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Election 2009 Candidates
Member-at-Large, Diverse Ethnic and Multicultural Groups
Mark Charles Francis
Juan Portley
Mark Charles Francis
Director of Special Education
Wayne County Regional Education Service Agency (RESA)
Wayne, Michigan, USA
Education:
Bachelor of Social Work, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 1984
Masters of Social Work, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 1985
Education Specialist in Special Education Administration-Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 1991
Major Career Experience and Achievements:
- Principal 9 Years - Center Program that serviced students with all cognitive disability levels & severe emotional impairments
- County ISD Director - Cass & Wayne (largest in Michigan)
- Worked w/ Oakland CMH – state’s first Latchkey for students with developmental disabilities
- Wrote/secured grant to develop summer program for students with emotional impairments
- Opened Michigan’s first Dual Diagnosis program
- Worked with CMH in securing grants and developing a summer Respite and Recreation program for students with moderate mental impairments
- Worked with Michigan DoE to change the Administrative Rules for certification. This allowed ancillary staff to become certified in special education administration
- 2003 winner, Michigan Administrators Association of Special Education (MAASE)
- Beacon Award for career work
- Testified before the State Board and a Joint Committee of State Representatives and State Senators on issues in Michigan
CEC Leadership History:
Length of Membership: 13 years
CEC Leadership Positions Held and Major Achievements:
- Current Past President of the Michigan CEC
- Presenter at CEC Annual Convention & Expo in 2008 & 2009
- State Presenter for Michigan CEC 2001 Conference Planning Committee
- Raised approximately $30,000.00 for state conference in my four years on State CEC Executive Board
- Past Chairperson for Michigan CEC Foundation. The Foundation raises money for scholarships for students that have either an IEP or 504
- Raised approximately $25,000.00 for the Foundation over the last 4 years.
Other Relevant Professional and Volunteer Activities:
- Project Leader - Mini Grants -Michigan Administrators Association of Special Education (MAASE)
- Project Leader, MAASE Golf Outing, proceeds went to state CEC Foundation which raises scholarship money for students with current IEP’s
- Chairperson - Oakland County ISD PBS Committee
- Consultant for Oakland ISD on Severe Behavioral Issues
- Chairperson for administrator of programs for students with significant behavioral issues and students with cognitive impairments in Oakland County
- Volunteer coach Special Olympic teams
- Little League Coach
- Volunteer Basketball Coach
- Board Member-Open Door Outreach Golf Outing; Sub Division
- Served as Chairperson for the Waterford Foundation Fund Raising Committee
- Viet Nam Era Veteran
- American Legion-Member
Candidate Statements:
Leadership. I have been blessed with great mentor leaders. I have learned that there is a difference between leaders and managers. While organizations need both, it is the leaders that develop a vision and inspire others to move in that direction. I strive to be a leader. Providing positive leadership comes with risks and challenges. I believe in seeking solutions that may be ‘outside the box”. I also believe in doing what we know is right for students, even when it meets resistance. I have a good understanding of the serious issues that we face in our field today.
Diversity. In some situations, our Country has let our differences stand in the way of progress. However education has stepped up and addressed diversity in unique ways. Special education and CEC has worked hard over the decades to help our society learn to accept people with diverse abilities. As a Native American growing up in the inner city of Detroit, my background has given me a little different view of the world I bring to the table. I have a clear understanding of what Ruby Payne discusses in generational poverty and use this reference in my profession. CEC offers diverse populations opportunities.
Goals for CEC and the Field.
- I believe we need to continue working towards full funding of Special Education.
- I believe we need to work with Institutes of Higher Education on appropriate training for teachers so they have the skills to work with diverse groups of students with different learning styles. These skills would include Differentiated Instruction, Universal Design, and Effective Classroom Management.
- I believe we need National Standards. There are too many differences among states. One example is the various methods used to determine States’ AYP. It’s like comparing apples and oranges. Consideration could also be given to working at an accepted National RTI Model.
Juan Portley
Transition Consultant
Northeast Regional Education Cooperative
SPPIP Grant Project
Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
Education:
Ph.D., Special Education, University of Oklahoma, 2006-2009
M.Ed., Special Education, Pennsylvania State University, 1999-2001
B.S., Psychology, University of Oregon, 1997-1998
Major Career Experience and Achievements:
Completing my M.Ed. from the Penn State Native American Leadership Program (1999-2001) and my doctorate from the University of Oklahoma in Special Education (2006-2009) have prepared me for training students and teachers while developing solid professional development for the struggling communities I choose to work with directly. Serving the various capacities within the American school system (teacher (2001-2003), department chair (2001-2003), regional coordinator (2003-2006) has shown me the value in direct learning experiences.
CEC Leadership History:
Length of Membership: 3 years
CEC Leadership Positions Held and Major Achievements:
Strong leadership opportunities have allowed for national and regional influences on such boards as the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity (2007), advisory board for the National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center (2006-2009), New Mexico State Performance Plan Improvement Project (2008-present), President of the Educational Graduate Organization at OU (2008-2009), DCDT Diversity Committee (2007-present), and many others. These experiences have demonstrated the value in being involved at the highest level of decision making for organizations that strive to improve their practices. (Other leadership services listed below under Professional Service). Member Division of Career Development and Transition (DCDT) and the Division for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Exceptional Learners (DDEL). Member of the Oklahoma CEC Unit.
Other Relevant Professional and Volunteer Activities:
University Teaching
- Lead Instructor, Transition and Self-Determination, 2007
- Guest Lecturer, Minority Education Perspectives in Transition, 2007
- Co-taught, Transition and Self-Determination, 2006
- Teaching Assistant, Counseling Psychology, 1998
Professional Service
- Regional School Facilitator, June 2009
- State Team Facilitator, National and State Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center Institutes, 2007-2009
- Oklahoma Transition Institute Content Expert for Cultural Issues, 2008
- Advisory Council Member, 2008
- School Team Facilitator, New Mexico Cadre Transition Institute, 2005/2006, 2008
- Volunteered to speak with school-aged American Indian students, 2007
- Oklahoma Transition Institute Content Panelist for Cultural Issues, 2007
- Member of New Mexico Transition Cadre, September, 2003–present
Professional Academic Service
- Guest Reviewer for JPED, 2007-2008
- Proposal reviewer for Teacher Education Division, Division of Career Development & Transition, 2007–2008
- Zarrow Center Annual Report Committee, 2007-present
Membership in Professional Associations
- Oklahoma Transition Institute
- University of Oklahoma Educational Graduate Organization
- Psi Chi: Psychology Honor Society: University of Oregon
Candidate Statements:
Leadership. My leadership opportunities, as a student, teacher, coordinator, and higher education professional, have allowed for collaborative efforts across a wide range of professional working groups. My advocacy for students with disabilities and organizational leadership will serve the CEC well. The alliances and interests made through my associations with Divisions and Caucuses of the CEC will enable me to reflect a wide range of perspectives as a CEC Board of Director.
Diversity. Advancing diversity within CEC and the special education profession comes with building capacity from existing professionals representing diverse backgrounds and pedagogies. The production and dissemination of research and practices that work should derive from communities and populations that achieve the least in both academics as well as postsecondary achievement. Developing diversity within the CEC will grow when practices reflect relevance and direct origin from diverse communities.
Goals for CEC and the Field. My goals consist of promoting perspectives and objectives that produce better student outcomes for diverse communities serving students with disabilities. I will work closely with various Divisions and Caucuses to develop an alignment of the different visions in order to better promote training needs, research, and practice for students of diverse backgrounds. My ultimate goal for the profession aims at producing effective practices that work across a multitude of student groups and needs.
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