The March 19th addition of the Policy Insider focused on discipline disparities between students of color and white students, as well as, students with and without disabilities. Studies have shown that students with disabilities and students of color are suspended at higher rates than white students and those without disabilities.

"Far from making our schools safer or improving student behavior, the steadily increasing use of suspension and expulsion puts students - especially students of color and other targeted groups - at an increased risk of academic disengagement, dropout and contact with juvenile justice," said CEC member, Russell J. Skiba, the Collaborative's project director and a professor at Indiana University.

Please go to the following link and read about the alternative and useful interventions that have proven to reduce racial and educational disparities in discipline. Alternatives to suspension include: Improving School/ Community relationships Restorative Practices Problem Solving Approaches to Challenging Behaviors Social-Emotional Learning Teacher Training Programs focused on Student Engagement Increasing the Strength and Quality of Classroom Activities Read more about these promising techniques at: Policy Insider

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New Jersey Council for Exceptional Children

NJCEC March Conference

"Connecting Students to Success"

Theodora Murphy

This March I had the pleasure of spending St. Patrick's day attending the NJCEC spring conference. The theme was "Connecting Students to Success". The conference kicked off with an awards ceremony honoring Mike Feltmann, NJCEC's 2014 Teacher of the Year; and Susan Kiely, recipient of the NJEC Shining Superstar Award. Congratulations go to the 2013-2014 scholarship winners from Morris County School of Technology, Michael Andreula, Staci Mannella, and Salavatore Accumanno! Congratulations and best wishes!

This year's keynote speaker was Dr. Peggy McDonald. She presented a video from the Teaching Channel demonstrating how one teacher has her students work at their own pace from a "learning menu". Students choose from various activities to complete an assignment, allowing them a choice and giving them an investment in their own education. Dr. McDonald further discussed the common core state standards, as well as benchmark assessments. She stressed that we must maintain higher expectations and access to grade level instruction as well as embedded skills to help meet the needs of struggling learners.

Attendees were able to choose from over 36 workshops sessions. Included were workshops on the PARCC assessment, vocabulary building, inclusion, differentiation in the classroom, early childhood ideas, assessment and technology. The presenters had a plethora of information to share with the attendees.

The conference has a great turnout and I look forward to the next NJCEC conference!

CEC National Conference- Philadelphia - SUMMARY

Theodora Murphy

This year, the City of Brotherly Love was host to CEC members from around the country. The convention was a high energy, inspiring gathering of professionals. The convention offered pre-convention workshops, educational site visits, and hundreds of inspiring sessions. There were social events, and subcommittee meetings, high-energy exhibitor showcases, and of course the extensive expo!

The expo blasted off following the President's Welcome with a live band in full dress, and a reception for all attendees. Vendors included various school districts, special needs schools, universities, publishers, and small businesses that cater specifically to exceptional children.

Philadelphia was beautiful and we could not have asked for more beautiful weather. Reading Terminal Market and the historical districts of the city were an added bonus to enjoy before and after the conference!

A new feature this year to CEC was the ability to obtain professional development hours for sessions. All in all, teachers left the CEC National Conference refreshed, inspired, and excited to be in the greatest profession on Earth!

Leadership Strategies to Enhance Team Outcome

Dr. Lynn DeCapua

The 2014 CEC Convention offered hundreds of sessions including 16 preconference workshops. Dr. Wendy Murawski, President of the Teacher Education Division of CEC, and Dr. Lisa Dieker, professor at the University of Central Florida, modeled best practices in co-teaching as they co-presented highlights from their book, Leading the Co-Teaching Dance: Leadership Strategies to Enhance Team Outcome, at a preconference workshop. Their book helps co-teachers learn all the right moves for effective co-teaching in inclusive classrooms. Based on nearly a decade of work in over 40 school districts, Murawski and Dieker share their insights including the benefits of co-teaching, building team partnerships, finding time to co-plan, and implementing models of co-teaching. The authors stress the importance of data collection and feedback for improvement. The book also includes templates to assist in co-planning, co-instructing, and co-assessing.

For additional resources on co-teaching, see Rebecca Hines and Lisa Dieker's e-book 20 Tools for the Collaborative Classroom: Getting the Most from your Partnerships. This interactive book includes planning forms, links to online tools, strategies and more to help co-teachers get the most from every learner.

I attended the Representative Assembly sessions for the first time this year. Many states sent representatives. The sessions involved working in small groups with facilitators to brainstorm the top priorities that CEC should focus on during the next year. Some of the key ideas that were discussed included how to increase membership and what services our members want to receive in the areas of education, networking, information, and legislation. Many participants felt members wanted more access to online services and classes and cost effective webinars on a broader range of topics. Furthermore, there was discussion about what would entice new teachers entering the workforce to join CEC.

There were also discussions about how the following areas are impacting teachers: professional competition and structure, the shrinking workforce of teachers, global economic and environmental factors, technology and science, and legislation and regulation.

In addition, I attended several sessions on Aligning the Common Core, Close Reading Strategies, Dyslexia, and Monitoring Writing. All sessions were well attended and informative. It was a great conference!

Paulette Fox

Representative Assembly/ Membership Chair

NJCEC 2014 Award Winners

Barry M. Schwartz, NJCEC VP and Scholarship Chair

I'd like to thank the scholarship committee; Lynn DeCapua and Julie Good who all spent many hours reading the applications, scoring them and helping to decide who would be our winners today.

NJCEC Student Scholarship Winners

Salvatore Accumanno

Salvatore attends the Morris County School of Technology in Denville. He plans on working on an associates degree in microcomputer technical support. He is a member of the Sons of American Legions working with veterans, a member of the Young Republican's club and involved with cell phones for soldiers and Fisher House to raise money for soldiers and their families. He had a summer internship with Prudential working in their global business technology solutions department and enjoys reading drawing and watching old movies. He plans on attending Morris County College in the fall.

Mr. Rosado his digital /visual arts teacher states that Salvatore creates compositions with such focus that he helps set the tone for the entire class. He thrives on hard work and distinguishes himself as an energetic student both inside and outside the classroom. Congratulations Salvatore.

Michael Andreula

Michael also attends the Morris County School of Technology in Denville. He is planning on studying game art and animation next year. He is a member of the environmental club, the weight lifting club as well being involved in student government and working on the yearbook. He is an active member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church youth group and has interned at Idea Village in Wayne and worked as a game manager in Parsippany. He enjoys drawing and creating pieces of art.

Ms. Eckoff, one of Michael's teachers, writes that Michael works hard to meet the demands of the curriculum and is highly motivated to learn new concepts. He is conscientious about his work and always strives to go above and beyond in his work. He will be attending Champlain College in Vermont in the fall. Congratulations, Michael.

Staci Mannella

Staci could not join us as she was at the International Paralalympics being held in Socci. She is competing as a member of the US Paralalympic Alpine Ski Team as the youngest member and was highlighted in the New York Times Sports Section.

Staci has spent hundred of hours training for the accomplishment, as well as spending time volunteering at the Heart of God Stables and around the globe as a motivational speaker. She is a world cup gold medalist, a winter part open gold medalist and has one countless other medals. Just check out her website: stacimannella.com.

Staci has attended Morris County School of Technology academy for veterinary sciences. She has earned college credit at NJIT and is currently taking 3 AP classes online. She also attended Tuft University veterinary's summer program this past summer.

Ms. Dessel, her math teacher, writes that her passion for animals is as big as her passion for skiing. She exhibits true responsibility completing her assignments on time, coming prepared for class while putting in 100% effort into everything she does. She has a positive attitude with strong leadership skills and a passion for learning. She will be attending Dartmouth College in the fall. Congratulations Staci.

"NJCEC Shining Star Award"

Susan Keily

Susan has her undergraduate degree from St. Francis College and a master's degree from the College of Staten Island. Before coming to NJ she taught at the intermediate school in Brooklyn and she currently teaches in Ramsey initially as a Resource Center Teacher and now working in a Multiply Disabled class.

Susan is joined today by her husband John as well as her colleague Lisa Moment and the director of special services Fredericka Shpetner from Ramsey, as well as her High School principal, Dr. Michael Thumm and her superintendent, Dr. Matthew Murphy.

The Ramsey High School MD program includes a team of highly dedicated teachers, assistants, therapists and child study team member. Their approach, and the success of their students, begins with fostering a caring community environment that celebrates all accomplishments big or small. The philosophy is to begin instruction at a point of success each day. Each skill is a stepping-stone to the next. The student's progress is propelled forward by activities that are individualized to allow each person to achieve their greatest potential. The students and staff come together as a team each day to accomplish goals that will lead to increased independency, better problem solving and communication. Each and every person contributes to our students' success. The staff helps the students recognize their strengths and celebrate their progress. Ultimately their focus is each day to help students became as independent as possible and ready for the future. Susan is a valuable part of this process and as a result is our NJCEC Shining Star.

Teacher of The Year April 2014

Mike Feltmann

Mr. Feltman currently works at the Rahway 7th and 8th Grade Academy working in both inclusive and pull-out environments. Within his position he uses effective innovative instructional techniques, he increases student achievement of the core curriculum standards through a student-centered environment, utilizes educational technology in an effective and efficient manner, establishes a positive classroom climate and rapport with his students and helps his students develop a feeling of self-worth and love of learning.

So how does he do all of this? Well, he sets very high expectations for all of his students, constantly working on critical thinking and higher level problem solving skills and challenging his students daily to strive toward excellence. By creating warm and comforting relationships with his students and their parents, he keeps conducive learning to a maximum and distractions to a minimum. Mr. Feltmann keeps his learning environment stimulating, challenging and dynamic and as a result students begin to believe in themselves. By providing different learning options, Mr. Feltmann challenges all of his students to reach their potential.

Barbara Pyne, Program Supervisor of Special Education, writes that Mr. Feltmann has demonstrated consistent dedication and professionalism in his quest for excellence throughout his day. This drive is apparent, not only in his role as a teacher, but also as an instructional support for his colleagues. Mr. Feltmann acts on the belief that every student can learn and that all can master a challenging curriculum with appropriate accommodations. He sets quantifiable learning outcomes for students and holds the students accountable for meeting those objectives. He creates an organized classroom that maximizes engaged student learning time and establishes and maintains respectful, productive partnerships with families in support of student learning and well-being.

Mr. Alan Johnson, Principal, states that Mr. Feltmann creates an organized classroom that maximizes engaged student learning time and establishes and maintains respectful, productive partnerships with families in support of student learning and well-being. He has been the lead facilitator in developing our NJASK opportunity sessions program and has been the building's strongest advocate for the special education children, often providing feedback, criticism and gentle suggestions to advance the services offered. The committee could not have selected a more fitting person as Teacher of the Year.

Mr. Feltmann became involved with CEC as an undergraduate student at Kean University where he was president of his student chapter. Through his teaching experience he has served as secretary and student advisor since 2009. All of us on the board are all proud of his accomplishments. Congratulations to our NJCEC Teacher of the Year.

Conference Opportunities

Parents and Professionals

Friday, May 16 9:00-3:30

All About Math: A Conference on Dyscalculia

The National Conference Center

at the Holiday Inn, East Windsor, NJ 08520

Details and registration: http://ldanjMay16.eventbrite.com

This information is being provided as a courtesy by NJCEC. NJCEC does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the information.

Job Opportunities

Summer Jobs - Special Educators - Sleepaway Camp & Travel programs

Positions available at Summit Camp & Travel - like a 24/7 social skills environment, we are a camp for children with issues of ADD/ADHD- ASD-NVLD-mild LD - Aspergers - and/or mild social concerns. Our campers, ages 8-19, are great - but often march to a slightly different drummer and would not find success in a neuro typical camp setting.. We are looking for skilled and energetic staff to work as counselors, specialty area instructors, adventure staff, waterfront staff, and travel staff (shorter employment to some exciting destinations). All positions provide room and board and salaries based on experience. Please learn more about us and apply online at www.summitcamp.com

This information is being provided as a courtesy by NJCEC. NJCEC does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the information.

Newsletter E-Blast

Editor - Dr. Julie Norflus-Good

Copy Editor - Dr. Anne DeGroot
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