Reality 101: CEC's blog for new teachers

Kathy: Having Students Speak for Themselves

There is one session from the CEC 2010 Convention & Expo that has so inspired me: “Project My Voice” is about helping young adult students make a video about themselves. It gives them the opportunity to show what they can do, what they like and what they dream of doing in the future. 

I love how it was presented.  The speaker has a sister who has special needs.  She started by telling us about her sister.  Then she showed us the video of her sister.  I was amazed at what I learned about this special person that words could not capture. 

One scene is of the young woman playing cards, but you soon realize that she looks at the cards before dealing them and gives all the best cards to one special player.  Think about what skills that requires!  I had underestimated this young woman. 

Jennifer: Discovering DISES

I have to admit, it has been a little difficult to write about the CEC convention after looking at pictures of the flooding back in Nashville. With my own camera I took light- and people-filled photos of the Gaylord Opryland identical to those now captured by various news outlets and YouTube clips, showing the water that has overtaken the grounds. It is altogether heartbreaking and so eerie to think that less than two weeks ago, we were all together seeing old friends, making new ones, and having a fantastic time.

I have incredibly fond memories of this year’s conference. I learned so many new things and was introduced to a wide array of opportunities to grow that I had not previously known of. One of the eye-opening presentations that I attended was for and by CEC’s Division of International Special Education and Services (DISES), entitled “Becoming International.” I am embarrassed to say I had no idea that DISES existed before—a good reminder to get the most out of my CEC membership by investigating everything available to me (they didn’t tell me to say that, I promise…).