HIGH 5

High 5: Going Above And Beyond To Teach Braille

Nov 11, 2020, 7:51 AM | Updated: 1:58 pm

MILLVILLE, Utah – We’ve all made adjustments due to COVID-19, but imagine being a teacher trying to teach braille online. 

Lisa Nebeker is an outreach teacher for the visually impaired for the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind. Not only did she get creative, but she also got a special Utah Highway Patrol trooper involved.

At Millville Elementary School, 7-year-old Ezra Liechty is learning braille.

KSL TV

“We’re teaching him braille letters, the contractions, learning to get his fingers to get ready to feel the braille and read braille,” Lisa said.

She works with Ezra to prepare him for the future.

“He will eventually be completely blind,” she said.

Learning braille is hands-on, so imagine how difficult it was for the two of them earlier in the year when the pandemic moved school online.

Since Ezra was learning from home, he could get easily distracted, Lisa said.

KSL TV

Ezra loves garage doors, and his mom had an idea to help hold his attention during remote school.

“She was like, ‘Hey, Ezra, maybe if you sit and listen and we do our work, maybe Lisa can show you her garage,'” Lisa said. “And I’m like, ‘Sweet, that works!'”

She said she would pick up her laptop, take it to the garage, and open the door so Ezra could watch it going up and down.

But there was something special inside Lisa’s garage that Ezra really wanted to see: her husband’s Utah Highway Patrol vehicle.

“It was almost the last day of quarantine … and I’m like, ‘Ezra, guess what day it is?'” Lisa said. “And he zoomed through that lesson so fast so he could be able to go down and see that police car in the garage.”

“It was super fun to see his excitement on the computer,” she added.

Lisa took it a step further to reward Ezra for his hard work. She asked her husband, Sgt. Nebeker, to pay him a visit.

KSL TV

“He came running out of the house jumping up and down saying, ‘Lisa’s here with her husband!'” Lisa said. “My husband let him in and told him what buttons to push, and he would push it and come outside and look at the lights and then go back and push another.”

The KSL TV team got to see that same excitement during the visit to Millville Elementary when Sgt. Nebeker stopped by to pay him another a visit.

Wasting no time, Ezra jumped into the cruiser and went straight for the lights and siren.

“He’s inspiring to me,” Sgt. Nebeker said. “He can do things I can’t do. I see him come out with his cane and I know that he’s learning braille and learning to write braille and read braille. That’s something I can’t do.”

KSL TV

No doubt Ezra will do great things – especially when supported by great teachers who go above and beyond, like Lisa Nebeker.

“I really love and enjoy this job,” she said. “It’s the best.”

KSL TV’s friends at America First Credit Union loved hearing about Lisa and the passion she puts into her teaching, so they are sending her a $500 gift card to say thank you.

Do you know someone doing good in our community? A friend or family member building up neighbors or a coworker giving selflessly? Click here to nominate them for a KSL High 5.

 

KSL 5 TV Live

High 5

(KSL TV)...

Dan Spindle, KSL TV

HIGH 5: Utah Group Packs Thousands Of Bags To Feed Kids Through Summer Months

There are Utah children who won't go hungry thanks to some caring volunteers with USANA Kids Eat.

3 years ago

Chris Schunk is a special education teacher at Snowcrest Junior High School. (KSL TV)...

Haley Smith, Cary J. Schwanitz, KSL TV

High 5: Special Ed Teacher Treats Students As People First

Students and parents at Snowcrest Junior High couldn’t imagine a day without special education teacher Chris Schunk as they navigated the highs and lows of the last school year in the middle of the pandemic.  

3 years ago

Crossing Guard Verl Creager makes sure to wave at every car, every day. (KSL TV)...

Haley Smith & Matthew Jacobson, KSL TV

High 5: Crossing Guard’s Kind Gesture Brightens Community

Verl Creager is the school crossing guard at Valley Elementary School. Many don't know his name, but they know who he is because of a simple gesture. He makes sure to wave at every car that passes by.

3 years ago

Photo provided by Sticky Chicken...

Dan Spindle & Matthew Jacobson, KSL TV

High 5: Cooking Up Life Lessons That Stick At Sticky Bird

Sticky Bird in Farmington seems like any other fast, casual chicken restaurant, but what happens behind the scenes is the real recipe for a better life. 

3 years ago

(KSL TV)...

Shara Park, KSL TV

High 5: Utahns Step Up To Help Clear The Snow

During the recent winter storms, countless Utahns stepped up to help both neighbors and strangers clear snow.

3 years ago

...

Grant Weyman & Matthew Jacobson, KSL TV

High 5: Grant Elementary Grateful For Attentive Principal

At Grant Elementary School in Murray, there are some very grateful people who appreciate their principal. 

3 years ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

High 5: Going Above And Beyond To Teach Braille