Greg LaMore, Michigan CAN Coordinator, receives CEC’s Outstanding CAN Coordinator Award.
Each year, CEC hosts a Children and Youth Action Network (CAN) meeting for CAN coordinators.
This diverse group of individuals work tirelessly through the entire year to channel communication, gather resources, coordinate events, and motivate their members and units to advocate for children with exceptionalities nationally and at the state and local level. This year, CEC honored its CAN Coordinator of The Year, Greg LaMore, for his dedicated service to the members and consituents of Michigan. Throughout the four days of informational meetings, the CEC Policy and Advocacy Services team coordinated with legislators, staffers, and national and international educational organizations to examine and analyze the policies and practices that guide the education of students with exceptionalities.
CEC President Marilyn Friend meets with her Senator, Kay Hagan (D-NC).
Flag Day, Tuesday, June 14th, CEC stormed the Hill to advocate on behalf of students with exceptionalities. CEC’s President, Marilyn Friend, together with CEC’s Teacher of The Year, Don DeVito, and the CAN coordinators met with their congressmen and senators to discuss CEC’s recommendations on issues including: re-authorization of ESEA and the Workforce Investment Act, the Keeping All Children Safe Act, co-sponsorship of the TALENT Act, and full funding of IDEA.
Among the advocates were two incredible students from the Sidney Lanier Center in Gainesville, Florida. The students and their families traveled to the nation’s capital with Don DeVito, their music teacher and CEC’s Teacher of The Year, to tell their stories to members of Congress. A highlight of the day was the singing of the Star Spangled Banner followed by a drum cadence on the Capitol steps, led by both students and accompanied by the CAN Coordinators and passersby!
CAN Coordinators kick off Hill Day.
Another highlight of the day was the presentation of CEC’s Outstanding Public Service award to Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa. Senator Harkin has been a committed advocate of students with exceptionalities throughout his tenure as a civil servant in both the house and the senate. Senator Harkin’s personal connection to education equity for students with exceptionalities makes the presentation of this award that much more meaningful to CEC and it’s members.
Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) meets with two exceptional students, Lina Cloutier and Lyndon White, and their families.
If you have any interest in joining the CAN network in its grassroots advocacy activities, please contact the policy and advocacy services team for more information at pubpol@cec.sped.org.
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