Victoria Santos

Born on April 14, 1866 in Feeding Hills, MA Birth name was Johanna Mansfield Sullivan Parents Thomas and Alice Irish Immigrants Grew up in poverty and had diseases At age 5 she contracted Trachoma= eye disease is severely damaged At age 8, her mother is very ill with tuberculosis and passes away Thomas was left to raise children – (drunk, abusive, alcoholic) Anne and younger brother Jimmie are sent to Tewksbury Almshouse EARLY YEARS

After 5 months brother Jimmie dies from tubercular hip Anne has two unsuccessful eye operations Conditions were terrible - underfed -over crowded -high mortality rate While at the poor house she learns about a school for the blind and is determined to get an education Special commission came to inspect conditions -Anne followed them around until the investigation was over and told them that she wanted to go to school. TEWKSBURY ALMSHOUSE

Left for Perkins Institute for the Blind in 1880 Underwent surgery to improve her vision Not socially welcomed Never went to school -did not know the manners she was suppose to have -quick temper got her in trouble Very bright and advanced academically Eventually developed friendships with some teachers and Michael Anagnos (director) PERKINS INSTITUTION

Excelled but never conformed -broke rules -sharp tongue Valedictorian “Fellow graduates: duty bids us to go forth into active life. Let us go cheerfully, hopefully, and earnestly, and set ourselves to find our especial part. When we have found it, willingly and faithfully perform it….” GRADUATING

Anagnos helps her find a job after graduation Keller family writes him contacts director at Perkins in search for a tutor for his deaf, blind, mute daughter Anne is recommended At only 21 years of age she accepts and leaves for Alabama in 1887 MEETING HELEN KELLER

Anne wanted to help Helen make associations between words and physical objects She worked very hard with Helen who was very stubborn and not well mannered Started by following a strict schedule and formed lessons including new vocabulary words Realized this was not helping Helen Anne separates Helen from her family in order to be better educated Shifts her teaching strategy to a more creative approach to learning Helen had a great desire to learn, just like Anne did when she was an orphan TEACHING STRATEGIES

Used a simple daily routine -playing in garden -needlework -gymnastics -an hour of learning new words -visits with farm animals -preparations for bed Teaching words Sullivan spelled out each letter in Helen’s palm Helen could not make the link between finger spelling & communication Sullivan’s child centered methods are the centerpiece of educational philosophy of the Perkins Deaf blind program

Helen is confusing words that are related Anne takes Helen to the water pump, and as the water pours into one hand, Anne spells w-a-t-e-r into Helen’s other hand. Helen creates the link between word and actual object. She is eager to learn more words This moment became immortalized in the 1957 play “The Miracle Worker” GREAT STEPS IN EDUCATION

Anne educated Helen for 13 years Anne taught Helen over 600 words, most of her multiplication tables, and how to read Braille Perkins school wrote about the continued success of Anne and her student Helen is accepted into Radcliff College in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1900 Anne continues to help Helen through college by spelling the contents of the lecture and spending hours conveying the information Helen writes an autobiography and John Macy helped edit the manuscript CONTINUED SUCCESS

John Macy proposed several times after meeting her, Anne finally accepted in 1905 Anne did not let her marriage life affect her teaching life They lived with Keller on a farm house in Massachusetts 1913 Sullivan’s marriage broke up, Macy left for Europe but they never divorced Sullivan began to experience health problems PERSONAL LIFE

1924, Anne and Helen begin to work for the American Foundation for the Blind as advocates, counselors, and fundraisers By the late 1920’s Anne lost most of her vision 1930, Temple University in Pennsylvania recognized Anne & Helen for their achievements and honorary degrees October 20, 1936, at age 70 Anne Sullivan dies at her home in Forest Hills, New York FINAL YEARS

Important symbol in education Able to teach through a form of sign language Makes the world aware of Helen’s abilities so no one could ever again doubt the value of educating children with disabilities Skills as a gifted teacher are deeply respecting No other individuals have had a greater influence on the education of children Inspiration to many LEGACY

"Anne Sullivan: Creating a Very Special Education." Edutopia. The George Lucas Educational Foundation, Web. 25 Nov "Anne Sullivan: Helen Keller Miracle Worker." The Anne Sullivan Foundation for Deaf/ Blind. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov "Anne Sullivan: Helen Keller Miracle Worker." Perkins School for the Blind. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov "Anne Sullivan Macy: Miracle Worker." American Foundation for the Blind. N.p., Web. 25 Nov Nielsen, Kim E. Beyond the Miracle Worker: The Remarkable Life of Anne Sullivan Macy and Her Extraordinary Friendship with Helen Keller. Boston: Beacon, Print. WORKS CITED