Thinking about Professional Membership and Networking
By: Carrie Portrie, EC-SEAT Project Coordinator At the end of each year, I am reminded to renew my student membership with the Council for Exceptional Children. The Council for Exceptional Children's Mission is: "a professional association of educators dedicated to advancing the success of children with exceptionalities. We accomplish our mission through advocacy, standards, and professional development." I am part of two divisions within this larger organization the Division for Early Childhood and the Technology and Media Division . The Division for Early Childhood (DEC): "promotes policies and advances evidence-based practices that support families and enhance the optimal development of young children (0-8) who have or are at risk for developmental delays and disabilities. DEC is an international membership organization for those who work with or on behalf of young children (0-8) with disabilities and other special needs and their families....