Nancy French, the Floyd G. Hudson Award Winner for 2007

   Each year the Colorado Council for Learning Disabilities invites nominations for three awards for the Teacher, Paraeducator, and Professional of the Year, which are presented at the Odyssey Conference.  This year’s Professional of the Year award was presented to Dr. Nancy French and she was subsequently nominated to receive recognition as the Floyd G. Hudson Award Winner.

   Nancy’s career in special education began as a senior in high school when she assisted a teacher working with children having learning disabilities.  This teacher was a strong influence on Nancy’s future work because this educator believed 2 important things:  that all students can learn and that all students are entitled to a quality education designed to meet their needs.   From this experience, Nancy became a teacher at the elementary level and then in special education.  From there, she became a professional development specialist, a consultant for the Colorado Department of Education, a college professor, a researcher, and a prolific writer.

   For the past 22 years Nancy’s focus has been devoted primarily to the enhancement of paraeducator skills through the development of college credit coursework for paras.  Through her talents in developing curricula and writing grants, several thousand teachers, and more than 20,000 paras across the U.S. have benefited from the coursework in the areas of special education, math, literacy, English Language Acquisition and now Autism.  She has shared the training programs and materials with professionals and paras in 32 states and in the Department of Defense schools overseas. Nancy also worked diligently with the Council for Learning Disabilities as a West Regional Representative on the National Board and as the State President of the Colorado Council for Learning Disabilities. Nancy’s work has definitely impacted the instructional practices of teachers, paras, and, most importantly, the learning opportunities for children with disabilities.

           It is with great pleasure that the Colorado Council for Learning Disabilities recognizes Nancy French the 2007 Professional of the Year Award and nominated her as the Floyd G. Hudson Award recipient.

Purpose and Nature of Award
The Floyd G. Hudson Service Award is granted by the Council for Learning Disabilities for outstanding performance and commitment to individuals with learning disabilities by professionals who are not necessarily special education teachers. One professional is selected nationally. Winners receive a complimentary one-year membership in the Council for Learning Disabilities.

Selection Criteria
Nominees are judged based on the following criteria:

1. Extent and quality of professional service to the field of learning disabilities.
2. Exemplary service to the field of learning disabilities for a minimum of 5 years.

Review Process
One nominee is submitted to the Leadership Development Committee by local chapters. Final approval of nominations rests with the Leadership Development Committee with assistance from the CLD Executive Committee.

Application Procedure
All nominations must include:

1. A completed application form and related materials. Forms can be obtained from the national office, your local chapter president, or your regional representative.
2. A letter of nomination outlining the extent and quality of the nominee's professional contributions to the field of learning disabilities should include letters of support from colleagues, parents, students, etc. (self-nominations are accepted).
3. A two-page vita.

Submission Date and Place
Nomination materials should be sent by May 15th to:

Mary Provost
P. O. Box 2266
Mount Pleasant, SC 29465
913-491-1011 voice
913-491-1012 fax
mcprovost@bellsouth.net