A Bunch of Dedicated, Enthusiastic….

 Well, we did it! We are now an official professional chapter. And we had our first meeting on Oct 12, 2009 for the new school year. Nine enthusiastic members set aside time in their busy schedules to contribute to the dreaming and planning to build this organization dedicated to the teaching and understanding of special education and the children it represents. It was decided that the organization had two predominate goals this year (probably among others). But these stood out: (a) supporting our students to attend the National CEC Conference in Nashville, Tennessee (And yes, it will cost a lot, but we’re up to the task), and (b) contributing to the community, teachers and children with special needs.

Here’s just some of the things we’ll be doing: participating in Exceptional Children’s Week Feb 18 – 24, having a book fair, a bake sale, 50/50 raffle, and a dessert auction (yum).

We had a great time. Our officers are the following:

President, Chelsea Gumley; President Elect, Bridget Kelley; vice President, Mia Kloc; Treasurer, Keith Hyatt; Secretary, Grace Kang; Membership Chair, Aurora Edwards; Newsletter Ediotr, Kim Assink, and Historian, Gail Coulter (That’s Me!)

If you are a teacher in Whatcom or Skagit County or if you are a student interested in a vital, enthusiastic organization that believes in getting things done, come join November 2 in Miller Hall 162 at 6 p.m. Come out and dream and plan with us. 

New School Year – CEC Let’s Get Started: MH 162 Oct. 8th 4:30-6

Well, here we are again, a new school year. New challenges, new concepts, new opportunities, new friends. So, friends let’s get started. Let’s meet. Miller Hall 162. Wednesday Oct 8  4:30-6. See you there.

Meet Our Members

Aurora Edwards is our President. We thank her for the service she provided in establishing WWU Professional Chapter and for her consistent leadership.

I have always wanted to be a teacher, but my interest in special education came later on in life. At one point I was working with children who were in foster care and spent quite a bit of time assisting them with homework. We mostly worked on organizational skills and clarifying topics they were having a hard time comprehending. But it was then that I realized how much I enjoyed getting to the root of why they were unsuccessful in some areas of school and working to come up with solutions.

 

Last fall Chelsea Gumley and I approached Bridget Kelley about joining the CEC chapter that we thought existed on campus. I think we were both surprised to find there was no active chapter, but with Bridget’s enthusiasm and help we started the process of opening one. We decided to go with a professional chapter as opposed to a student chapter for a few reasons. First, we worried that with the transitory nature of college students it might prove difficult to maintain the student membership numbers. But we also saw what a great opportunity there was to create a community of teachers, preservice teachers and teacher educators. For me, to be able to listen to what problems the teachers are currently facing, what resources they find useful, and other issues they see arising in the future, it really helps give me more focus in my studies. I definitely think that belonging to the CEC and being an active member has made my time at Western more purposeful.

Meet Our Members

This series of posts highlights notes from some of our members. Linda Schleef graciously spoke at one of our meetings. Thank you, Linda.

Hello. My name is Linda Schleef and I am the coordinator of the E-ATRC (Ershig Assistive Technology Resource Center) in Woodring College of Education at Western Washington University. The E-ATRC houses hundreds of technology tools that can help support a variety of students with diverse learning needs. My primary purpose, as E-ATRC coordinator, is working with WCE teachers in training (elementary, secondary, special education and TESOL) so they can learn about the tools that may benefit their future students. Assistive technologies include a wide range of tools from simple pencil grips to voice recognition software; from talking hand-held dictionaries to high-tech computerized communication devices.

I am a special education teacher and, before coming to WWU, I taught in the public school system for nearly 20 years. My interest in assistive technologies began when, as a first year teacher, I had two students in my elementary level special education classroom who were nonverbal. It was a real eye-opener to me to realize that I was responsible for teaching these students to read! I immediately began looking for resources and technologies that could help me achieve my goals and my interest in assistive technology has never waned. I now have a credential from RESNA (the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America) which certifies me as an ‘Assistive Technology Professional’ (ATP).

 If you would like to know more about the Ershig Assistive Technology Resource Center, which is located on the WWU campus in Miller Hall 212, please stop by and check it out. You can also go to the E-ATRC website at www.wce.wwu.edu/resources/atrc/ and/or contact me at (360)650-2783 or Linda.Schleef@wwu.edu.

Seattle, Here We Come

WWU Professional Chapter of Washington Council for Exceptional Children traveled to the CEC 2009 Convention and Expo at the Seattle State Convention and Trade Center April 1 through 4.

The convention center was beautiful and hosted thousands of CEC attendees.

It was an exciting time for students and faculty as we participated in and attended presentations selected from more than 900 sessions.

One of the most notable sessions attended by hundreds of conference goers, with standing room only, highlighted representatives of the new administration. Below, the Special Assistant to the President on Disability Policy took the stage.  He discussed the recent funding of IDEA and the stimulus bill in relation to education, especially special education. The crowd showed their appreciation of his message through a standing ovation.

Upstairs and downstairs, we hustled from session to session. It was hard to decide. Topics included advocacy, RTI, math, writing, vocabulary, research, inclusion practices, collaboration, autism, parent training, social interactions, positive behavior support, assistive technology, special education policy, instructional coaching, early intervention, evidence based practices, overidentification, professional development, culturally responsive schools, and many, many more. Oh, it was hard to decide.

Western students and faculty presented. We are showing pictures of only some of those who presented because the photographer was unavailable to take pictures at some sessions. Ken Howell also presented. Keith Hyatt discussed implications of special education law.

Tracy Thorndike-Christ and Jenny Parker shared the limelight in a poster session regarding beliefs of  preservice general educators. Tracey discussed the finer points of their research with a participant below.

 

Bridget Kelley (right) with Jenny Parker.

Bridget fulfilled several roles. She presented two posters.

But more than that, she mentored Western’s most recent graduates and recently certified teachers from the Special Education Program through a poster session.

This poster was a collaborative effort prepared by Rachael Marz (left), Tiffany Jackson (middle), and Nikki Reynolds (right). The presentation was titled How General Educators Can Use the CBE Process within the Three-tiered RTI Model of Response to Intervention. The selection of our students by CEC national boards for a presentation was quite an honor. Congratulations, Grads.

Our students also found out that they could begin to stock up for their future classrooms. And it all costs money. It costs money, that is, except when we scavengered the expo just before closing. You’d be amazed at the deals you can find on materials that can be helpful in setting up a future classroom.

There was refreshments available.

There was also music.

We did get tired and took mini-breaks in Freeway Park right outside the convention center doors.

 

Then Friday evening, our WWU CEC Chapter, along with the Special Education Program, hosted a reception for alumni and others.

Several members of WWU CEC attended.

Alumni enjoyed the party. We all had a great time. We had an opportunity to reconnect and to establish relationships. We discussed possible research and partnerships. One of the wonderful benefits was hearing from our alumni and present students about their successes and how we can support future efforts. This session also provided an opportunity for present students to interact with teachers in the field and ask questions.

Some of us did find time to play (just a little bit). What’s a conference, though, without a little bit of time to play? Can’t be all work.

And we found some wonderful places to eat off the beaten path.

Thanks, CEC, for a great conference.  Thanks for your hospitality, Seattle. Thank you to all of you here in Bellingham and beyond who supported this effort in sending us from Western to a great professional experience that will benefit us in serving children with disabilities and their families. We learned a lot and had a wonderful time. There’s a place to make comments, and this is an invitation for all to send this site your thoughts and most memorable moments. Please join the conversation. See you next year CEC in Nashville.

Thank You, Gone Diving

WWU CEC wants to extend a special thank you to Gone Diving in Bellingham for their contribution to our CEC effort. We will be auctioning their gift of two beginning scuba diving lessons soon. The date of the auction is still being determined. So, thank you Gone Diving. Your contribution is much appreciated.

Bake Sale

WWU Professional CEC recently netted over $300 through the bake sale during February. Thank you to the WWU faculty and members who contributed items and bought our wonderful goodies. The money is planned to be used to help send our members to our CEC International Conference in Seattle in April.

Probably the most sought after item in the bake sale was Puppy Chow!

Thank you, members. Some of the members who helped us out were the following: