A Special Memorial

A Special Memorial

Doris Willoughby

A Special Memorial

by Doris M. Willoughby

From the Editor: Doris Willoughby is one of the

finest teachers of blind children in the country today. She is also a longtime member of

the National Federation of the Blind whose teaching philosophy has been shaped by her

experience as a Federationist. In the following little article she pays tribute to Dr.

Jernigan and makes an announcement of interest to everyone committed to effective

instruction for blind children. This is what she says:

Dr. Jernigan loved language. He taught grammar

and made it interesting. He enjoyed puns and other wordplay. His hundreds of speeches and

articles made him a truly great author and speaker.

I have been privileged to write a few articles

and books (often together with Sharon Monthei), but we did not compose them alone. The

National Federation of the Blind, with Dr. Jernigan's leadership, was always behind us.

Dr. Jernigan arranged the publication of the Handbook for Itinerant and Resource Teachers

of Blind and Visually Impaired Students. People constantly tell us how helpful this book

has been in a particular child's education.

For several years Sharon and I have been

working—under Dr.Jernigan's guidance—on another book that will fill a great

need. Modular Instruction for Independent Travel for Students Who Are Blind or Visually

Impaired: Preschool Through High School is designed as a flexible, practical guide for

teaching cane travel to students of preschool age through high school.

Why have we called it modular instruction?

Curriculum guides for various subjects often return to topics again and again. These may

be called cycles, threads, or strings. Each teacher selects activities for instruction, as

appropriate for various circumstances. Modular Instruction is organized by topics such as

"Compass Directions," "Back Yard Boundaries," and "Alternate

Routes Within a Building." It offers specific suggestions for activities and assumes

that the teacher or parent will select activities according to individual needs. Modular

Instruction went to press in late 1998. We hope that, by the time you read this article,

it will be available from the Materials Center, National Federation of the Blind, 1800

Johnson Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21230. It will have a dedication page at the front

reading, "In loving memory of Dr. Kenneth Jernigan, who inspired this book and

arranged its publication."