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Election 2009 Candidates
Student Representative to the CEC Representative Assembly
Aaron L. Hollinger
Lourdes Telena
Aaron L. Hollinger
New York University
New York, New York, USA
Education:
Advanced Certificate in Educational Leadership, New York University, Proposed Graduation, May 2010
M.Ed., Educational Administration, University of Nebraska-Omaha, 2008
B.S Special Education, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2006
Major Career Experience and Achievements:
| 2008-2009 |
Department Leader of Papillion-La Vista School District’s Young Adult Transition Program. The focus of this program is to prepare individuals ages 18-21 for their career and/or vocation after graduation |
| 2006-2008 |
Education Teacher at Papillion-La Vista South High School with the primary focus of developing and managing vocational opportunities for students with an array of disabilities |
| 2005-2006 |
Ann Kreiter Memorial Scholarship; University of Nebraska-Lincoln |
| 2003-2006 |
Center Memorial Scholarship; University of Nebraska-Lincoln |
| 2002 |
Presidential Freedom Scholarship; University of Nebraska-Lincoln |
CEC Leadership History:
Length of Membership: 4 years
CEC Leadership Positions Held and Major Achievements:
- Nebraska CEC Board Member, 2008-2009
- Nebraska CEC Children and Youth Action (CAN) Coordinator, 2008-2009
- Presenter, “Federal and State Legislative News in Special Education,” 2008 Nebraska CEC Conference
Other Relevant Professional and Volunteer Activities:
- Active Teaching and Administrative Certificates, Nebraska and New York State
- Member, American Association of School Administrators, 2009
- Member, School Administrators Association of New York State, 2009
- Member, Phi Delta Kappa, 2007-2009
- On-Site Staff, Developmental Services of Nebraska (Residential Facilities for Individuals with Disabilities), 2003-2009
Candidate Statements:
Leadership. I believe that leadership should be an interactive process in which those in the leadership position not only are the driving force of the organization and its objectives, but also are those people that unite the organization behind one vision. The goal of any leader is to systematically develop the goals and results desired from its members. This must be done through an open communication process in which each member has a forum to be heard. In this role, I would advocate for continued avenues for all of CEC’s student members needs to be heard.
Diversity. In this role, I would advocate for CEC to reach out to populations that aren’t utilizing the resources developed by the national and state organizations. I also think there should be an outreach for new student chapters at universities where CEC is not as prevalent. There should be some proactive steps made by the national organization to grow membership in these underrepresented regions. I believe CEC needs to move beyond the U.S. borders and reach out to seek members in other areas of the world where quality research and practice in Special Education is being carried out.
Goals for CEC and the Field. I hope society continues to move in a progressive manner in regards to those with exceptional needs. There needs to continue to be a steady push for equality for each and every life in this world. I hope our national government takes steps, legislatively, to continue to make sure that each student with a disability is being served on an equal platform. Finally, I hope CEC works to be the true voice of progress in the field by fighting for this change as well as supporting those advocates across the country that work on a daily with these remarkable individuals.
Lourdes Telena
Student
Miami Dade College
Miami Beach, Florida, USA
Education:
B.S., Miami Dade College, Exceptional Student Education (K-12), Masters of Social Work Expected Graduation Date: December, 2010
Special Education Experience and Achievements:
| 2006-Present |
Part-time and full- time student honors student. More than 400 hours of preservice teaching with special needs students. Participated in 2009 TSL Conference, Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS) training workshop, 2008 IMPACT II IDEA EXPO, 2006 and 2007 Black History Month symposiums at Miami Dade College, and member of Dade County Science Teacher’s Association |
| 2006 |
Pre-Service Special Education Teacher, Miami Dade College |
| 2004 |
Junior Therapist, Lizard Children’s Centre (Sydney, Australia). Worked in ABA curriculum of five children. Implemented training strategies to improve Relationship Development Intervention (RDI). Attended clinics to improve skills as a therapist. |
CEC Leadership History:
Length of Membership: 2 years
CEC Leadership Positions Held and Major Achievements:
| 2009 |
Student Chapter President. Also serving as Service and Professional Development Committee Chairperson. Developing monthly Professional Development Workshops at Miami Dade College. |
| 2008 |
Dedicated member attending conferences, all chapter meetings, participating in and organizing volunteer activities as well as serving as Student Chapter Vice President |
Other Relevant Professional and Volunteer Activities:
| 2009 |
Internship, Dade Marine Institute (Miami-Dade Juvenile Justice System). Assist staff in performing Functional Assessments of incoming juveniles. Provide support to educational staff. |
| 2008 |
Lead Facilitator, STEP. Developed and participated in service learning projects with community partners including Care Resource, Hands on Miami, Urban Paradise Guild, and Special Olympics. Provided support/leadership to high school students. Support staff for Center of Community Involvement at MDC. Attended 2008 Florida Institute on Service-Learning and Engaged Scholarship.
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| 2008 |
Dade County Science Teachers Association. As a student member I hope to gain content area knowledge and best practices for educating exceptional students in Science. |
Candidate Statements:
Leadership. Being a good leader is part of being an effective educator. Throughout my undergraduate studies I have taken my role as a pre-service teacher of students with special needs very seriously and have made every effort to advance my professional development. I recognize that a good leader is also a life-long learner, a good communicator, and a committed individual. Being part of the Representative Assembly will help me become a better leader and a better educator.
Diversity. Coming from a diverse background has helped me understand and work with diverse students. The children that I have interacted with have varied culturally and linguistically as well as having different types of disabilities. By visiting, interacting with, and serving within diverse communities, CEC can advance diversity within the organization and the profession. Currently, our chapter is organizing monthly educational workshops open to all School of Education students. Within diverse populations of college students it is important to share the message and vision of CEC because the students that we serve as educators are so special.
Goals for CEC and the Field. During the next two years my goals for CEC and the profession include increasing diversity and increasing communication among local chapters. I believe firmly that there is more need for diversity within our organization and in the field. As an executive member of a new chapter I appreciate the milestones and achievements of other chapters. More communication between us will help us as an organization and as professionals.
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