Houston, Texas (July 4, 2023): The National Federation of the Blind has presented its annual Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award to Krystal Guillory, who serves blind students throughout Lincoln Parish, Louisiana. A teacher of blind students for over twenty years, Krystal credits her involvement in the National Federation of the Blind with dramatically increasing her effectiveness in inspiring and motivating her students. She also serves as coordinator for NFB BELL Academy in the state of Louisiana and is a board member of the Louisiana division of the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children. 

“Krystal Guillory has an outstanding track record of raising expectations for blind students and their families in Louisiana, both those whom she instructs directly and others throughout the state,” said Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. “She is an advocate for Braille literacy, early cane travel, and other critical blindness skills. She was instrumental in helping to create NFB BELL Academy In-Home Edition to serve blind students across the nation during the pandemic, and she enhances that program and other Braille literacy efforts across Louisiana and the United States. These qualities make her an outstanding recipient of our Distinguished Educator of Blind Students award.” 

The Distinguished Educator of Blind Students award carries with it a $1,000 cash prize and an opportunity to address hundreds of parents of blind students and network with other blind individuals and teachers of blind students at the 2023 National Convention of the National Federation of the Blind, which is taking place in Houston through July 6.