1991 Distinguished Educator of Blind Children Award

1991 Distinguished Educator of Blind Children Award

Future Reflections Fall 1990, Vol. 9 No. 3
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1991 DISTINGUISHED EDUCATOR
OF BLIND CHILDREN AWARD
by Sharon Maneki
Editor's Note: Sharon Maneki is President of
the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland.
She also chairs the committee to select the Distinguished
Educator of Blind Children for 1991.
The National Federation of the Blind will recognize
an outstanding teacher of blind children at
our 1991 convention June 30 - July 6, in New
Orleans, Louisiana. The winner of the award will
receive an expense-paid trip to the convention, a
check for $50, an appropriate plaque at the banquet,
and an opportunity to make a presentation
about the education of blind children to the National
Federation of the Blind Parents of Blind
Children Division early in the convention.
Anyone who is currently teaching or counseling
blind children or administering a program for
blind children is eligible to receive this award. It
is not necessary to be a member of the National
Federation of the Blind to apply. However, the
winner must attend the national convention.
Teachers may be nominated by colleagues, supervisors,
or friends (including parents of blind
children). The letter of nomination should explain
why the teacher is being recommended for
this award.
The nominee must meet two additional requirements:
write a one-page letter describing his or
her beliefs and approach to teaching, and answer
the following ten questions:
1. List your degrees, the institutions from which they were received, and your major area or
areas of study.2. How long and in what programs have you taught blind children?3. In what setting do you teach? (Example: classroom in school for the blind, special education
classroom, itinerant program, etc.)4. How many students do you teach regularly this year? What subjects do you teach?5. How many of your students read and write primarily using: a) Braille, b) large print, c)
closed-circuit television, d) recorded materials,
e) small print?6. How many of your students use both print and Braille?7. At what age do you recommend that your students begin: a) reading Braille, b) writing with
a slate and stylus, c) writing with a Braille writer?8. At what age do you recommend your student
begin to learn independent cane travel?
9. How do you determine which children should learn cane travel and which children
should not?
10. a) At what age do you recommend that
students begin typing? b) When do you expect
them to be able to hand in typed assignments?
Send all materials by April 15, 1991, to: Sharon
Maneki, Chairman, Teacher Award Committee,
9736 Basket Ring Road, Columbia, Maryland
21045; telephone: (301) 992-9608.
The education of blind children is one of our
most important concerns. Attendance at a National
Federation of the Blind convention will
enrich a teacher's experience by affording the
opportunity to meet other teachers who work
with blind children, to meet parents, and to meet
blind adults who have had experiences in a
variety of educational programs. Help us recognize
a distinguished teacher by distributing this
announcement and encouraging teachers to submit
their applications. We are pleased to offer
this award and look forward to nominations from
many well-qualified educators.
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