The Bill Ellis Teacher Preparation Award is presented annually to a general education teacher who demonstrates excellence in teaching and a commitment to all students, including those with learning disabilities.

Established in 1996, the award honors Bill Ellis, a great humanitarian, educator and visionary who served as NCLD's director of professional services from 1991 until his death in 1995.

It was Bill's vision in the field of learning disabilities that framed much of what NCLD has become. He led the organization by collaborating with other learning disabilities organizations and establishing a growing presence on a national level; he recognized the importance of early intervention for children with learning disabilities; he valued the roles that general educators play in the lives of children with learning disabilities; and he helped create the first of NCLD's highly respected national summits: The 1994 summit, an event that presented learning disabilities to the highest levels of government.

In May 1996, Bill's last great undertaking was realize NCLD's National Summit on Teacher Preparation. Although sadly, Bill was not able to attend the summit, it was his idea and dream to establish a forum where general and special educators could join together to shape the future of teaching.

Bill saw beyond the world of learning disabilities and recognized the need to reach all educators.

NCLD will soon be accepting applications for the 2008 Bill Ellis Teacher Preparation Award. Please visit this page after January 1, 2008 to download the application.

2007 Bill Ellis Teacher Preparation Award Winner
Kimberly Weber
Principal, Chavez Elementary School
Long Beach, California

Previous winners of the Bill Ellis Teacher Preparation Award

2006
Joyce Bannerot
Popham Elementary School
Del Valle, Texas

2005
Jennifer Combs
Whitney Elementary School
Boise, Idaho

2004
Cathy Graf
Charlotte Park Elementary School
Nashville, Tennessee

2003
Brian Coffey
William H. Kelso Elementary School
Inglewood, California

2002
Francine N. K. Cummings
Scottdale Child Development Center
Scottdale, Georgia

2001
Sandi Apuna
Superstition Springs Elementary School
Mesa, Arizona

2000
Mary Hailes
Seaton Elementary School
Washington, District of Columbia

1999
Lisa Mosier
Frances Starms Early Childhood Center
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

1998
Peggy Couch
Antioch Middle School
Overland Park, Kansas 

1997
Luis Velazquez
Roger C. Sullivan High School
Chicago, Illinois

1996
Carolyn Denise Witcher Sessoms, Ed.D.
Rudolph Elementary School
Washington, District of Columbia