A Tribute to Dr. Jean Lokerson

by Mary-Clare Reynolds, LDA Executive Director

Dr. Jean Lokerson, a true pioneer in the LDA family and a long time volunteer at both the state (Virginia) and national levels of LDA passed away in November. She served on the Professional Advisory Board, Board of Directors and Executive Committee. In addition to these elected positions, Jean served on numerous committees over many years including Bylaws/Policy, Education and Public Policy. Her longest serving committee role was with the annual conference Program Committee, which she chaired in 1992 and 2007. She instituted the ever popular ‘Table Talk for Teachers’ sessions in 1989, and they are still held each year. Jean was Associate Editor of LDA’s professional journal from 1989-2013. For countless years, Jean was one of LDA’s representatives to the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities (NJCLD), attending their semi-annual meetings, collaborating on papers and serving LDA proudly. In 2008, Jean was the recipient of LDA’s highest award, the LDA Award which is given in recognition and appreciation of outstanding leadership, support, and dedication in the field of learning disabilities.

 

To say she dedicated her life to teaching and improving the lives of all children, especially those with learning disabilities, is an understatement. The oldest of 5 children, Jean began her teaching career with her younger siblings, playing school in the basement of her childhood home. One of her passions was teaching future teachers – those preparing for a career in education. From her dedication to teacher preparation, for many years she was the lead on an LD Foundation grant that provided stipends to teams of educators attending the LDA Annual Conference. If anyone was born to teach, it was Jean…

Words can only begin to express Jean’s dedication to LDA. For those who did not know Jean, please learn a little more about her through her obituary, published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch, http://www.richmond.com/obituaries/article_6ba4bc3b-6bee-519a-a840-14e7c60ec5cc.html. LDextenditdeepessympathietJeanfamilanlifelonfrienElisBlankenship. Her legacy will live on in our hearts and minds..

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