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After watching this video, I think the CEC would be great to be a part of! They put students first, have sustainable models for what they are trying to achieve, and years of experience. I think that I would benefit from the knowledge, resources, and opportunities through the CEC. The CEC strikes me as an organization that is very supportive of new teachers, and their needs. As a first year SPED teacher, I have often found myself lost, lacking information, and needing resources. While my team is normally helpful in these circumstances, I often spend hours trying to figure things out on my own. I really value their overwhelming amounts of resources on their website, specifically the tools for new teachers.

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To be honest, I have never heard of this particular organization before; however, after watching the video and learning more about it, I think the CEC makes it known that students with disabilities count and that they matter. Any organization whose mission is to improve the education and quality of life for children and youth with exceptionalities is something that definitely appeals to me. One particular aspect that the CEC members highlight throughout the video is the idea that they fought to include the engagement of families in their mission, which I find to be extremely important. A quote from the video that really resonated with me was that “like-minded people can change the world.” (Education at Illinois) I definitely agree that amazing things can happen, and changes can be made, when individuals who share a common goal and purpose come together to work together as a team, and this is exactly what the CEC does. I think being a CEC member would be very valuable because it allows educators the opportunity to learn and grow professionally. Additionally, I liked how the members of the CEC in the video highlight the idea that another part of their mission is ultimately to continue to engage and inspire all individuals in the field of Special Education, while ensuring that families of students with disabilities are involved, especially because they are a critical part of a child’s life. With that being said, it’s important to include families in decisions around a child’s educational experience. One of the biggest reasons why I think being a member of the CEC would be valuable is because this organization allows you to bring issues and topics forward that you feel are important, and those that you’d like to discuss and address as a community. I like how this particular organization is all about change, as they are always looking for ways to improve the field of Special Education to ensure all students are successful in the classroom setting. I think this is a great organization for individuals who are looking to advocate for change, while also allowing them the opportunity to become an active member in the field of Special Education. I also liked how the members in this video discussed the progression of this organization by providing information about what the CEC was like in the past, what it looks like today, and where it’s going to go in the future. I think the CEC is a great resource for educators, families, and students as it provides a lot of highly invaluable information that is both reliable and relevant. I do believe that there are many benefits to becoming a member of the CEC, but most importantly, it has the families’ best interest in mind when working with students with disabilities.

References:

Education at Illinois. (2014, June 26). Council for Exceptional Children. Retrieved June 24, 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNPXO-ZAnHU.

- Rachel Grant

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I believe any organization that puts children at the forefront is an organization that deserves my time and attention. Especially an organization that caters to the needs of exceptional children and their families. I appreciate how the organization advocates for children and involves families in getting the children what they need to be successful in general education. Also, there are many benefits for teachers as well as families in current topics for SPED teachers, community outreach, professional development, and professionals available for people looking for information. Being a member of the CEC would provide many benefits to educators looking to expand their knowledge and to have an advocate in their corner when supporting exceptional learners.

~Jennie Bishop

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Prior to watching this video, I knew very little about CEC other than they were an older organization that had played a role in early activism about special education and special education legislation.
As an advocacy group and a group that dedicates itself to setting standards , education, and research they've certainly filled a void.  I appreciated that they've found that inclusion of families is incredibly important.  We do not do our work in isolation.  The support mechanisms are also important for educators.
Just from their work in advocacy and being a voice for educators and families who are connected in some way to the special education field, they're incredibly relevant and valuable. I looked up their state organization and it looks like they offer opportunities locally for educators to continue learning.

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After watching the video on the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), I think this organization is very valuable.  Any organization that uses evidence based research to help better serve individuals in through special education is very much needed!  I think the way this organization runs seems very well thought-out and thorough and is a great resource for all involved.

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After watching the video on the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), I think this organization is very valuable.  Any organization that uses evidence based research to help better serve individuals in through special education is very much needed!  I think the way this organization runs seems very well thought-out and thorough and is a great resource for all involved.

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-Alexandra Schulz

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I think the CEC is amazing. I have honestly never heard about this association, but I am so glad that I was able to learn about the CEC. I have heard about associations that say that they help, but actually don't and this association actually makes a difference. I would definitely get a membership to this association. The fact that they help teachers and families and really anybody that works with children with special needs is such an awesome thing. A lot of people that work with children with special needs know how hard it can be so having somebody behind you through the journey is the best thing that could happen.
-Crystal Del Aguila

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The Council for Exceptional Children is an excellent organization that provides resources and support. The services can be beneficial for all educators who serve students with special needs, but also parents of individuals with special needs. As a future special education teacher, I think it is important to support such an organization because advocacy is so important for families with an individual with special needs. Another fact I like about the CEC is that they provide evidence based research. Families and educators can depend on this for support.  I had never heard of the CEC until now and I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about it.

Amber Norberg

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I think membership to the CEC would be vary valuable for special education ion teachers as well as parents and community members because they work to advocate for the needs of exceptional students. One area that stood out to me that was discussed in the video was the area of accountability and the CEC’s goal of looking at what that accountability looks looks like for students receiving special education services because as the speaker said “they matter” but measuring accountability for some of these students would need to look different because their needs and abilities are different.

Amber Solmonson

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After observing the video on what a CEC meeting looks like it appears that in every meeting that they go over the areas that the CEC covers and they ways that they advocate for them. It was nice to see that there are different individuals that come to every meeting and talk about their focus areas. It was also nice to see that they discuss the history of the organization and the individuals that have had an influence in the council. It was also nice that they talked about their personal history in special education. From this information I think being a member of the council can be essential to bettering the individuals that work with individuals that have special needs. It is also a great resource for all educators that may have any involvement of working with individuals with special needs.
~Alizabeth Nelson

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After watching the video about the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), I think having a membership would be very valuable.  The CEC helps provide supports for teachers, families, and others who work with students with exceptionalities.  Many of the leaders in the field of special education are also valuable members of the CEC.  Some of the benefits of the CEC are a community of support, quality research, a history of the special education field, professional preparation, and an opportunity to talk with other professionals who are parents of exceptional students.  The CEC also helps advocate for parents with students who have exceptionalities.

-Sarah Hengel

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I learned all about CEC (Council for Exceptional Students). It started in 1922 by Elizabeth Farrell.   I have never heard of this  organization and all of the excellent benefits.  CEC is a great resource for educators, family members, students, and parents to help give great information on special education and gifted and talented students. They have solid research that is reliable to use as a great resource and to help others who are new to special education/gifted and talented and are looking for answers. They are going internationally as well.  They are wanting to have students as the voice and represent this organization too.  They'll advocate for families and support them.  It helps shape and establish the foundations through their website, volunteering opportunities, and service to members to CEC. We all can benefit from this organization!

Mali Johnson

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I think that i personally would benefit from being apart of this community. Just by watching that video gave me insight to changes I wasn't aware of. It is so much knowledge that you can gain from this group that would not only advance your career but also enhance the skill level so that you can better work with your students or clients. They provide a great deal of resources across the map. What impressed me that this is community that is built of families as well as teachers. Everyone can benefit from this organization.
Kelly Brown

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The video explained important information about what the CEC is and what it has to offer students, parents and teachers dealing with the challenges of special needs.  It also explained their vital role in advocating for children with disabilities.  A membership certainly seems beneficial and something I would be interested in looking into.  As they mentioned, leadership is not only a role, it’s a responsibility, and I am happy that CEC is filling this critical role.
- Chavie H.

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I think that a CEC membership could be valuable to many different people. People who are special education teachers, people who have someone in their family with an exceptionality, or even people who work in other fields that require them to work with people with exceptionalities could all benefit in some form from a membership. CEC provides support to both professionals and families. They also provide evidence based research that you know is reliable. CEC also works for change for the better through federal policy change. For people who are new to special education, they provide information on what special education has looked like historically and they provide other special education knowledge. There are different forms of memberships meant to meet the needs of different people.
-Sam Heilman

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I think the CEC is a great resource or people, both for professionals in the field and families. There are so many resources out there to support people with disabilities it can be overwhelming to know where to start. I think that a membership would provide teachers and families some direction. While I don't think that all people (professionals / families) should get a CEC membership, I do think they should align with some organization. That way they are able to meet people, stay up to date on research/ laws, receive the support they need and are part of a community.

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CEC works hard to determine what the criteria/qualification are for evidence based research. I also really liked that they brought up advocacy. This is a life long skill that all children need to learn and practice but especially students with disabilities as they are not always offered the same experiences or opportunities. I think that getting CEC membership is a personal opinion. They seem to offer similar support as many school districts as well as NEA. They offer teacher evaluations and support. I think that getting membership depends on what each teacher needs.
- Abby Kuzara

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I think the CEC is a great organization to provide resources and help for professionals and families of students with disabilities. The CEC advocates for children with disabilities as well.  It also focuses ion regulations and funding. It also played a part in creating IDEA (which I did not know). The CEC would be very beneficial for people with disabilities, professionals that work with people with disabilities and family members of people with disabilities.

-Catie H.

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CEC is a wonderful organization providing support to families of children with special needs. CEC helped the schools value family partnership , after all, the child is at home for longer than at school. CEC's primary goal is to provide advocacy for change in the students' growth. The specific goals for each stage of life have to be targeted and addressed so change can occur. CEC goes out to find out what the standards are for each stage to ensure that the proper interventions are given. CEC also provides support for the children giving them hope and security that their lives and their skills do matter to the world. CEC is providing valuable resources which I hope to use in my classroom. I think any classroom would benefit from the goals and mindset of CEC.
- Rena S

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As someone who has 9 years of classroom/ regular education experience and is new to the special education world - a membership to CEC definitely appeals to me. I want to do more research to find out about the tiered membership that was mentioned. I love the fact that they are a leading organization in special education research, and that they view research with a critical eye before presenting it. Knowing the validity  and reputable source of where information is something that the learner in me aligns with. This is an organization that has families' best interests at heart as well, and would be important for the families we work with to know about.

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As someone who has 9 years of classroom/ regular education experience and is new to the special education world - a membership to CEC definitely appeals to me. I want to do more research to find out about the tiered membership that was mentioned. I love the fact that they are a leading organization in special education research, and that they view research with a critical eye before presenting it. Knowing the validity  and reputable source of where information is something that the learner in me aligns with. This is an organization that has families' best interests at heart as well, and would be important for the families we work with to know about.

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-Brittney

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The day-to-day activities and tasks of a special education teacher are governed by federal law. However, federal regulation doesn't always equal best practice. CEC is a resource specific to our field and provides guidance in using best practice in our classrooms, when working with students and when collaborating  with parents and regular education staff. I feel that the CEC is especially valuable for those new to the field of special education.

# data[].attributes.subject
The day-to-day activities and tasks of a special education teacher are governed by federal law. However, federal regulation doesn't always equal best practice. CEC is a resource specific to our field and provides guidance in using best practice in our classrooms, when working with students and when collaborating  with parents and regular education staff. I feel that the CEC is especially valuable for those new to the field of special education.

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-jill

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I think CEC is a great organization to continue the work of equal rights for students and people with exceptional abilities.  They examines policy issues, develops appropriate responses to those issues and influences local, state, provincial and federal legislation. CEC also monitors and makes recommendations for program regulations and funding.  They are helping to make the resources I need for my classroom available. 

# data[].attributes.subject
I think CEC is a great organization to continue the work of equal rights for students and people with exceptional abilities.  They examines policy issues, develops appropriate responses to those issues and influences local, state, provincial and federal legislation. CEC also monitors and makes recommendations for program regulations and funding.  They are helping to make the resources I need for my classroom available. 

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~Nicole P