Marva Collins
Diversity Award
Marva Collins made an impact on many children in Chicago
who had been labeled as disabled and unsuccessful. Her success with these
children stemmed from her desire to find the most effective teaching methods
and her belief that they could learn. The Marva Collins Diversity Award
honors a special education teacher who makes a significant impact in the
education of children and youths with Learning Disabilities from culturally
and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The award consists of a $200 stipend
and free registration to the DLD National Conference.
The Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Committee is pleased to announce Rosalind Simpson is the winner of the first ever Marva Collins Diversity Award!
Rosalind Simpson has been an elementary Special Education teacher (special day class, grades 4-6) in the West Contra Costa School District in Richmond California since 2000. From 1998-2000, she was a Resource Specialist in the Oakland Unified School District in Oakland, CA. From 1984-2000 she was an academic therapist in-home private practice. She has her MA in Special Education with an emphasis in reading from Holy Names College in Oakland, CA and she is a lecturer at Saint Mary's College in Moraga, CA.
In her letter of nomination, Yvonne Bui wrote
Ms. Simpson is an extraordinary special education teacher. Her positive energy and enthusiasm for teaching are contagious. Ms. Simpson's teaching style is unique, and she incorporates culturally responsive pedagogy into all of her lessons. For example, she teaches phonics and vocabulary words through movement and rhythmic chants.
In addition to core instruction, Ms. Simpson believes in teaching to the "whole" student. She engages her students in daily community-building activities where they learn to work collaboratively and value themselves and each other. Ms. Simpson also has high and consistent expectations for students' behaviors, and she fosters a safe and positive learning environment for her students. As a result, the students with disabilities blossom under her tutelage.
Currently she is a doctoral fellow for the Department of Learning & Instruction at the University of San Francisco.