Distinguished Educator Award 1999

Distinguished Educator Award 1999

Distinguished Educator of Blind Children Award for 1999

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 1999.

The National Federation of the Blind will recognize an outstanding teacher of blind

children at our 1999 convention June 30 to July 6, 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.

Marlena Bogden, a Most

Improved winner in the '98

Braille contest, receives her

award from Sharon Maneki.

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. Colleagues, supervisors, or friends may nominate teachers or

other eligible individuals. The letter of nomination should explain why the teacher is

being recommended for this award.

Amy Herstein of Maryland gets

ready for the 1999 contest.

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--1999 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?__________________________

How many students do you teach regularly this year?____

What subjects do you teach?___________________

In what setting do you teach? [ ] itinerant program

[ ] residential school [ ] special education classroom

other________________________________

How many of your students read and write primarily using: _____Braille _____large print

_____regular print

_____closed circuit television _____recorded materials

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 the following topics:

* 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 (keyboarding) be introduced, and when should a child be expected

to hand in typed assignments?

Send all material by May 15, 1999, to

Sharon Maneki, Chairwoman,

Teacher Award Committee

9736 Basket Ring Road

Columbia, Maryland 21045

telephone: (410) 992-9608.