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As a longtime advocate for the plight of blind and visually impaired students, Julie Prause’s work throughout her career has brought her to some of the most impactful opportunities one with her passion and interests can reach in the state. In mid-May, Governor Greg Abbott appointed Prause to her second-straight term as a member to the Governing Board of the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
“I was extremely honored. If it wasn’t the highlight of my career, it was up there. I’m still very honored.” Prause said of her initial appointment and her second selection.
After serving six years as a board member, Prause moves on to another term helping lead the biggest resource in Texas to help teachers assist students with visual impairments continue their education and lead productive lives.
In Governor Abbott’s press release, Prause’s work history as a teacher for visually impaired students in Columbus ISD, Weimar ISD and certain schools in Fayette county as well as her work with community involvement in Columbus and St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.
Prause’s unique background made her an ideal candidate for the position as an expert in teaching students with visual limitations or blindness.
A graduate of Baylor University in Engl ish, Prause went on to pursue her Master of Education Degree in Special Education from Texas Tech in 1991. Her education prepared her for teaching students with various impairments that could affect their own abilities to participate in school. Her lifelong passion for the blind began after watching a blind man enter a bus and navigate with no assistance.
Prause’s fascinat ion with the entirely independent blind man led to her ambition to help as many students as possible reach that reality as well.
“It’s always been my goal to encourage my students and their families to allow them to be as independent as possible, and to bring awareness to the community on visual impairments,” Prause said, “These children who will turn into adults one day can succeed.”
After starting her career in Lubbock, she was able to move to Colorado County where she was able to work for each school district throughout her tenure. After her retirement in 2019, Prause still is committed to her passion as a part-time worker that assists schools on a contract basis.
Prause’s position is one that does not stay with any one grade level. Her services began as soon as blindness or any visual impairment is detected in students entering the school system. She then follows them throughout their school career and even beyond their high school graduation to give them as much support as necessary to create entirely independent adults such as the man she witnessed on the bus.
With her appointment to the Board for the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, her impact can have a much greater reach throughout the state. The Board is similar to a school district’s board of trustees, however, those working for TSBVI are much more involved in providing materials and support to teachers across the state with blind students, as well as for the students on campus.
With her years of experience in the field, teaching these students at a personal level, Prause is a prime candidate for one of the leading positions to help assist these students around the state. With her second-straight appointment, as well as an acknowledgement from the Governor himself, Prause moves on to her second term with the confidence and ambition she has had throughout her career.
