2023 BLVS Alumna of the Year: Lindsay Lee, MEd ‘19

Lindsay Lee, MEd ‘19, says she still feels fresh in her career. After all, she graduated from the Blindness and Low Vision Studies (BLVS) program at Salus University just four years ago.

That’s why it was somewhat of surprise when she found out she was named the 2023 BLVS Alumna of the Year from the University’s Alumni Association.

“I feel really honored that I have made an impact in such a short amount of time,” said Lee, who works as a teacher for the visually impaired (TVI) for the Mat-Su Borough School District in her home state of Alaska. “This field wasn’t something I even knew existed until about eight or nine years ago.”

Lee was nominated by her colleague, Sarah Moreau, who didn’t reveal that she was putting her name in to be considered for the award. Moreau wrote in her nomination letter that Lee has become a leader in Alaska as a TVI, working with infants  to children three years of age, as well as contracting as a Low Vision Specialist (LVTS) for older adults in the community.

“Lindsay is pivotal contributor and professional developing guidelines, policies, and procedures for a start-up business, Arctic Vision, providing TVI education from birth- three and training developmental specialists statewide,” wrote Moreau.”

Her training at Salus, said Lee, helped prepare her to make immediate contributions to her profession and community early in her career.

“Salus has high standards for its graduates and I appreciate how thorough and varied the classes were,” she said. “I also appreciated its partnership with The Eye Institute (TEI) and the fact that there is an optometry program at Salus. It really prepares its graduates to work in a real setting, not just with theoretical experience but practical experience.”

Lee returned to Alaska after graduating from Salus because she was aware of the shortage of low vision specialists in the state and the great need for those services.

“The state is underserved for BLVS, as are some other low population states. It’s hard to get services here, especially those who live in rural areas and aren’t able to travel to the larger cities,” said Lee. “There is a great sense of camaraderie among professionals in Alaska, everyone works hard to make sure blind and low vision individuals get the support they need in their home communities.”

She is quite happy in her current position and enjoys working with school-age children. And, she understands that as a teacher for the visually impaired, she never knows what the next day may bring.

“Depending on the students, depending on the need, it’s never boring,” she said. “I think I will be a TVI for the foreseeable future. I feel like I just started this and I am really enjoying it, so I’m going to keep doing that until the next opportunity presents itself. At some point, I would love to teach classes to up and coming BLVS professionals about the unique needs of rural areas.”