2000 Blind Educator 2000 Award

2000 Blind Educator 2000 Award

The 2000 Blind Educator of

the Year Award

by Stephen O. Benson

From the Editor: Steve Benson is a member of the

Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind and President of the NFB of

Illinois. He also chairs the committee charged with identifying each year's Blind Educator

of the Year. Here is what he has to say:

Steve Benson

Several years ago the Blind Educator

of the Year Award was established by the National Association of Blind Educators

(the teachers division of the National Federation of the Blind) to pay

tribute to a blind

teacher whose exceptional classroom performance, notable community service,

and uncommon commitment to the NFB merit national recognition. Beginning

with the 1991 presentation, this award became an honor bestowed by our

entire movement. This

change reflects our recognition of the importance of good teaching and the

impact an outstanding blind teacher has on students, faculty, community,

and all blind Americans community, and all blind Americans.

This award is given in the spirit of the outstanding educators who founded and have

continued to nurture the National Federation of the Blind and who, by example, have

imparted knowledge of our strengths to us and raised our expectations. We have learned

from Dr. Jacobus tenBroek, Dr. Kenneth Jernigan, and President Marc Maurer that a teacher

not only provides a student with information, but also provides guidance and advocacy. The

recipient of the Blind Educator of the Year Award must exhibit all of these traits and

must advance the cause of blind people in the spirit and philosophy of the National

Federation of the Blind.

The Blind Educator of the Year Award is presented at the annual convention of the

National Federation of the Blind. Honorees must be present to receive an appropriately

inscribed plaque and a check for $500.

Nominations should be sent to Steve Benson, 7020 North Tahoma, Chicago, Illinois 60646.

Letters of nomination must be accompanied by a copy of the nominee's current resume and

supporting documentation of community and Federation activity. All nomination materials

must be in the hands of the committee chairman by May 15, 2000, to be considered for this

year's award.