Join us in celebrating the accomplishments of the following outstanding educators!
Blindness/Visual Impairment |
| Cynthia Bachofer of
Nashville Tennessee has been teaching students who are blind or
visually impaired for 3 years. A graduate of Vanderbilt University,
Cynthia currently works for Providing Access to the Visual Environment
(Project PAVE). Cynthia is known for her ability to confront and
educate students and families about the psychosocial aspects of having
a visual impairment. Her tireless commitment to her students and their
families is remarkable. |
| Pascual Talamantes of
Chula Vista, California has been teaching students who are blind or
visually impaired for 38 years. A graduate of New Mexico State
University and San Francisco State University, Pascual currently works
in the Sweetwater Union High School District. Pascual is known for his
example of self-advocacy and his dedication to teaching his students
and their families what resources are available to them. With first
hand experience with blindness, he has set an unprecedented standard
that has paved a more accessible road for his students. |
Deaf/Hard of Hearing |
| Gayle Robbins of Salem,
Oregon has been working with students who are deafblind for 25 years. A
graduate of Lewis and Clark College, Gayle currently works as a
teacher/consultant for Regional services through Willamette Education
Service District. She also provides consultative support as a
representative for the Oregon Deafblind Project through the Oregon
Department of Education. Gayle is known for her exceptional leadership
and collaborative abilities, as well for as her dedication to every
child’s success. |
| Jane Schwartz of Wichita, Kansas, has been
teaching students who are deaf and hard of hearing for 28 years. A
graduate of Northwestern University and Kansas University, Jane
currently works as a teacher with Rainbows United, Inc. Jane is known
for her exceptional collaborative abilities as well as for her
knowledge and skill as an educator and for her dedication to all her
students. |
Significant Support Needs |
| Deborah Gill of Juneau,
Alaska has been teaching students with significant support needs for
the past 25 years. A graduate of the University of Alaska, she is
presently teaching in the area of severe needs at Harborview Elementary
School. Deb is well known for her inclusive teaching methods in the
classroom and advocating for the development and management of
individualized programs for a variety of special needs students.
Currently she manages seven different collaborative teams to provide
specialized programs for 11 students with low-incidence disabilities. |
| Deb Queeney of
Amherst, NH has been teaching students with significant support needs
for the past 18 years. A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with
a Master’s in Education, she is presently the inclusion specialist at
Milford Middle School. She is respected and well known among her
colleagues, parents, and students for her many innovative teaching
strategies, positive demeanor, and contagious enthusiasm. |