| News for special education professionals | April 15, 2009 |
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| Special Report Intro |  |  |
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| A look back at the CEC 2009 Convention & Expo |
The Council for Exceptional Children hosted its 2009 Convention & Expo in Seattle from April 1 to 4. The convention was filled with workshops, speakers, special events, an expo and career center, and networking opportunities. More than 5,000 attendees came to the event, which CEC characterized as a huge success.
Following a series of Pre-convention Workshops, Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin kicked off the convention with her keynote address of April 1. Matlin, who is deaf, spoke of the support she had been given over the years, telling the audience, "I know that I am here today because people like you listened to me."
The convention was packed with educational sessions covering such important topics as the economic-stimulus package, Response to Intervention, assistive technology, behavior therapy, IDEA, autism spectrum disorder, the development of highly qualified special educators, literacy and fostering family-professional relationships. Among the highlights of the convention were cutting-edge policy sessions featuring Kareem Dale, special assistant to President Barack Obama on disability policy, and other officials from the U.S. Department of Education.At select events such as the General Session, Teacher of the Year Luncheon and "Yes I Can!" awards ceremony, CEC recognized special educators, researchers and students with special needs for their achievements.
CEC already has set the wheels in motion for next year's Convention & Expo, to be held April 21 to 24 in Nashville, Tenn. But before you start planning for 2010, CEC SmartBrief has put together this wrap-up of the 2009 convention. If you don't receive CEC SmartBrief on a daily basis and find our convention wrap-up useful, we urge you to sign up for our timely e-newsletter. CEC SmartBrief delivers the stories making news in special education directly to your inbox -- for FREE. |
| News from the Show | | |
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- Montana gifted educator wins top administrative award
Montana educator Bob Runkel was presented with the Council of Administrators of Special Education's distinguished service award at the annual CEC conference in Seattle. Runkel, who is licensed as a special educator and school psychologist, is Montana's acting deputy superintendent and advocates for students who are gifted and students with special needs, said Denise Juneau, Montana's state superintendent. Independent Record (Helena, Mont.)
(4/3)
    
- Ohio students win CEC awards for overcoming challenges
Three teens from the Columbus, Ohio, area won CEC "Yes I Can!" awards. Bruce Amstutz, 17, has cognitive disabilities but has earned a 3.97 GPA in mainstream classes. Justin Martin, 12, has cerebral palsy but is a gifted poet who composes his work on a computer. Jonathan Tackett, 19, has multiple intellectual disabilities and difficulties with words, but expresses himself through art. The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio)
(4/3)
- "Yes I Can!" honoree keeps the beat
Lyndon White, 17, has multiple disabilities and cannot speak, but the Florida teen is a talented drummer who has played at Disney World and recently won a CEC "Yes I Can!" award for his accomplishments. "He's the centerpiece of what we do in our percussion ensemble," said Lyndon's music teacher, Don DeVito. "He communicates at a very high level musically." The Gainesville Sun (Fla.)
(4/5)
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| Speakers & Sessions | | |
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- Keynote: Matlin thanks special educators for their support
The encouragement of her parents, teachers and actor Henry Winkler -- then at the height of his "Happy Days" fame -- helped Marlee Matlin succeed despite being deaf, she told the special educators at the CEC annual conference. "I know," the Oscar-winning actress said, "that I am here today because people like you listened to me." SeattlePI.com
(4/2)
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| CEC Resources | | |
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CEC Convention & Expo 2010
CEC already is working on next year's event, which will be held April 21 to 24, 2010, in Nashville, Tenn. Find out more.
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2010 call for papers and presentations: On behalf of Doug and Lynn Fuchs, program co-chairs, CEC invites you to submit a proposal for CEC's 2010 Convention & Expo, April 21 to 24, 2010, in Nashville, Tenn. Deadline to submit a proposal is May 27. Find out more.
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Check out CEC's RTI Blog
CEC's RTI Blog: Exploring Response to Intervention is the place to exchange ideas and strategies for this important framework for working with struggling learners. Find out more.
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Stay in the know with CEC's blog for new teachers
CEC's flagship blog, Reality 101 for New Teachers, is designed for teachers who are new to the classroom. Find out more.
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More professional development opportunities available
If you are interested in learning while working -- or having fun -- CEC offers numerous ways to get ahead. Find out more.
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