Kent ISD Educator Named Braille Institute International Teacher of the Year 2023

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Braille Institute has named Kent ISD educator April Makley International Teacher of the Year 2023 for excellence in braille instruction. Makley is a Teacher Consultant for the Visually Impaired at Kent ISD. She works with students across all grade levels who have visual impairments using adaptive instruction and assistive technology including braille instruction.

“We are so proud of April and the amazing work she is doing with students throughout Kent ISD,” said Ron Koehler, Kent ISD Superintendent. “Our Special Education team is dedicated to improving outcomes for all students in partnership with our local districts. Having our educator receive this award from the Braille Institute is a real honor and demonstration of our commitment to serving students of all abilities.”

“My passion is working with children and teaching them the skills they need to thrive,” said Makley. “I want to thank Braille Institute for this honor, and it is a privilege to be recognized for something I love doing.” Makley was nominated for this award by one of her former students who has been accepted to Harvard. Mackey was also recognized as Teacher of the Year by Michigan Parents of the Visually Impaired in 2008, for outstanding contributions to the field, and recently received a Leading Learning award from Kent ISD.

Makley will be recognized with the Braille Institute International Teacher of the Year award on June 24 on the University of Southern California campus. The award is part of Braille Institute’s annual Braille Challenge competition, the only academic competition of its kind in North American and the United Kingdom for students who are blind or visually impaired.

Please direct media inquiries to Joy Walczak, Kent ISD Communications Specialist at joywalczak@kentisd.org or 906.632.6290.