Educator Award

Educator Award

Sharon Maneki

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 7, 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 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

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?

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, 1999, to Sharon Maneki,

Chairwoman, Teacher Award Committee, 9736 Basket Ring Road,

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

**********