Dennis Gerald & Claire Loder McGough Professional Achievement Award


Description

Cash awards of $750 to $2,000 are issued to persons who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement by expanding the knowledge base for the education and treatment of children who are blind, including those having multiple disabilities.

Award categories:

Examples of contributions to the education and treatment of members of this population that will be considered for award:

  • Publication of original material in professional journals
  • Presentation of new findings at professional conferences
  • Development of innovative techniques, methodologies or approaches
  • Innovation in personnel development strategies and applications

Eligibility:

Any education employee or team of education employees within the state of Maryland is eligible to receive an award, provided the contribution being recognized is considered above and beyond the specific definition and expectations of their job. The achievement being recognized by the award must have been realized during or prior to the year for which it is issued.

School or education department executive employees (those having appointing authority) are not eligible for this award.

The number and size of awards to be issued each year is decided by a DGM/CLM  selection panel. Each year the selection panel will consider the nature, quality, and significance of the achievements that have been nominated and the funds available to guide these decisions.

These awards are intended to recognize and honor professionals who have demonstrated outstanding and significant commitment and achievement toward improving the education and treatment of children who are blind, including those with multiple disabilities. Awards will be presented at the DC/MD AER annual conference.

The selection panel is made up of a member of the McGough family, a member of MSB’s Board of Directors, a member of MSB’s senior management staff, and a member of the vision education professional community.

For award consideration in a current year, nominations must be received online by the posted deadline.


Nomination Form:

Claire Loder McGough and Dennis Gerald McGough Professional Achievement Award

The award recognizes education employees who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement by expanding the knowledge base for the education and treatment of children who are blind, including those having multiple disabilities.

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Nominators Name*
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Name of Nominee*
The nomination should be in narrative form, and should address the following points: · What is the achievement to be recognized? · What has been the significance of the achievement for the field of blindness education? · What long term impact can be expected from the achievement? · In addition to children, who will benefit from the achievement, and how?
Nominations must be accompanied by a minimum of three letters of support that verify the significance of the achievement.
Max. file size: 32 MB.
Nominations must be accompanied by a minimum of three letters of support that verify the significance of the achievement.
Max. file size: 32 MB.
Nominations must be accompanied by a minimum of three letters of support that verify the significance of the achievement.
Max. file size: 32 MB.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

 Dennis Gerald and Claire Loder McGough Professional Achievement Award Past Recipients:

YearAchievement RecognizedAward AmountAward Category
1999Assistive Technology Innovations$500Presentation of new findings at professional conferences
2000Classroom Structuring: Adapting TEACCH Principles for Blind Autistic Students$1,000 Presentation of new findings at professional conferences
2001Treatment Programming for Blind Autistic Children$1,000 each(2 winners)Presentation of new findings at professional conferences
2002Environmental ModificationsProcedural Standards and Structure$1,000Presentation of new findings at professional conferences
2002Emerging Literacy Library$1,000Presentation of new findings at professional conferences
2003Placement of Blind Academic Students in Local Middle School and Structuring a Support Network to Assure Success$1,000Development of innovative techniques, methodologies or approaches
2004Visionary Leadership of Career Education Program$1,000Development of innovative techniques, methodologies, or approaches
2005Conference Presentations of Career Education Strategies (2004 award continued)$500Presentation of new findings at professional conferences
2005Independent Living Program for Blind Young Adults$1,000Development of innovative techniques, methodologies, or approaches 
2006Leadership Training Curriculum$750Innovation in personnel development strategies and applications  
2007Student Wellness Program$1,500Presentation of innovative strategies and methodologies around Maryland
2008Published chapter on O&M services to persons having multiple disabilities – in the next edition of Foundations of Orientation and Mobility$2,000 Publication
2008Published chapter on O&M services to persons having multiple disabilities – in the next edition of Foundations of Orientation and Mobility$2,000Publication
2010Early Childhood Curriculum website development VICurriculim.org$1,000 each(2 winners)Development of innovative techniques, methodologies, or approaches
2014Pioneering Robotics as an educational strategy$1,000 each(2 winners)Development of innovative techniques, methodologies, or approaches
2015Creation of Expanded Core Curriculum (hygiene, food management, clothing management) and corresponding training program for staff implementing curriculum$1,000Development of innovative techniques, methodologies, or approaches
2016Creation of instructional technology skills inventory –scope and sequence for both low vision and braille usersCreation of a state-wide technology lending library $1,000Development of innovative techniques, methodologies, or approaches
2020(presented in 2022, due to pandemic)Creation of Lego League / Competitions$1000Development of innovative techniques, methodologies, or approaches