Hi Tom;
I can't resist a smile over your request.  Based on my community, correcting
tests writing lesson plans writing tests would present challenges but be
very possible.  When I did my student teaching 30 years ago the big thing
was the black board.  Computers may solve many of the "old" problems.
Unfortunately, in my part of western NY, the real issue would be keeping
order.  You have to remember that as a professor most "young adults" are
spending money for the privilege of listening to your words of wisdom.  In
public school, particularly a inner city school, many kids are there because
someone pushed them in the door.  We have had issues at one local school
where an assistant principal was beaten by a group of students, and another
where a teacher was hit over the head with a chair in the cafeteria.
Apparently there was some long term memory loss.  More than just a bump on
the head.
Certainly blind people can teach, but you best have some assertiveness
training and help that teacher convey the impression that they aren't
putting up with any crap.
As it turned out, another job became available and after student teaching my
degree someone went to waste.
Rich
----- Original Message -----
From: "T Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, December 15, 2005 6:17 PM
Subject: Off Topic: inquiry on blind teachers in the public schools


Hello all.

I realize that this is way "off topic" but figured this list might be a good
start.

As most of you probably know, I am a blind University professor in Michigan.
Specifically, I teach Sociology at Ferris State University.

I have just been asked to serve on a panel that will be conducting a
workshop on disability-related concerns for our College of Education.  A
number of faculty in that college are interested in strategies or procedures
that a blind teacher might use to be successful in the public schools,
particularly the elementary schools.  Also, they are interested in what
"reasonable accommodations" a school district might need to make in order to
assist the teacher in performing his/her duties.

As a blind educator at the college level, I have a number of ideas along
these lines, but thought it'd be good to hear from anyone actually out there
in the public schools who is teaching with a visual impairment.

If you know of anyone I or the others on the panel might wish to contact,
please write me "off list" at:

[log in to unmask]

Thanks for accepting and reading this "off topic" inquiry, and again, please
reply to my personal address so others who are not interested don't have to
be bothered with this thread.

Best 73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ, Big Rapids, MI