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