Visionaries

PERKINS AIMS TO TRAIN TEACHERS AROUND THE GLOBE

The night was filled with laughter and tears as Perkins School for the Blind students performed and shared their experiences thursday evening at the famed institution. It was part of the fundraising gala at the school's Watertown campus, co-chaired by “Friends” producer Kevin Bright and board chair Corinne Basler Grousbeck.

Grousbeck, fresh off a trip visiting schools and institutions in Eastern Europe, spoke of the need to go global with the school's mission.

She also saluted her son Campbell, a Perkins alum who now works in music with the Boys and Girls Club, teaches kids about science at the Museum of Science and also gives talks to elementary schools about what it's like to be blind.

Perkins President and CEO Dave Power touched on key initiatives including technology, transportation and teacher and corporation training.

“Perkins International academy's goal is to reach at least 1 million teachers around the world ... and we're introducing it to the world at the u.N. in June,” Power said.

among the many wins for Perkins this year was a Lesley university training program for teachers to prepare young blind adults for a transition plan and the first on-demand paratransit program with the MBta, uber and Lyft.

Following dinner, which raised over $1 million, and programming, the band War took the stage, getting the crowd up and dancing.

among the dancing kings and queens: Simone Stedry Winston, Elena and Tom Matlack, Katherine Chapman Stemberg, Joseph O’Donnell and Hunt Lambert.

PHOtOS By MICHaEL BLaNCHard SCHOOL REPORT: Clockwise from above, Perkins board of trustees treasurer Randy Kinnard and his wife, Tina, like what they hear; Perkins alum Ellis Hall parties with his wife, Leighala; Corinne Basler Grousbeck speaks to the audience; and Perkins...