Each year, the Council of Schools and Services for the Blind (COSB) takes great pride in recognizing the exceptional contributions of educators, service providers, and support staff who dedicate themselves to the education and well-being of students who are blind or low-vision.

The COSB Leadership Awards, a highlight of the annual Leadership Institute, honor these outstanding individuals whose commitment and passion make a profound impact on the lives of their students.

 

2025

  • Outstanding Teacher of Students who are Blind with Additional Disabilities Award: Amanda Williams – Maryland School for the Blind
  • Outstanding Teacher of Students who are Blind Award: Kathryn Whitelock – Maryland School for the Blind
  • Outstanding Residential Life Staff Member Award: James Fain – TSBVI
  • Outstanding Related Service Provider Award: Lisa Auwarter – Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind
  • Outstanding Provider of Outreach Services Award: Annie Stockton – Washington State School for the Blind
  • Outstanding Paraprofessional Award: Yamal Said – TSBVI
  • Outstanding Director Award: Pam Parker – Washington State School for the Blind

 

2024

  • Outstanding Teacher of Students who are Blind with Additional Disabilities: Andrea Covelli – Perkins School for the Blind
  • Outstanding Teacher of Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired: Pat Wilber – Washington State School for the Blind
  • Outstanding Residential Life Staff Member: Cheryl Holmes – Perkins School for the Blind
  • Outstanding Related Service Provider: Kathleen Vaughn – Maryland School for the Blind
  • Outstanding Provider of Outreach Services: Meghan Fredel – Wisconsin
  • Outstanding Paraprofessional: Jeannie Kelly – Perkins School for the Blind
  • Outstanding Director: Adrian Amandi – California School for the Blind

 

2022

  • 2021-2022 COSB Leadership Fellows: Kirsten Connelly, Michelle Cormier, Ashley Emmons, Jerry Humphreys, Keith VanFossen
  • Outstanding Teacher of Students Who are Blind/Visually Impaired with Additional Disabilities: Scott Berglund
  • Outstanding Teacher of Students Who are Blind/Visually Impaired: Dori Senatori
  • Outstanding Residential Life Staff Member: Adrienne Fernandez
  • Outstanding Related Services Provider: Amanda Aaron
  • Outstanding Provider of Outreach Services: Cecilia Robinson
  • Outstanding Paraprofessional: Dontay Kelly
  • Bill English Award: Paul Olson

 

2021

  • Outstanding Teacher of Students who are Blind/Visually Impaired with Additional Disabilities: Julie Lemman – Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
  • Outstanding Teacher of Students who are Blind/Visually Impaired: Gina Fugate – The Maryland School for the Blind
  • Outstanding Residential Life Staff Member Award: Daniel Butler – Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
  • Outstanding Related Services Provider: Sara Reuss – Nebraska Center for the Education of the Blind
  • Outstanding Provider of Outreach Services: Jim Olson – Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind
  • Outstanding Paraprofessional: James Bristol – Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind

 

2020

  • Outstanding Teacher of Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired: Julie Vinikoor – Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind / Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
  • Outstanding Teacher of Students who are Blind/Multiply Impaired: Christie Holland – The Maryland School for the Blind
  • Outstanding Residential Life Staff Member: Tiayr Bradshaw – Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
  • Outstanding Paraprofessional: Lyne Hill – Kentucky School for the Blind
  • Outstanding Related Services Provider: Linda Hagood – Washington State School for the Blind
  • Outstanding Provider of Outreach Services: Chrissy Cowan – Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired