Career Biographies
Lisa Shearman
Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired
Education Coordinator
A native of upstate New York, Lisa has followed a life long dream of working with children with visual impairments to help them reach the highest level of independence. Following graduation from Kutztown University, Lisa received her masters degree in Orientation and Mobility from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry while employed with the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired.
Lisa works in our Staunton Regional Office and contributes 20 years of experience in the field of Education for the Vision Impaired. Half of that experience was as an itinerant teacher in the public schools, seven with the DBVI, two with the VA School for the Deaf and Blind in Staunton and one as a private contract provider for Orientation and Mobility. Lisa commends the staff in the Staunton Regional Office, the Fairfax Regional Office and Headquarters in Richmond as "some of the most supportive, creative and encouraging people I have ever met. They have provided me with opportunities for professional growth and have encouraged me to create programs and to stretch myself beyond what I thought were my limitations. It is an honor to work with those who believe in our students and work hard to help them improve their quality of life."
What is a typical day like? In any given day Lisa may start her day by determining how an infant's vision impacts his or her development and education, as well as assessing what we can do to remediate and what support and technical assistance may be available to the child, his/her family and the infant program staff. Working with families of infants is exciting. After an infant is diagnosed with a visual impairment, parents may be distraught and worried about their child's future and to experience their hope and see their excitement when we work with them to help achieve these goals is exciting.
Next she may visit a high school to participate in a transition meeting to help an upcoming graduate with his or her future career goals, and what they may need to be able to achieve them. The day may end with a low vision exam for an elementary student to determine what adaptive equipment or technology may be available to increase the child's functional vision. Or, it could be off to a meeting with a Director of Special Education in one of the multiple school systems that Lisa supports.
What makes this work valuable? Lisa enjoys the diversity of her job including a wide age range of students (0-22), the professionals she partners (other DBVI staff, optometrists, rehab specialists, guidance counselors, physical and occupational therapists, etc.) and the supportive and caring families she meets on a regular basis. "The moments are just incredible," says Lisa. "It's about relationships. You're with these kids from when they are infants until they graduate from high school - you watch these kids grow up. It's a great opportunity to help families and to help these kids to reach the highest level of independence."
Future plans? We have recently solicited information from service providers and families about their needs in order to provide training opportunities that will meet our client needs. DBVI considers the impact of vision impairments on kids, works with service providers and families to include this in their therapies in an integrated approach and ultimately providing trainings for service providers and families. "It is an exciting time."
