2008-2009 Fellows: Nicole Johnson
“The best and most beautiful things in the world can not be seen or even touched. They must be felt within the heart”. (Helen Keller)
This quote has stayed in my mind since I started my journey to work with students with disabilities and visual impairments. My adventure started during my junior year in high school when I volunteered in the life skills room. The time I spent in this classroom was a precious. Each student has impacted my life in many different ways. I was able to spend time with a student who had a visual impairment and seeing all that he could do without the use of his vision amazed me.
I completed my undergraduate degree with a bachelors of science in education with emphasis in visual impairment at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania. After graduation I accepted a job working in an early childhood program teaching students with visual impairments. I felt honored to be involved in the infants’ life and helping families to adjust in having a child with a visual impairment.
During this time I encountered a student who had hearing and visual disabilities. When she started to communicate through sign language I was ecstatic and knew I wanted to learn more about how I could help this child. In August of 2007 I started working with school age students as a teacher of the blind and visually impaired. This was a completely different experience having previously only worked with infants. I learn something new each day while working within the school system.
Each student I work with touches my life in a different way. Last year a student that was totally blind expressed to me that being blind was part of who she was and she wouldn’t change it. She said although she can’t see with her eyes she can see through her heart. Her courage and attitude toward blindness fascinated me and made me want to learn more about what I could do to help the visually impaired community. There are many different types of disabilities and visual impairments and it has been a blessing working with these children. I continue to have the drive to enhance my knowledge and know I will be a lifelong learner.
I started the graduate program at Texas Tech University in September of 2007 majoring in special education with emphasis in orientation and mobility and dual sensory impairments. As I continue my education and career I will strive to help students achieve their goals despite their disability. It is an honor to be chosen as a Helen Keller Fellow and I look forward to learning more from other professionals and to share my experiences with teachers in the field. I would like to thank the Helen Keller Fellowship for giving me this great opportunity as well as my loving husband and family for their support and faith in me throughout my life.