[Nfb-or] National Federation of the Blind Names Dr. DeanStenehjem 2011 Distinguished Educator of Blind Children

[Renee Squier]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Chris Danielsen
Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
cdanielsen at nfb.org

National Federation of the Blind Names Dr. Dean Stenehjem
2011 Distinguished Educator of Blind Children

Baltimore, Maryland (July 5, 2011): The National
Federation of the Blind (NFB) has named Dr. Dean
Stenehjem, the superintendent at the Washington
State School for the Blind, as its 2011
Distinguished Educator of Blind Children.  Dr.
Stenehjem was presented with the award at the
NFB's seventy-first annual national convention,
held at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel in Orlando, Florida.

Dr. Stenehjem has worked with blind students for
more than thirty-seven years.  He began working
with blind children as an instructor of the
visually impaired at Grand Forks Central High
School in North Dakota.  Since 1986, he has
worked at the Washington State School for the
Blind (WSSB), a renowned residential school for
the blind.  In his current role as superintendent
of the WSSB, Dr. Stenehjem oversees the education
of blind students from birth to twenty-one years
of age.  Under his leadership, WSSB established
the Ogden Resource Center, which provides Braille
textbooks to elementary- and secondary-school
blind students in Washington.  Dr. Stenehjem also
spearheaded the effort to make WSSB a pioneer in
adaptive technology-WSSB offers its students (and
any other blind persons in Washington) access to
and training in the latest in accessible technology.

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National
Federation of the Blind, said: "Dr. Stenehjem has
dedicated his career to ensuring that blind
students are given the tools for independence and
academic success.  Dr. Stenehjem's dedication is
exemplified in his work developing partnerships
with local school districts in Washington,
ensuring that all blind students, not just those
enrolled at WSSB, are given the opportunity to
succeed.  The National Federation of the Blind
commends Dr. Stenehjem for his unwavering
commitment to the education of blind students."

Dr. Stenehjem received his master of education
with a cognate in special education from the University of North Dakota.

The Distinguished Educator Award carries with it
a $1,000 prize and a trip to the 2011 NFB
National Convention in Orlando.  While in
Orlando, Dr. Stenehjem will address several
hundred parents and educators of blind children
and have an opportunity to share his experience
and insights with many people interested in
improving the education of blind students.

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About the National Federation of the Blind

With more than 50,000 members, the National
Federation of the Blind is the largest and most
influential membership organization of blind
people in the United States.   The NFB improves
blind people's lives through advocacy, education,
research, technology, and programs encouraging
independence and self-confidence.  It is the
leading force in the blindness field today and
the voice of the nation's blind.  In January 2004
the NFB opened the National Federation of the
Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and
training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.

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