Nebraska Educator Recognized for Transformative Braille Instruction and Lifelong Impact
Braille Institute proudly announces Audrey Graves as its 2025 Teacher of the Year, honoring her extraordinary contributions to braille literacy and education for students who are blind or visually impaired. The award is presented annually as part of Braille Institute's Braille Challenge®-the only academic competition of its kind in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia and Ireland -which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary of championing braille literacy and student achievement. Graves will be honored at Braille Challenge Finals held June 28 at the University of Southern California.
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Graves, who serves as an Outreach Consultant at the Nebraska Center for the Education of Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired (NCECBVI), has dedicated more than two decades to the field of special education. Her commitment has spanned roles from classroom teacher to principal, but her heart has always remained with students – inspiring confidence, self-advocacy, and independence through braille instruction.
“Braille opens the doors to literacy, greater independence, and increased opportunities,” said Graves. “Being part of that journey with my students is an incredible privilege. I'm deeply honored by this recognition from Braille Institute.”
Known for her creativity and compassion, Graves goes beyond teaching braille-she builds relationships. From integrating music and humor into lessons to empowering students with adaptive technology and tactile learning tools, her approach is both joyful and deeply personal. One parent described Audrey as “a unique, uncommon, notable, exceptional human being,” sharing how Audrey not only taught her daughter with Batten Disease but also inspired her to dream big-about college, a future career, and a life filled with purpose.
Braille Institute CEO Jim (Dimitri) Kales praised Graves' outstanding dedication: “Audrey's deep passion, leadership, and creativity reflect the very best of what it means to be a Teacher of the Year. Her impact will be felt for generations.”
With braille literacy strongly linked to long-term success, Braille Institute remains committed to recognizing educators who are changing the landscape of what is possible for students who are blind or visually impaired. Research continues to show that 90% of employed adults who are blind are braille readers-underscoring the importance of champions like Graves.
About Braille InstituteBraille Institute is a nonprofit organization that has empowered people with vision loss for over 100 years. It offers a wide range of programs and services to more than 20,000 children, youth, and adults each year, completely free of charge and only made possible by the generous support of donors
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SOURCE Braille Institute of America
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