervisory staff dedicated to advocating for YOU - for collegial support, for materials, for training, for the budget, and for enhancing your professional growth and experience!
Contact:
Dr. Susan Russell at susan_russell@mcpsmd.org
Dr. Elizabeth Nehrbass at elizabeth_a_nehrbass@mcpsmd.org
Or go to our website:
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/careers/
Orientation and Mobility Specialist in Saint Mary's county
Position: O and M Specialist
Description: This is a professional position to prepare students with visual impairments to travel independently and safely. Orientation and Mobility (O & M) is one of the nine areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) required to be evaluated for students with visual impairments.
Job Description in Saint Mary's
If interested contact Cheryl Raley: clraley@smcps.org
TVI in Anne Arundel
Position: TVI
Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Closing date: Until filled
Description: Provides instruction for Visually Impaired students by developing, selecting and modifying instructional plans and materials to meet the needs of students utilizing Braille, large print and technological devices. Nature of work includes supervising students in a variety of school-related settings; keeping attendance and grade records as required by Board Policy/Administrative Regulation; conferring with parents and students regarding progress/problems of assigned studies; arranging and participating in teacher-parent or teacher-student conferences as necessary. Attends and actively participates in staff/faculty meetings; and provides input regarding the planning of instructional goals, objectives and methods of students and their IEP’s. Frequent travel is required between multiple AACPS sites.
TVI in Baltimore County
Contact: Bronwyn Conoway: bconaway@bcps.org
Position: TVI
Baltimore County Public Schools
Closing date: Until filled
Description: Under the direction of the school principal and team leader for the visually impaired, plans and provides for appropriate learning experiences for students. Instructs and supervises students in a variety of school-related settings. Monitors and evaluates student outcomes. Performs other duties as assigned.
TVI in Prince George's County
Contact: Lisa Wright lisa.wright@pgcps.org
Position: TVI (2 positions)
Prince George's County Public Schools
Closing date: Until filled
Description: The Teacher of the Visually Impaired travels to the students' home, community environment or assigned schools to provide direct and/or indirect special education services relating to vision loss. These services are provided for students ranging in age from birth to 21, and may have only a visual impairment or additional disabilities. The cognitive levels of the students range from severely impaired to gifted and talented.
TVI in Frederick County
Contact: Jamie Fox Jamie.Fox@fcps.org
Position: TVI
Frederick County Public Schools
Closing date: Until filled
Description: The Itinerant Teacher of the Blind and Visually Impaired provides consultative and/or direct educational vision services to blind and visually impaired students from birth to 21 years of age and related staff. This teacher is responsible for teaching skills that will enable the student to function as independently as possible in the classroom, home, and community. Skills taught include compensatory academic skills incorporating communication and disability specific expanded core curriculum. The TBVI teacher functions as a member of the student’s IEP team and collaborates with school staff, parents, and other agencies.