Students and teach-
ers know that Jonas is
working when his
leash is on. But, Drew
has created an incen-
tive to encourage stu-
dents to be more con-
sistent with their cane
use. They can pet Jo-
nas all they want if
they use their canes
properly.
On January 16th, the
LA School for the Deaf
student-body was invit-
ed to an assembly
where they met Drew
and Jonas. Having lost
his vision just six years
ago, he shared with
them how he has
adapted. While walk-
ing with Jonas, a GPS
system guides him. He
uses public buses, tax-
is, and/or vans for
people with special
needs. To read labels,
identify objects, and to
know colors he uses
phone apps.
Drew will graduate in
May. He plans to work
in the field of O & M
and also become certi-
fied in APE (Adapted
Physical Education).” I
have been guiding stu-
dents to advocate for
themselves when
shopping so the clerks
will talk to them as
they would as if the
student had sight,
too.” Students at LSVI
are enjoying this new
venture with Drew and
Jonas!. They are quite
a team!
NEW DOG IN TOWN
TROJAN TALK January 2015 Vol. IV, Issue 6
FEBRUARY 11TH
Braille Trivia:
Who was the first
young man to
have a seeing
eye dog guide?
What was his
dog’s name, origi-
nally?
Email answers to
Many on the LSDVI
campus have noticed
a new dog in town.
With the dog, Jonas, is
a person whose name
is Drew Bernet. They
are living in the duplex
on the LSDVI campus.
He cooks, shops, and
travels just as he does
back in Texas where
he is a student at Ste-
phen F. Austin. While
here, he is shadowing
Mary Van Antwerp, Ori-
entation and Mobility
(O&M) instructor.
“When he is shadow-
ing me, Drew uses his
cane and Jonas is on a
leash. I am getting tips
from him how a blind
instructor teaches an-
other who is blind.”
Drew
working
with Troy
on cane
travel
Prior to entering the educa-
tion field as a vocation, Brandy
Washington worked as a bank
teller and later in the casino
industry. Neither job was ful-
filling for her. Later after
achieving her college degree,
she was working as a teacher’s
assistant. “I realized I was do-
ing a lot of work [and though] I
was receiving recognition, I
wasn’t being compensated.”
While working in a school sys-
tem in Texas, she ‘found my
niche, but needed formal train-
ing.”
Mrs. Washington became a
certified teacher. She taught in
Tensas Parish, the Natchez Ad-
ams School District in Missis-
sippi and most recently at the
Jetson Center for Youth near
Zachary, Louisiana.
When asked about her favor-
ite part of teaching, she re-
plied, “ ...when students have
‘ah-ha’ moments. Nothing can
compare to helping students
make connections to class-
room skills and witnessing
when they know they have
learned a skill. It is a proud mo-
ment for both of us!”
Mrs. Washington is married to
her high school sweetheart and
they have three sons, ages six-
teen, thirteen, and three. She
enjoys cooking, watching drag
racing, playing board games,
and hosting parties.
Her life-motto is: “Today I shall
behave as if this is the day I will
be remembered.”—Dr. Seuss.
Hats off to Mrs. Washington
for guiding her students to their
“ah-ha” moments.
Page 2
OFF-CAMPUS ATHLETES
Volume 1, Issue 1
Congratulations, TEACHER OF THE YEAR: Brandy Washington
First place free-throw winner, Austin Dugas with
Knights of Columbus 13632 members: Dr.
Thomas Oswald, Mr. Edward White, and Dr. Irby
Dupont
Fourth place winner,
Gianni Toce, in the
113 weight class .on
January 17th.
Rayne High School
held an open tourna-
ment for students
with disabilities to
compete in wrestling.
Both teens are sports
enthusiasts and enjoy com-
peting whenever and wher-
ever they have the oppor-
tunity. Austin is a seventh
grader and Gianni, a ninth
grader at LSVI. They play
fall baseball with a local
Baton Rouge organization
called Miracle League.
Austin and Gianni are also
involved with LSVI team
activities of wrestling,
track, and drum line.
LSVI is proud of both ath-
letes on and off-campus!
Mrs. Washington
with students,
Allie Turner &
Josiah Singleton
LSVI’s Outreach Department
headed up by Blanche Faulk
sponsored the fourth annual
low-vision workshop for teach-
ers of the visually impaired
(TVIs), who work with students
within the public schools
across the state.
Seventy participants gath-
ered to network and gain infor-
mation about tools to enhance
student learning. Consultants
in the field who spoke during
the day were Shane Neal and
Meg Wilson of Apple, Kathy
Foster with Enhanced Vision,
and Chip Farrington and Mi-
chael Elliott, Emerald Coast
Low Vision Aids.
Vendors and consultants
presented items for teachers to
take or sample. Those present
were: LA Lighthouse for the
Blind, LA Library, LA Council for
the Blind, Affiliated Blind of
Louisiana, Families Helping
Families and Southern Assis-
tive Technology. LSVI’s braille
instructor, Anna Gayle, and
school counselor, Jennifer Tra-
han, shared information about
UEB changes and the school’s
annual career day.
“It is important to let the
itinerant teachers know there
is support for them and that
assistive devices for their stu-
dents are accessible.” -Blanche
Faulk, LSVI Outreach Director
Pa
LOW-VISION WORKSHOP
JANUARY STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
Braille Trivia: When was Louis Braille’s six-cell braille set accepted in
America?
Claiborne Constance Andria Moore Rasheeta Williams Noah Mobley
Elementary Middle School High School Alternate Track
Rouge and learned his trade on-the-job. He began as a groundskeeper for LA School for the Deaf over twenty years ago. When a lay-off oc-curred, he transferred to the LSVI campus once located on Government Street. Later, he returned to the LSDVI cam-pus now on Brightside, where he has worked as a Custodian 2 inside LSVI buildings. Mr. John keeps up with trash, floors, and all rooms/offices.
In his spare time, he enjoys fishing and watching football. He admits to having been a Cowboys fan during the Rog-
On any giv-
en day, one can find a cart full of cleaning supplies near doorways in the halls of LSVI. A peek into the room will find Mr. John busy cleaning floors and emptying ever-full trashcans.
Besides the required uni-form, Mr. John likes to add team spirit by wearing a cap with the Saints logo on it. Sometimes, when the school is wearing a special LSVI t-shirt or sweatshirt, Mr. John will have his on, too.
Mr. John grew up in Baton
er Staubach era, but assures the Trojan Talk editor he has reformed. Believe it or not, Mr. John has been known to ‘hang out ‘ with Prince and Earth, Wind, and Fire. He can also be seen at the Essence Festival.
He has his eye on retiring to Jarvis Island where the build-ings do not have floors.
LSVI hopes he waits several more years for that to happen as his friendly presence and work ethic make him a popu-lar fellow at our school.
SPOTLIGHT: ‘Mr. John’ Gaines
DROP EVERYTHING AND BRAILLE
Every Wednesday during the last half of first period, everyone in the academic
building, drops and braille. ‘Everyone’ includes even the custodian. Much like the
‘Drop and Read’ concept, LSVI’s braille instructor thought this would help teachers
be able to spot-check braille goals, give teachers learning braille an opportunity to
practice, and the administrative staff time to observe how students are improving on
braille skills.