RESOURCES

CEC- National Conference: What a Buffet!
 

I recently had the opportunity to travel to National Harbor, Md., for the CEC 2011 Convention – a “premier professional development event.”  I thought it would be a great opportunity to hear numerous professionals outline state-of-the-art, evidenced-based practices in the field of special education.  Everything I read on the CEC website supported a foundation for an outstanding conference.  However, being someone who does not believe everything on the Internet is true, I prepared myself for a conference with an overall score of 5 on a 10-point scale.

 

I drove to Northern Va. with my family’s 2003 GPS (a GPS that hasn’t been updated in the last 8 years) having left backup directions from every Sped Director from Bedford to Loudon County in my printer.  Well, the GPS shorted out; the air conditioning quit; and, the Virginia Department of Transportation seem to have forgotten about my emailed notice that I would be traveling to Northern Va. , as there were major delays due to road construction!  Needless to say, I arrived and the air conditioning started to work again the moment I parked the car.

 

I decided to check my session schedule before touring the vendor fair.  The number of sessions to pick from was a monumental task and made me feel like I was standing in front of a 30 foot long buffet table of seafood.   You know the feeling, better to fill up on lobster than baked potatoes and spinach salad.  

 

The conference “Strands” provide an opportunity to explore important educational topics in-depth through a series of three to four conceptually and developmentally linked sessions. This setting allowed for exchanging ideas with colleagues and with strand leaders and presenters--all experts in their fields.

 

CEC’s Divisions select and plan Division showcase sessions, which address critical issues and substantive trends related to the mission of each division. Sessions on: Special Education Teacher Effectiveness; Using Technology to Support Instruction; High-Quality Research, and Adolescent Literacy were well received by participants.

 

I visited the vendor area and was once again faced with the “buffet.”  I handled the challenge by visiting the vendor area several times throughout the conference. It was interesting to see what has been developed to help students with disabilities be successful in a standards-based curriculum.  

 

I left the conference with new ideas, an endorsement for Special Education Administrators’ participation in conferences and staff development ideas during tough economic times.  As you are fully aware, Special Education research is ongoing and we need opportunities to keep up with What Works so we can help our students experience success.

 

Ultimately, the conference was outstanding, a 10 out of 10.  If you have an opportunity to take part in a CEC National Conference, I encourage you to take time from your busy schedule to attend. Students in your school division will benefit from what you gather at the buffet!

 

Have a great year!  

 

Wyllys, Past President VCASE