[NFB_of_Georgia] Fw: [Nfbnet-members-list] Fw: National Federation of the Blind Names Janet Bernhardt 2016 Distinguished Educator of Blind Children

[Beverly]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Morey,Kristian via NFBNet-Members-List 
To: nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org 
Sent: Saturday, July 02, 2016 5:56 PM
Subject: [Nfbnet-members-list] Fw: National Federation of the Blind Names Janet Bernhardt 2016 Distinguished Educator of Blind Children



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 Janet Bernhardt 
2016 Distinguished Educator of Blind Children


 

Orlando, Florida (July 2, 2016): The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) has named Janet Bernhardt, an educational consultant at the Louisiana Center for the Blind, as its 2016 Distinguished Educator of Blind Children.  Ms. Bernhardt was presented with the award at the NFB's seventy-sixth annual National Convention, held at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel in Orlando, Florida.

 

Ms. Bernhardt started teaching blind preschoolers in 1977, and since then has worked with children of all ages. In her current role at the Louisiana Center for the Blind, her goal is to ensure that every blind student in Louisiana receives the quality education they deserve. She divides her time between helping blind students learn techniques for greater independence, and working with their teachers to encourage and develop a course curriculum suited to the needs of those blind students. Ms. Bernhardt also spends a significant amount of her time helping students and their teachers learn Braille because she believes it is an important skill to acquire on the path to independence. 

 

Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said, "Ms. Bernhardt has dedicated her career to ensuring that blind students are given the tools for independence and academic success, while also ensuring that their teachers possess the necessary methods for effective instruction. Ms. Bernhardt's dedication is exemplified in her advocacy for Braille instruction and her willingness to go above and beyond so that blind students all over the state of Louisiana are given the opportunity to succeed. The National Federation of the Blind commends Ms. Bernhardt for her unwavering commitment to the highest quality of education for blind children."

 

Ms. Bernhardt received a certification in education of the visually impaired from Florida State University, and a bachelor's in elementary education from Louisiana State University. She has also served internships at the William Feinbloom Vision Rehabilitation Center at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and the Lions Low Vision Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital. 

 

The Distinguished Educator Award carries with it a $1,000 prize and a trip to the 2016 NFB National Convention in Orlando.  While in Orlando, Ms. Bernhardt will address several hundred parents and educators of blind children and have an opportunity to share her experience and insights with many people interested in improving the education of blind students.

 


###


 

About the National Federation of the Blind

 

The National Federation of the Blind 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.

 




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


_______________________________________________
NFBNet-Members-List mailing list
NFBNet-Members-List at nfbnet.org
List archives:  <http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbnet-members-list_nfbnet.org>
To unsubscribe from NFBNet-Members-List:
goto http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbnet-members-list_nfbnet.org/hunt5052%40gmail.com