Distinguished of Blind Children

Distinguished of Blind Children

Distinguished Educator of

Blind Children Award for 2000

by Sharon Maneki

Sharon Maneki

From the Editor: 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 2000.

The National Federation of

the Blind will recognize an outstanding teacher of blind children at our 2000 convention

July 2 through 8, in Atlanta, Georgia. The winner of this award will receive an

expense-paid trip to the convention, a check for $500, an appropriate plaque, and an

opportunity to make a presentation about the education of blind children to the National

Organization of Parents of Blind Children early in the convention.

Anyone who is currently teaching or counseling blind students 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

However, the winner must attend the National Convention. Teachers may be nominated by

colleagues, supervisors, or friends. The letter of nomination should explain why the

teacher is being recommended for this award.

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 him or her 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 form

and encouraging teachers to submit their credentials. We are pleased to offer this award

and look forward to applications from many well-qualified educators.

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND DISTINGUISHED

EDUCATOR

OF BLIND CHILDREN

AWARD 2000 APPLICATION

Name:

Home address:

City: State: Zip:

Day

phone: Evening

phone:

School:

Address:

City: State: Zip:

List your degrees, the institutions from which they were received, and your major area

or areas of study.

How long and in what programs have you worked with blind children?

In what setting do

you teach? residential school classroom

special education

classroom itinerant program

other, please explain.

How many students do you teach regularly this year?

What subjects do you teach?

How many of your students read and write primarily using:

Braille large print

closed circuit television

recorded materials

regular print

Please complete this application and attach the following: a letter of nomination from

someone who knows your work, one additional recommendation also from someone who knows you

professionally and knows your philosophy of teaching, and a letter from you discussing

your beliefs and approach to teaching blind students. You may wish to discuss topics like

the following:

What are your views on the importance to

your students of Braille, large print, and magnification devices; and what issues do you

consider when making recommendations about learning media for your students?

When do you recommend that your students

begin the following: reading Braille, writing with a slate and stylus, using a

Braillewriter, learning to travel independently with a white cane?

How should one determine which children

should learn cane travel and which should not?

When should typing be introduced, and when

should a child be expected to hand in typed assignments?

Send all material by May 15, 2000, to Sharon Maneki, Chairwoman, Teacher Award

Committee, 9736 Basket Ring Road, Columbia, Maryland 21045; telephone: (410) 992-9608.