TN CEC President’s Winter Newsletter 2024
Greetings!
This is the first of many future (Tennessee CEC) Presidential Newsletters to come your way. These newsletters will keep you informed about current happenings, connect you with invaluable resources, and help you gain value in your membership. Newsletters will be sent four times each year in the winter, spring, fall, and summer. We are thrilled to bring this new connection point to our valued Tennessee Council for Exceptional Children members.
Reflecting on Our Past.
As our 2021-2023 President, Dr. Amy Callender, moves to the office of Past-President, we are truly appreciative of her time and commitment. Her legacy will continue to impact our organization for years to come.
As I move into the position of Presidency, I am reminded of the importance of reflecting on where we have been, to more fully appreciate where we are headed. When I first joined the TN-CEC Executive Board in early 2022, we were just turning the post-Covid corner, and so much of our landscape as professionals and family members had changed. Many of us felt distanced from our students and isolated as professionals. We needed each other as much as we needed new resources to navigate this unknown territory. It was during the time, that the board held tightly to the idea that we should move forward, together, as a community. And the best way to achieve this goal was to reconvene our annual conference that we had missed for several years running.
This past October marked our second state conference since the Covid-19 pandemic. As a Unit, we shared stories and learned new strategies for supporting each other, our students, and families. As the field of exceptional education continues to evolve at lightning speed, we truly aspire to make the conference our Unit’s yearly tradition. We sincerely hope that more and more of you can join us.
Transitioning to New Beginnings.
I am thrilled to be continuing my journey with CEC. This is my twenty-third year working as an educator in special education, and I have enjoyed every second of my professional journey. I will hold this position for two years, and in that time, I am hopeful that you will build new relationships with one another and find greater value in your membership. A top priority will be to connect you with accessible resources to make your life as an educator, professional, or family member - better. In fact, each forthcoming newsletter will contain information about resources that you can apply and use immediately.
WE are on a mission to grow our Unit and support you to thrive professionally. If you want to be a part of our growth, consider applying for a position on our board, becoming a committee member, or volunteering at the state conference. To get started, click this link and complete the form to tell us more about your interest in supporting our work at TN-CEC! Some opportunities are exclusive to our election cycle happening now (see form for more information), while others are newly formed in alignment with our TN-CEC goals and vision for the future of our field.
Wishing you a warm winter season,
Alicia Pence,
TN-CEC President