Three teachers from around the country received the Outstanding Teacher Award 2011. Below is a brief description of each teacher and their roles in special education.
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CLD is proud to recognize three outstanding teachers who consistently provide quality instruction to students with learning disabilities. These teachers, selected by local chapters, provide direct services to students. They are dedicated to implementing evidence-based instructional practices and collaborating with classroom teachers and other service providers to greatly improve the quality of education for all students who struggle academically.

2011 Colorado CLD Teacher of the Year Award Recipient -- Cheryl Cambra

Cheryl teaches special education at Englewood Middle School. She describes herself as a non-traditional student, having spent six years in the Air Force and raised a family before completing her education at the age of 41. Cheryl describes her role as a special education teacher in her personal statement:

A special education teacher wears many different hats: teaching life skills, behavior interventions, creating and implementing education plans, direct instruction, progress monitoring, teacher and parent collaboration. Most important is the relationship that I attempt to establish with parents and guardians. Phone calls home to inform a parent of something positive their child has done well can help pave the way to a more successful and cooperative school career for the student.

A parent writes about Cheryl’s relationship with her son, “[our son] is one of her first students who is legally blind and has a learning disability. [He] is a very tough case and needs a lot of extra support. If it wasn’t for her, we don’t know where we would be with [his] education. We can’t thank her enough.”
Cheryl’s dedication is seen in the letters of support written by her colleagues. Callan Clark, Director of Student Services, writes, “Cheryl embodies everything you imagine when you think of a child advocate. She is a determined teacher who believes all students can learn, grow, and achieve and she will continue to research best practices and interventions until she discovers what best supports her students.”

We are pleased to honor Cheryl with this award, and we want to thank her for her outstanding work on behalf of students with learning disabilities.

2011 Minnesota CLD Teacher of the Year Award Recipient - Kathy Meier

Kathy currently teaches at Mayer Lutheran High School in Mayer, Minnesota. She supports students in inclusion classes and also provides small-group instruction. Kathy teaches pre-algebra, combining content instruction with the understanding of individual student’s cognitive strengths. Using data analysis, evidence-based instructional strategies, and on-going progress monitoring, Kathy works closely with her general education counterpart to support students in Foundations of English. In addition to the support she provides within Tier 1 and 2, Kathy provides intense interventions within Tier 3 for students with learning disabilities.

“Within this smaller setting, I am better able to grasp a deeper understanding of my students and to develop a strong relationship with each individual. This small setting is a key component to helping students as I get to know them and gain their trust.”

Joel P. Landskroener, Kathy’s building administrator remarks, “Kathy is a shining example of a professional teacher. She is constantly learning how to connect with kids and takes her work very seriously. Kathy is a willing and able leader on our campus as she shares with all of us how to best serve those students with learning disabilities. Her work has given our school a well-earned reputation for being a place where all kids can learn and succeed. She provides much more than a quality classroom experience—she is a true champion for every young person away from the classroom as well. Her good-natured personality coupled with a deep love of learning is infectious.”

Congratulations, Kathy. It is an honor to recognize a CLD member who is making a difference in the lives of students.

2011 Texas CLD Teacher of the Year Award Recipient - Veronica Leigh Miller

The Texas CLD Chapter is honored to recognize Veronica Leigh Miller as the 2011 Teacher of the Year. Veronica graduated magna cum laude from the University of North Texas in 2007. Since that time, she has worked as a literacy interventionist at Ojeda Middle School in Austin. She is a certified Wilson Reading System teacher and received English as a Second Language certification from the Texas Department of Education.

Veronica is currently the lead teacher for the Reading Response to Intervention Department at her school. Mark Estrada, her principal, remarks, “Ms. Miller is a professional who is always looking for new knowledge and ways to improve her craft. She has created an atmosphere in her intervention classes that any teacher would be proud of.”

In a letter of support, a student described her journey through middle school, learning more each year and setting reading goals along the way. “In sixth grade I didn’t even know what the ‘ch’ said. Seventh grade I was getting better and better but it was not enough for me and my goals I wanted to achieve. Finally eighth grade came and I know the sounds and how to separate the words and what I love about this class is that I got to pass the real test of reading to go to ninth grade.”

Stephen Ciullo, project coordinator from the Meadows Center at the University of Austin, writes about Veronica’s ability to elicit high-levels of student engagement. He goes on to say, “Her professionalism, dedication to the students, and implementation of evidenced-based practices makes her worthy of receiving CLD’s Teacher of the Year Award.”
Congratulations to Veronica for her commitment to making a difference in the lives of students who have learning disabilities as well as all other students who struggle academically.

2011 CLD Teacher of the Year Award Recipients Web Article

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Purpose and Nature of Award
Each year, the Council for Learning Disabilities recognizes outstanding teachers who are CLD members and who consistently provide quality instruction to students with learning disabilities. These teachers, selected by local chapters, provide direct services to students. They are dedicated to implementing evidence-based instructional practices and collaborating with classroom teachers and other service providers to greatly improve the quality of education for all students who struggle academically.

Award Benefits
Recipients are guests at the annual international conference and receive a complimentary registration. During the conference-award program, they receive a certificate of recognition and an honorarium. These CLD members are also profiled in LD Forum and receive a one-year membership renewal.

Criteria for Nomination
• Be a member of CLD or join as part of the application process
• Provide direct services to students with learning disabilities
• Implement evidenced-based instructional practices that result in significant gains in achievement for children, adolescents or adults who struggle academically
• Advocate for persons with learning disabilities

Submission Date
Nomination materials should be sent by May 15th to Kyle Hughes, Leadership and Development Committee Chairperson Questions: kyle.hughes@yahoo.com