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The nation is experiencing a shortage of vision teachers. Dr. Sakui Malakpa, professor and coordinator of the vision program in the Department of Early Childhood, Physical and Special Education at The University of Toledo has received a grant from The Ohio Department of Education to address this shortage throughout the State of Ohio. The goal is to increase the number and quality of teachers of the blind and visually impaired.
To achieve this goal, the project will:
- implement an innovative, multifaceted and research based approach to teacher preparation
- offer multilevel programs including summer and online courses
- combine theory and practicum experiences through a variety of delivery methods
- seek to enroll students with disabilities and those from underrepresented groupsEligibility for licensure:Bachelor’s degree and a license in General Education groups
Eligibility for licensure:
- Bachelor’s degree and a license in General Education
or - ateaching license in some area other than Vision in Special Education
The objective is to train eleven vision intervention specialists within a year. The grant will cover tuition and stipends for students as well as some provisions for job search assistance. Participants must agree to teach in Ohio for a two-year period or pay back any funding they received.
The program will work closely with area facilities, including The Ohio State University and Bowling Green State University. While the majority of vision courses are offered online, project participants are to visit the University of Toledo at least twice a semester for hands-on instruction.
Students or teachers interested in pursuing licensure in vision impairment should contact:
Dr. Sakui Malakpa
Professor of Education
Department of Early Childhood,
Physical and Special Education
The University
of Toledo
5024A Gillam Hall
2801 W. Bancroft Street
Toledo, OH 43606
Email: sakui.malakpa@utoledo.edu
Phone:
419-530-2047