Instruction for Students Who are Visually Impaired

First Children School offers specialized services for students who are blind or visually impaired.  We two full-time teachers of the visually impaired (TVI) on staff which has broadened our ability to provide individual and consultative sessions to our students registered with the Commission for the Blind.  In addition to providing support to our teachers and therapeutic staff regarding the selection, position and illumination of materials, our TVIs are able to assist with the design of classroom environments that are conducive for students with cortical and other visual impairments.

An eye gaze system has been introduced by our occupational therapy department in conjunction with our TVIs.  Our speech and language pathologists and physical therapists have also been involved with regard respectively to communication and positioning.  The eye gaze system offers training for looking, tracking, and activation, as well as other purposes such as communication.

Elizabeth Clark Elizabeth is a school supervisor and a teacher for the visually impaired (TVI) at First Children School.  She has been within the special education field for over ten years.  Elizabeth received her Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from New Jersey City University.   She earned a scholarship to receive a master’s in the arts of teaching with a concentration and certification in special education and early childhood development P-3 from New Jersey City University and a master’s in education with a teacher of the visually impaired certification from the College of New Jersey (TCNJ).  Elizabeth recently graduated from Seton Hall University’s Executive Cohort Program where she received her K-12 supervisor certification and Ed.S in executive leadership. She is also anticipating her Ed.D completion within Seton Hall University. Her area of research consist of establishing and implementing an instructional model for students who are multiply-disabled/blind & visually impaired.  She is a member of the Jersey City Rotarian Club Golden Door Chapter where she continues to serve the Hudson County Community and a Kappa Delta Pi national honor society member. Her philosophy is to become a voice of advocacy as means to provide educational services to all students who are blind/visually impaired and multiply-disabled as well as to inform families of their educational rights as a support measure geared towards their child’s success.

Rachael Schupak is a teacher of the blind and visually impaired (TVI) at First Children School.  In this role, she provides direct vision instructions to students, applies consultative measures with teachers for all material visual modifications and environmental adaptations, and adopts visual assessment driven reports during annual IEP meetings.  She received her early childhood education P-3 degree and reading endorsement/specialist from Rowan University and earned her master’s degree in TVI at Dominican College.  Miss Schupak is an enthusiastic practitioner of the visually impaired and a lifelong learner who continues to educate herself and others in the field of vision.