Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI), Chattanooga in Chattanooga, Tennessee at Thrive Therapies Group

WHAT YOU'LL DO

As a Thrive TVI you will provide specialized instruction and support to students K12 with visual impairments including students who are blind, low vision, or deafblind within the school setting. You will evaluate functional vision and learning media, develop IEP goals targeting compensatory academic skills and expanded core curriculum (ECC) needs, and consult with school teams to ensure full educational access. You are a full member of the community.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

EVALUATION & ELIGIBILITY

• Conduct functional vision evaluations (FVEs) and learning media assessments (LMAs) to determine how a students visual impairment affects educational access and identify optimal learning media
• Assess expanded core curriculum (ECC) needs across all nine domains
• Write evaluation reports that are educationally relevant, legally defensible, and accessible to IEP team members and families
• Participate in eligibility determination meetings and translate functional vision findings for educational planning purposes

IEP DEVELOPMENT & DIRECT INSTRUCTION

• Develop individualized IEP goals targeting compensatory academic skills, braille literacy, assistive technology proficiency, and expanded core curriculum domains
• Provide direct instruction in braille (Unified English Braille), large print adaptation, and use of low vision devices as appropriate to each students visual profile
• Teach students to use assistive technology for visual access including screen readers (JAWS, NVDA), refreshable braille displays, magnification software, and video magnifiers
• Adapt and modify instructional materials in accessible formats (braille, large print, tactile graphics, digital accessible formats) for student use across all academic areas
• Maintain accurate, timely service logs and progress notes in compliance with state documentation requirements

COLLABORATION & CONSULTATION

• Consult with general and special education teachers on visual accommodations, classroom environmental modifications, and accessible instructional materials
• Coordinate with Orientation and Mobility (O&M) specialists on student travel training, environmental access, and ECC goal alignment
• Partner with school psychologists, SLPs, OTs, and special education teachers on integrated IEP teams
• Train paraprofessionals and classroom staff on supporting students with visual impairments
• Communicate with families about student vision needs and upcoming IEP decisions

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED

• Bachelors or masters degree in Visual Impairment Education or Special Education with a TVI specialization
• State certification or licensure as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI); ACVREP certification preferred or required by state
• Active state certification in good standing, or documented initiation of transfer prior to start date
• Proficiency in Unified English Braille (UEB); ACVREP Braille Literacy certification preferred
• Knowledge of IDEA, expanded core curriculum for students with visual impairments, and functional vision assessment methodology

PREFERRED

• 1+ years of TVI experience in a school-based setting
• Certification in Orientation and Mobility (COMS) dual-certified candidates strongly preferred
• Experience with deafblind students and multisensory impairment (MDVI) populations
• Familiarity with assistive technology for visual access

COMPENSATION STRUCTURE

Compensation is paid over 10 months, aligned to the school-year calendar. All figures below reflect the Greater Chattanooga, TN market.

Base Compensation

W-2 Base Salary

$58,000 $70,900,based on experience

A salary that reflects the expertise you bring. W-2 employment means full benefits, paid time off, retirement match, disability coverage, and malpractice insurance all on us. Your total compensation is built to reflect what this work is worth.

1099 Contractor Rate

$43-$53/hr/hr

If flexibility is what fits your life, we built that in. Our 1099 option puts you in control of how you work with a competitive hourly rate, full professional supports, and your career mobility fully intact.

Additional Earning Potential!

Sign-On Bonus

$6,000 paid 25% at 30 days,25% at 90 days,50% at 6 months

Our sign-on bonus is a signal: were committed to you from the moment you say yes, and we want you to feel that.

Longevity Structure

Up to $2,000 paid after completing your first full school year

Were building Thrive around the people who commit to this work and to each other over the long haul because thats who our kids and schools depend on. Every year you come back, we reward it. And it grows with you.

CEU Stipend

$750 your first year growing up to $2,000after five years

Your practice is the whole thing. The more you grow as a clinician, the better the care our kids get. We put real dollars behind your continuing education, and it grows with your tenure. Investing in your expertise is investing in our mission.

Performance Bonus

Paid annually afterexceeding performancemetrics

When you go above and beyond for students, we notice. Our performance bonus is how we say we see you, we value what youre doing, and this work matters.

BENEFITS OFFERINGS

HEALTH COVERAGE AT NO COST TO YOU (W-2 Employees Only)

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance Thrive covers 100% of employee premiums
• Coverage begins day one
• Choice of HSA-eligible high-deductible plan or traditional PPO; nationwide PPO network
• Dependent and family coverage available
• 401(k) with up to 5% company match
• Optional voluntary benefits: supplemental life, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and FSA

TIME OFF & SCHEDULE (W-2 Employees Only)

• School-year calendar school holidays off, amounting to 30+ paid days annually
• PTO and Sick days

ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS (All Employees)

• Malpractice and professional liability insurance fully covered by Thrive; no personal policy required
• Quarterly professional development led by clinical leadership school-based, substantive, and paid
• Paid Summer Intensive pre-year clinical PD that brings the full Thrive team together annually
• No non-compete agreement your professional mobility is yours to keep
• State TVI certification renewal and ACVREP dues reimbursed annually