Las Vegas, Nevada (July 9, 2019): The National Federation of the Blind has presented its annual Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award to Adrienne Shoemaker of Concord, New Hampshire. Ms. Shoemaker, a teacher of blind students for ten years, is currently the only teacher of blind and low-vision students in the Concord public school system. In addition to her teaching of blind students, Ms. Shoemaker helped to develop a training course for teachers of blind and low-vision students at Granite State College and has taught the Braille courses that are part of the curriculum. She has also worked as the New Hampshire State Liaison between the New Hampshire Department of Education and the University of Massachusetts Northeast Regional Center for Vision Education, helping to recruit candidates to become teachers of blind students. Ms. Shoemaker received her master’s in special education from the University of Massachusetts, Boston in 2010 and her orientation and mobility certification in 2018. In 2014, she was one of ten teachers chosen to participate in the Stem2U program conducted by the National Federation of the Blind.

“Ms. Shoemaker’s colleagues and the parents of her students testify that she has high expectations for her students and is dedicated to helping them transform their dreams into reality,” said Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. “She is an effective advocate for Braille and is helping to train future teachers of blind students. These qualities, and her willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty in all respects, make her an ideal recipient of our Distinguished Educator of Blind Students award.”

The Distinguished Educator of Blind Students award carries with it a $1,000 cash prize and a trip to the National Federation of the Blind National Convention in Las Vegas. While at the convention, which is taking place July 7-12, Ms. Shoemaker will address hundreds of parents of blind students and network with other blind individuals and teachers of blind students.