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| The Educational Leadership Program ELP Class of 2013 . |
Advanced training for educators around the globe
The Educational Leadership Program offers advanced training to teachers and related professionals from around the world with the ultimate goal of strengthening services available in their respective organizations, communities and countries to children who are blind with multiple disabilities, including deafblindness.
This practice of teaching teachers goes back to 1920, when Perkins School for the Blind established a teacher training program for educators of children who were blind or deafblind. Partnering first with Harvard University, and later with Boston University and Boston College, Perkins provided training in instructional strategies and practical teaching experience. Gradually, Perkins assumed responsibility for all coursework and practicum experience. Today, the program continues that tradition of sharing advanced training, educational strategies and real-life experience with teachers and professionals from organizations around the globe. By imparting knowledge and skills, the Educational Leadership Program works to spread Perkins’ belief in the right of all children who are blind with additional disabilities to high quality educational services.
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| Ju from China gives a Perkins student a lesson in using chopsticks |
Hands-on Learning
There is no better place to learn best practices in the education of children who are blind and have additional disabilities than on Perkins’ 38-acre campus in Watertown, Massachusetts. Program participants attend lectures in Perkins' historic buildings, observe and teach in our classrooms and assist students in their residences for a unique training experience that provides a comprehensive understanding of education and services for students who are blind with additional disabilities, including those who are deafblind. Curriculum for all participants include academic courses led by Perkins’ experts and other noted professionals in the field, as well as hands-on learning in classrooms and living quarters, where they can put theory into practice.
The Program
Participants may choose a six- or nine-month program, both of which incorporate academic lectures and written projects, classroom observation and hands-on experiences with Perkins staff and students in residences and the classroom. Practicum is planned according to each participant’s individual interests and needs in areas including preschool and early intervention, deafblindness, multiple disabilities and elementary or secondary school age. Participants in the nine-month program spend three months in full-time practice teaching on campus. Participants also travel off campus to observe in public schools, audit university graduate courses or attend workshops and conferences. Participants are challenged to adapt and learn in a culture that may be different from their own, and to fully embrace the learning experience.
Qualifications
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| Mable shows off a beaded necklace her Ugandan students made from magazines while wearing a yellow Busuti or Gomesi – a traditional outfit from the Central region of Uganda |
Application to the Educational Leadership Program is a competitive process. We accept teachers, direct service providers, program administrators, university instructors and professionals who are committed to expanding their own knowledge and sharing it with their home organization. The program selects participants with the understanding that the organization for which they work supports their participation.
Preference will be given to applicants who:
Work as a specialist or team leader at an agency that provides direct services to children with blindness with additional disabilities or deafblindness, and have at least two years experience in the field
- Are involved in training teachers in the area of multiple disabilities, blindness and/or deafblindness
- Have adequate knowledge of the English language (speaking, reading and writing) to be able to understand lectures, discussions and written materials
- Have the support of their organizations to study at Perkins and to return to serve children who are deafblind or blind with additional disabilities at their respective agencies
Perkins welcomes qualified applicants without bias toward race, religion, gender or disability. Scholarship is available to qualified applicants on a needs basis.
If you would like more information, please contact Marianne Riggio, Program Supervisor, at Marianne.Riggio@Perkins.org
Meet the ELP Class of 2013
Click on the names and photos below to read profiles of the 2012-2013 Educational Leadership Program participants and learn about the programs around the world where they will share their expertise.
Junior, Haiti | Agatha, Brazil | Haoua, Burkina Faso |
Ruchi, India | Szilvia, Hungary | Sihua (Ju), China |
Fahmidah, S. Africa | Lacri, Romania | Mable, Uganda |
Miguel, Brazil | Nelly, Venezuela | Siriporn, Thailand |
Ester, Indonesia |