Distinguished Educator of Blind Children Award for 2008

Distinguished Educator of Blind Children Award for 2008

Braille
Monitor
December 2007
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Distinguished Educator of Blind
Children Award for 2008
by Sharon Maneki

From
the Editor: Sharon Maneki chairs the committee to select the Distinguished
Educator of Blind Children for 2008.
The National Federation
of the Blind will recognize an outstanding teacher of blind children at our
2008 convention next July. The winner of this award will receive an expense-paid
trip to the convention, a check for $1,000, 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 take part in seminars and workshops on educational
issues, 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.
Please complete the application
and attach the following:

A letter
of nomination from someone (parent, coworker, supervisor, etc.) who knows
your work;

A letter
of recommendation 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.
In your letter you may wish to discuss topics such as the following:

What
are your views about when and how students should use Braille, large print,
tape recordings, readers, magnification devices, computers, electronic notetakers,
and other technology?

How
do you decide whether a child should use print, Braille, or both?

When
do you recommend that your students begin instruction in the use of a slate
and stylus, of a Braille writer?

How
do you determine which students should learn cane travel (and when) and
which should not?

When
should keyboarding be introduced?

When
should a child be expected to hand in print assignments independently?

National
Federation of the Blind
Distinguished Educator of Blind Children Award
2008 Application
Deadline: May 15, 2008
Name:_______________________________________________________
Home address:_________________________________________________
City:________________________________________________________
State, Zip:____________________________________________________
Phone: (H)____________________(W)____________________________
Email:______________________________________________________
School:______________________________________________________
Address:_____________________________________________________
City, State, Zip:_________________________________________________
Use a separate sheet
of paper and answer the following:

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 currently work?

Briefly
describe your current job and teaching responsibilities.

Describe
your current caseload (e.g., number of students, ages, multiple disabilities,
number of Braille-reading students).

Attach the three required
letters to this application, and send all material by May 15, 2008, to Sharon
Maneki, chairwoman, Teacher Award Committee, 9013 Nelson Way, Columbia, Maryland
21045; (410) 715-9596.

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