Learning & Behavior Specialist II
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Auditory/Oral Specialist
Listen to a message about the program (transcript below).
Hi, I'm Chris Clark a faculty member in the Low Vision/Blindness sequence at ISU. ISU has been preparing teachers to work with children with visual disabilities since 1952, and we take pride in making sure our teacher candidates gain a lot of hands-on experience with children and learn the most effective teaching strategies and methods. Each year we admit approximately 15 new students into the program; so, we are a small program but we are mighty! If you have a passion for teaching children, especially those with visual disabilities, are willing to work hard, and like the idea of being part of a cohort group that takes most of their course work in small classes, then ISU could be the right choice to you. Feel free to come to campus and check us out!
Teachers of children with visual impairments work with learners who are blind or who have low vision, from preschool through high school. There is a severe shortage of teachers in this area and most of our students do not have difficulty finding a job after they graduate.
The program at Illinois State is one of only 35 undergraduate and graduate programs nationwide. Our program is small and teacher candidates progress through the program as a cohort group, developing friendships and professional partnerships that last beyond graduation.
There are many unique aspects of the program, including the opportunity to live the senior year at a residential school for learners with low vision and blindness.
View the recommended schedule of courses for freshmen that leads to certification in the Low Vision and Blindness program.
View the recommended schedule of courses for transfer students to Illinois State that leads to certification in the Low Vision and Blindness program.
Professional Development Partnerships provide hands-on learning experiences for teacher candidates. All three undergraduate programs in the Special Education Department work with partnership schools to provide high-quality field experiences and student teaching. Participation with one of the partner schools is dependent on the teacher candidate's individual program. Students live at a residential school for a nominal fee and spend four days a week in a classroom of learners with visual impairments. There are two placements: one at a residential school and one at a public school (Partner Schools). The fifth day is spent attending ISU classes.
Students in this partnership program live at a residential school in Jacksonville, Illinois for a nominal fee and spend four days a week in a classroom of learners with visual impairments during the fall semester of their senior year.
Indianapolis, Indiana
Springfield, Illinois
Serving school districts in Sangamon, Menard, Macoupin and Cass Counties
