Teachers at Career Center Receive Award for Working with Students with Disabilities

Francis Manns, Darlene Owens, Sherry Billings, Claudette Goodwin

On Oct. 16, the Winston-Salem Mayor’s Council for Persons with Disabilities (MCPD) gave its Advocacy Award to Sherry Billings and Darlene Owens who teach in the Culinary Arts program at the Career Center.

Billings and Owens were nominated by Claudette Goodwin and Francis Manns, who teach at Carter High School, which shares the Kennedy campus with the Career Center and John F. Kennedy High School.

In nominating the women, Goodwin and Manns wrote: “Chef Billings and Chef Owens have opened their doors and encouraged children with disabilities to take an active role in cooking in the classroom as well as participation in public and social events. They are both always encouraging and supportive.

“They encourage the students to be as independent as possible, often giving them assignments meant only for them to do. Then they step back, watch, and observe. In other words they grant them the gift of time, infused with patience. 

“They both set excellent examples of how students with different abilities should be treated.”

After the awards luncheon, Goodwin said, “I loved everything about the experience and had the opportunity to meet many new people. I was very proud of both chefs. This was a recognition earned and deserved by two incredible women who work hard to build bridges.” 

The Mayor’s Council is a “non-profit, volunteer organization that advocates improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities and promotes an environment free of architectural barriers. Through special projects and events such as Barrier Awareness Day and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) celebrations, MCPD involves community leaders and individual citizens in understanding both the physical and attitudinal barriers facing persons with disabilities.”