A teacher from the Orange County Department of Education’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing program recently received the Educator of the Year award from California Educators of the Deaf — also known as CAL-ED.
The award, presented at the 64th annual CAL-ED conference in La Jolla, recognized Janet Dicker’s contributions to Deaf education and her commitment to her students’ success. With a theme of “Mosaic Experiences: Reconnecting and Reframing Deaf Education,” the conference, held from Oct. 25 through Oct. 27, highlighted the importance of diverse approaches and shared experiences in shaping inclusive education for Deaf students.
OCDE’s program serves students in grades seven through high school from across Orange and surrounding counties. Recognized nationally as a model of regionalized programming, the program is located within the Irvine Unified School District at Venado Middle and University High schools, providing specialized support for students referred by their home school districts.
Her colleague at Venado, Principal David Longo, presented her with the award. He described her as a “rock” for the program and lauded her dedication to making learning accessible and meaningful for all students.
“She modified the first three volumes of the Harry Potter series to a third- and fourth- grade reading level, allowing our students to access and learn about things other kids their age enjoy,” said Longo. “I’ve never met anyone else who would go to such lengths.”
Dicker’s impact extends beyond the classroom; she played an instrumental role in helping her students at Venado prepare for the 2023 Battle of the Books reading competition. With her support, OCDE’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing team advanced to the national championship, eventually defeating the Iowa School for the Deaf in the final matchup.
For Dicker, who has spent her entire 28-year career in OCDE’s program, the award is an honor but also a reflection of her passion for teaching.
“I’m truly humbled to receive this recognition for doing a job I love,” Dicker said. “I cherish my DHH students and am honored to make a difference, even in small ways, in their lives.”
She expressed gratitude for the supportive colleagues and administrators who have encouraged her throughout her journey, noting that their trust and belief in her abilities have inspired her to give her best.
For more information about California Educators of the Deaf, visit CAL-ED’s webpage.