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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland (NFBMD) presents the Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award to deserving educators at the NFBMD State Convention each winter.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>The 2027 NFBMD State Convention will take place February 11–14, 2027, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Baltimore North – Pikesville. The award will be presented at the convention banquet on Saturday, February 13, 2027.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>To qualify, nominees must be teachers, counselors, or administrators of programs for blind students in the state of Maryland.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>Nomination Deadline: December 16, 2026</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>Please complete and submit the <a href="https://nfbmd.org/form/2027-distinguished-educator-of-b">2027 Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Nomination Form</a> by December 16, 2026.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>For additional information, please contact:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>Teresa Graham<br>Email: <a href="mailto:teresagraham3@gmail.com">Teresagraham3@gmail.com</a><br>Phone: (443) 557-8696<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Ronza Othman, </b>President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Maryland<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>443-426-4110<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Pronouns: she, her, hers<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Need to meet with me? <a href="https://calendly.com/president-nfbmd/30min"><span style='color:blue'>Please use this link to schedule through Calendly</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>