Volume 22 - September, 2022

Back To School

A Tale of Two Teachers

School is back in session and in most cases all the focus is on the students, however, we felt it was important to highlight two extraordinary teachers who both work part-time at Lighthouse as teachers of the visually impaired and have full-time positions at area school districts.

Meet Marci Marcott (aka Miss Marci)

Marci has been with Lighthouse since 2014 and has worked in the St. Lucie School District for 23 years as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) and an Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Specialist. Marci’s position is classified as itinerant, in other words, she travels from school to school to work with students of all ages, all over the district. Her caseload of students ranges from 10-20 annually and consists of different training and instruction depending on each students needs. She pulls the students out of their respective classrooms for their one-on-one instruction, which she feels is more impactful for the student as she can assist them to become more independent and then they go back into their classroom with the skills she taught them and they can use those skills in a mainstream environment – which is more aligned with the real world.

Marci says that when she see’s children succeed, which over 23 years she has seen a lot, is her greatest reward. She also loves when a child is introduced to a new device and suddenly they see more than they ever thought possible – it brings tears to her eyes.

Meet Victoria Short (aka Miss Tori)

Tori started at Lighthouse in 2019 and loves the chemistry and continued relationship she can have with her students from school, who also come to the Lighthouse. It allows her an opportunity to also engage more with the parents and see how her students adapt in a totally different environment than the classroom. Her classroom is at Elbridge Gale Elementary in Wellington. She too is a TVI and O&M specialist. Her teaching environment is totally different than Marci’s as Tori has her own classroom and the students come to her throughout the day. She only teaches elementary age students and is afforded the opportunity to observe and assist her students in the cafeteria, gym classes and for help with special projects in their general education classroom. She has been with Elbridge Gale for 10 years and finds her greatest reward is to see her students earn overnight trips at Lighthouse, as she knows the skills she has taught them has paid-off and her students are living their best life.

Have you ever wondered how a blind or visually impaired person interprets art?

They must use their imagination of course, and engage all of their other senses - touch, hear, taste and smell. Which, in most cases, art galleries and artists do not allow guests to touch their precious works of art, and no one is typically around to describe it for them. However, a group of our adult clients received the VIP treatment at a recent tour at the Norton Museum of Art. Their expertly trained docents described and encouraged them to touch and interact with various sculptures and to utilize their imagination as they toured the world-famous museum.

As our clients can attest to, it was an amazing and impressive afternoon. And now you too can attend one of the most unique and sensory engaging events in Palm Beach - Art in the Dark. Wearing blindfolds, you will touch, hear, taste, and smell diverse art forms created by local artists – then you'll remove the blindfold. How did your imagination and insight compare to the art?

The evening will culminate with a SENSORY EXPLOSION that includes food tastings, cocktails, entertainment by visually impaired guitarist Islay Rodriguez and Urban Gypsy and a creative silent auction – all to raise funds for Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches.

The date is set for Giving Tuesday, November 29th at 5:30 pm at the new Marina Village Event Center in Riviera Beach near the port. For more information or to purchase tickets or sponsorships, visit our website or call 561-586-5600.

Adult Focus Club at the Norton Museum of Art

Group of adults standing with a docent under a ceiling of colorful art glass made by Dale Chihuly

Docent assisting a blind client touching a large bronze sculpture

Blind man wearing white gloves touching a large bronze sculpture

A woman in a green shirt, wearing white gloves touching a white bust sculpture of a man

A man wearing a burgundy shirt and a white mask touching a small bronze sculpture of a young girl and a cat

A woman sitting at a table holding up a face clay mask she made

red lighthouse on a small green hill with swirling yellow circles surrounding stars and the moon in the sky

Art in the Dark Preview Party

Tuesday, October 11

6 pm – 8 pm

Uptown Paint and Sip

1695 W Indiantown Rd in Jupiter

Start your sensory imaginations early as we paint

A Starry Night Lighthouse – blind-folded.

A specially trained art teacher of the visually impaired will guide us

throughout the evening.

$35 per person includes all supplies, apron, wine and cheese.

PURCHASE TICKETS NOW

SAVE THE DATE

Caregivers Support Group Monday, September 12 6 pm - 8 pm at the Lighthouse

Calendar of Events:

Monday, September 12 - 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm - Caregivers Support Group. Includes dinner. Please R.S.V.P. to rmulero@lhpb.org.

Friday, September 16 - 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm - Friday Book Club virtual or in person at the Lighthouse. E-mail dsalina@lhpb.org for more information. This month's book is Beyond the Melting Pot: the Negroes, Puerto Ricans, Jews, Italians, and Irish of New York by Nathan Glazer and Daniel Moynihan.

Thursday, September 22 - 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm - Thursday Book Club. E-mail dsalina@lhpb.org for more information. This month's book is The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles.

Friday, October 7 - 10:00 am - noon - October Focus Club.

Hear from the League of Women Voters regarding accessible voting and enjoy a Halloween themed event! E-mail rmulero@lhpb.org for more information.

Saturday, October 8 - Fall Family Festival. E-mail eprus@lhpb.org for more information.

Tuesday, October 11 - 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm - "Art in the Dark" Preview Party at Uptown Paint and Sip, 1695 W Indiantown Rd in Jupiter. For more information and to purchase tickets.

Saturday, October 15 - White Cane Day. Click here for more information.