;
Lorem Ipsum Dolor Spring 2016
6
Dr. Amato is a teacher, a leader, and an advocate. She is a past winner of the CEC
Division on Visual Impairments Dissertation of the Year, Student of the Year, and Teacher of
the Year awards. She was also awarded the Council for Exceptional Children Clarissa Hug
Teacher of the Year award, the highest award bestowed to classroom special educators. She
served as an educator on Long Island for many years and has supported personnel preparation
of teachers of students with visual impairments as an adjunct faculty at multiple universities
across the nation. While she has succeeded as a superb educator, she distinguished herself
within the field as she served as the DVIQuarterly editor for 12 years. During that time, she
brought the publication to a new level of professionalism and accessibility.
In his letter of nomination, Bob Brasher of the American Printing House for the Blind
states, "'While they were saying among themselves it cannot be done, it was done.' I think of
this wonderful Helen Keller quote when I think of the tenacity and drive of Dr. Sheila Amato."
He goes on to state that "I sincerely believe that Sheila's impressive and varied career is
deserving of this prestigious recognition. From her early success as a teacher of students who
are deaf, to students with deaf-blindness, and then learning additional skills to teach students
who are blind, she has certainly shown her "get it done" attitude."
Dr. Penny Rosenblum, in her letter of support of the nomination, states that "Sheila is
truly deserving of this honor as she continually gives to the profession and goes above and
beyond in so many ways." In discussing her level of professionalism devoted to personnel
preparation, Dr. Rosenblum states "Again and again, I am impressed with the amount of time
and energy she puts into her courses, the high standards she sets for her students, and her
14
