Students with Exceptional Needs Human Rights Award
Awarded to a member whose activities have helped to achieve significant progress on behalf of equal opportunity for students with exceptional needs.

Lee Wygand

DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING ITINERANT TEACHER
Riverside County Office Teacher’s Assn.

Lee Wygand is a fierce champion and advocate, both within their own local and statewide, ensuring equitable education for students with hearing loss and diverse needs. With a steadfast dedication to addressing the unique challenges faced by these students in mainstream classrooms, they have significantly impacted educators, parents and administrators alike.

By crafting inclusive educational strategies, Wygand not only empowers students in the classroom but also advocates for their broader needs. By emphasizing that students with hearing loss deserve support regardless of their academic performance, they challenge misconceptions and foster environments where all learners can thrive without undue fatigue or barriers. Their expertise is sought out by other educators and union representatives.

Through their presentation “The Unique Needs of the Deaf or Hard of Hearing Student in the Mainstream Classroom” Wygand illuminated the critical distinction between loudness and clarity in teaching practices. Their workshop, which debuted at the 2021 CTA Special Education Conference, has since become a staple at multiple CTA conferences. Receiving consistent five-star ratings, their sessions equip educators with actionable strategies and inspire ongoing dialogue about accessibility and inclusion.

Wygand is innovative in developing and sharing resources: In 2013, they created a bilingual dice game in English and Spanish to help students learn the parts of the ear. This free resource, available on Teachers Pay Teachers, has been downloaded over 750 times, demonstrating its widespread impact and utility for educators.

Additionally, Wygand goes beyond conferences and the classroom by educating parents about their child’s rights, ensuring families are equipped to advocate for equitable opportunities.

As a credentialed educator for both Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students and those with moderate to severe disabilities, Wygand exemplifies the power of specialized expertise. Their leadership in establishing the DHH+ classroom with Riverside County Office of Education in 2014 set a benchmark for inclusive education, ensuring students with complex needs receive the tailored instruction and care they deserve.