Abstract
It is with great enthusiasm that I extend a heartfelt hello to each of you as we begin another impactful year together. As your president, I am honored to represent such a passionate and dedicated group of individuals committed to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. I want to express my gratitude for Kareem Thompson, who is the current Past President, and Angie Jasper, our outgoing Past President. Their guidance and leadership have been invaluable to me and the organization. Also, I want to welcome Ben Tillotson into the role of President-Elect. I am honored to serve with this dynamic group of leaders, who bring a wealth of knowledge, skills, and experiences. These meaningful connections inspire me to be a better leader and special education professional.
Throughout my 27-year career in special education, connections with others in the field helped cultivate a collaborative approach, providing me with vital insights and resources. These connections improve practices while also fostering a sense of belonging. The Council for Exceptional Children has long been a beacon of advocacy, support, and professional development within the field. Our collective efforts have played a pivotal role in shaping inclusive practices to help ensure every child has access to the education and opportunities they deserve. The experiences and insights you bring to our organization are invaluable. Through our connections, we share innovative strategies, promote best practices, and influence policies that support exceptional learners across all settings.
Throughout my career, I have witnessed a transformation in how and where we teach children and students with disabilities. As reported in the 45th Annual Report to Congress on the Implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, approximately 70% of students with disabilities spend 80% or more of their school day in general education classrooms. This is a significant increase from when I started my career as a high school special education teacher over 25 years ago. Although this shift is promising, we must ensure all education professionals receive the preparation and ongoing support they need to teach effectively and meaningfully include all learners. One of my goals as CEC President is to strengthen partnerships with general education professionals to help provide this support. I am excited about our 2025 convention strand, which focuses on this theme, and I hope you will bring your general education colleagues! Do you have ideas for how to partner with general education professionals along with recommendations for providing professional learning opportunities and resources? I would love to connect with you!
This year, we will focus on enhancing our professional development offerings, expanding our advocacy initiatives, and strengthening our partnerships with families and communities. I encourage you to embrace the power of connections by actively engaging in CEC. Your voice is crucial; it drives the conversations that lead to real change. Whether through virtual professional development fairs, webinars, or our annual convention, there are countless opportunities for you to share your expertise and learn from one another.
Additionally, I invite you to strengthen your connections by sharing and collaborating in the online CEC Community. Our community thrives on the exchange of ideas and experiences, and your participation enriches our collective knowledge. Together, we can harness the power of connections to elevate the standards of education for individuals with exceptionalities.
As we begin a new year, we will stay committed to our vision of a high-quality education that is inclusive and equitable for individuals with disabilities. I am excited to witness the growth and achievements we will accomplish together this year as we continue to celebrate and elevate the profession. I look forward to connecting with you! Thank you for your dedication, your passion, and your tireless efforts.