By Staff
OUTSTANDING TEACHER n Belinda Ott, a special education teacher at Northeast Elementary School, was honored by the Shaklee Institute as one of the best 10 special education teachers in the country. Photo by Carisa McCain/The Meridian Star
By Penny Randall/The Meridian Star
June 21, 2001
Northeast Elementary School teacher Belinda Bennett Ott is one of 10 teachers in the United States receiving a 2001 Shaklee Award recognizing outstanding teachers of children with disabilities.
Employed with the Lauderdale County School System for 12 years, she has taught children with disabilities for more than 30 years. She ventured into the special education field at the suggestion of one of her college instructors.
Judging criteria
The 10 recipients were selected based on specific student outcomes, professional knowledge and teaching practices. She will receive a $1,000 monetary award and travel to Wichita to attend a four-day session headed by Shaklee Institute scholars.
Ott holds a bachelor's degree from Mississippi University for Women, a master's degree from Mississippi State University and a doctorate from the University of Southern, all in special education. She and her husband, Eddie, reside in Quitman.
Background information
The Shaklee Institute, sponsored by Heartspring School in Wichita, was formed in 1995 to bring together a distinguished group of scholars in a collaborative effort to improve special education.
Its mission is to initiate positive change in the education of children with disabilities by improving professional practice and influencing public policy. A primary objective is to increase awareness of exemplary leadership and professional practice in special education. One method of accomplishing this task is the creation of the Shaklee Teacher Award.
The Summer Session is sponsored in part by Sigma Alpha Sorority, a national businesswomen's organization with more than 800 members.
Penny Randall is an editorial assistant at The Meridian Star. E-mail her at prandall@themeridianstar.com or call her at 693-1551, ext. 3216.