Distinguished Educator Award 1998

Distinguished Educator Award 1998

The Braille Monitor_______December

1997

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Sharon Maneki

Distinguished Educator

of Blind Children Award for 1998

by 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 1998.

The National Federation of the Blind

will recognize an outstanding teacher of blind children at our 1998 convention

July 4 to 11 in Dallas, Texas. 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 to apply. 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

1998 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 Braille writer, 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, 1998, to

Sharon Maneki, Chairwoman, Teacher Award Committee, 9736 Basket Ring Road, Columbia,

Maryland 21045; telephone: (410) 992-9608.