Graphics Program at The Ohio State School for the
Blind: An Interview
Karen Koehler, Teacher, The Ohio State School for the Blind,
kkoehler@ossb.oh.gov
Jeff Shaw, a vocational education teacher at the Ohio State School for
the Blind (OSSB), recently retired after 35 years of teaching and coaching
students with visual impairments. Jeff oversaw OSSB's graphics program,
which allows students the opportunity to create and sell a wide variety of
products including trophies, award plaques, name badges, and various
engraved items. This program has been wonderfully successful and has
given many students the opportunity to build necessary life skills including
teamwork, problem solving, math skills, self-discipline, work skills, critical
thinking, technology skills, and self-determination. The graphics program not
only helps students build important work skills, but it also gives the students a
sense of accomplishment as they see their work shipped to customers all
across the globe. Students have created and shipped products to many of
the U.S. states, as well as Spain, France, Portugal, Brazil and Japan. I
recently had the chance to sit down with Jeff to discuss the program, which he
helped develop and expand over his long career at OSSB.
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