SC School for the Deaf and the Blind Awards Irene Casey the Douglas F. Dent Award

SPARTANBURG, SC – Irene Casey was named this year’s Douglas F. Dent Award recipient at the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind. The Dent Award is the highest honor bestowed by the school’s Board of Commissioners.

Ms. Casey taught second and third graders at the school for 43 years before retiring in 2002. Shortly after retirement, she began volunteering as a reading tutor. Now a full decade later, she is still volunteering four mornings each week with no plans to stop anytime soon.

Ms. Casey spends many of her free hours searching for just the right materials to interest each individual student. “I just love being with the children,” she said. “I hate to see children struggle, and I want to help,”she said.

“Ms. Casey gives unselfishly with no expectation for recognition,” said Sara Kollock, the school’s director of education services. “She goes about her daily work quietly and unassumingly. She tutors reading and language skills, keeps data, assists with informal assessments, supports the teachers, and makes sure each student experiences success at each session.”

Ms. Casey has contributed to the lives of hundreds of students during her 53 years of service. She has improved their academic skills, increased their independence, and been an outstanding role model to them.

In the photo, Phyllis Alexander congratulates Irene Casey on her selection as this year’s Douglas F. Dent Award recipient.

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