[Nfbnet-members-list] Fwd: National Federation of the Blind Names Catherine E. Mendez 2012 Blind Educator of the Year

[David Andrews]

>
>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 Catherine E. Mendez
>2012 Blind Educator of the Year
>
>Dallas, Texas (July 2, 2012): The National Federation of the Blind 
>(NFB) has named Catherine E. Mendez, a teacher in the New York City 
>School District, as its 2012 Blind Educator of the Year.  Catherine 
>was presented with the award at the NFB's seventy-second annual 
>national convention, held at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas, Texas.
>
>Ms. Mendez has worked in education for over seven years.  She began 
>her teaching career by gaining admittance to the prestigious Teach 
>for America program in 2005.  Since her admission in the program, 
>Ms. Mendez has taught kindergarten at Public School 69 in Bronx, New 
>York, instructing up to twenty-five young students each year in all 
>academic subjects.
>
>Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, 
>said: "Catherine's exceptional work in the education field is proof 
>of our conviction that blind people can compete on terms of 
>equality.  Ms. Mendez has dedicated herself to educating the future 
>leaders of America and in so doing has become a leader and a role 
>model herself.  The National Federation of the Blind commends Ms. 
>Mendez for her outstanding professional accomplishments as well as 
>her commitment to dispelling misconceptions about the abilities of 
>blind people."
>
>Ms. Mendez received her bachelor's degree in linguistics and Asian 
>studies from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and her 
>master's degree in teaching from Pace University, in New York, New York.
>
>The Blind Educator of the Year Award carries with it a $1,000 
>prize.  While in Dallas, Ms. Mendez will address several hundred 
>people and have an opportunity to share the experiences and insights 
>that she has gained from being a blind educator.
>
>
># # #
>
>
>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.