Home About CECGovernance & Leadership Election 2009

Election 2009 Candidates
President Elect

Candace Borger
Marilyn Friend

Candace Borger
Administrator, Educational Support Services
St. James-Assiniboia School Division
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Education:
M.Ed., Reading, University of Manitoba, 1984
Full slate of Masters Courses, Educational Psychology, University of Manitoba, 1976
B.Ed., Special Education, University of Manitoba, 1972
B. H. Ec., University of Manitoba, 1968
Certificates, Level 11, Principal’s Certificate, 1991; Level 1 School Administrator Certificate, 1989; Special Education Certificate, 1972 

Major Career Experience and Achievements:

• YMCA-YWCA Women of Distinction Nominee-Education, 2001-present 
• Administrator Educational Support Services, oversight student services department, deployment of clinical and related services, partnerships/grants, 1994-present
• Principal, Crestview School K-6, 1989-1994
• Supervising Vice- Principal Brooklands School, 1987-1989
• Vice-Principal Strathmillan School Implementation and evaluation of Integrated Special Needs Program, 1986-1987
• Resource and Testing Coordinator K-12, 1985-1986
• Resource Coordinator K-12, Systems implementation of collaborative-diagnostic resource model, 1983-1985 
• Resource Teacher (7-9), Sansome Junior High, 1980-1983   
• Resource Teacher (K-9) Lincoln School, 1975-1980 
• Early Years Teacher Jameswood School, included Multi-age grouping, 1970-1975

CEC Leadership History:
Length of Membership: 25+ years

CEC Leadership Positions Held and Major Achievements:

• Chairperson Canadian/US Standing Committee, 2008-present
• Review team convention proposals (collaboration/co-teaching), 2006-2008 
• Yes I Can! Working Group, 2008-2009
• Yes I Can! Foundation Committee, 2002-2007
• Canadian CEC The Donald Warren Outstanding Achievement Award, 2001
• Canadian Governor at Large/ CEC Board of Directors, 1998-2001
• President Canadian CEC, 1996-1997 
• Manitoba Governor-at Large, 1991-1994
• Governance Standing Committee Chairperson, 1994+
• Canadian CEC Board Member, 1988-1992
• President Manitoba Council for Exceptional Children, 1987-1988 

Other Relevant Professional and Volunteer Activities:

• Inclusion Summit, University of Manitoba (Presentation), 2009
• Threat Assessment, Alternatives to Suspension Conference, San Antonio, Texas, 2009
• Threat Assessment, Manitoba Safe Schools Forum, 2008
• President, Provincial Student Services Administrators Association of Manitoba (S.S.A.A.M.) -completing a four year executive position, served as President first term 1999-2000)
• Provincial Reading Recovery Management Team & Liaison Administrator
• Certified Threat Assessment Level 1 Trainer Canadian Centre for Threat Assessment and Trauma Response
• Brain Research for Classroom Practice  

Candidate Statements:

Leadership.

• Systems, data-driven perspective that will assist in furthering CEC vision, mission and advancing the CEC strategic plan.
• Strong emphasis on collaboration and teaming, promoting partnerships and encouraging multiple perspectives in problem solving and planning.
• Recognizing and capitalizing on individual strengths, increasing capacity in others to be focused, agile, and resilient.
• Advocacy that is strength based, promotes resiliency and assists individuals and families in finding and strengthening their voice, the ultimate goal, self-advocacy/self-determination.

Diversity.

• Diversity needs to be embraced and celebrated in order to advance an inclusive community that is truly diverse within CEC and the profession at large.
• Require a comprehensive plan  to effectively recruit and retain individuals with diverse backgrounds into special education careers and leadership positions within CEC. The development of resources to increase cultural competence is needed.  
• Mentorship programs are key.
• The most powerful strategies - those which provide “a tap on the shoulder” and multiple personal invitations to belong. 

Goals for CEC and the Field.

• To advance policies and practices to support the highest quality of service for individuals with exceptionalities and their families.
• To increase membership and diversity of membership within CEC focusing on value added benefits for all.
• To engage in advocacy strategies/initiatives from a strength-based approach to promote resiliency in individuals and their families.

Marilyn Friend
Chairperson and Professor of Special Education
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro, North Carolina, USA

Education:
Ph.D., Special Education, (Minors in Elementary Education & Psychology), Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
M.S., Special Education, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
B.S., Elementary Education, Special Education Licensure, Butler University, Indianapolis, IN

Major Career Experience and Achievements:

CEC Leadership Positions Held and Major Achievements:

• Member, Program Advisory Committee (collaboration area), 2006-2009
• Chair, Professional Standards and Practices Standing Committee, 1992-1994
• Chair, Interdivisional Caucus, 1993-1994
• Chair-Elect, Interdivisional Caucus, 1992-1993
• Historian, Illinois Chapter of the Teacher Education Division, 1987-1989
• Vice president, Sooner Chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children, 1984-1985
• Faculty Advisor, Student Council for Exceptional Children, 1984-1986

Teacher Education Division

• Member, PSPSC Subcommittee on Standards for Inclusion Facilitator, 2007- present
• Representative to the Representative Assembly, 2004-2008
• Chair, Publications Committee, 1997-2000
• Immediate Past President, 1992-1993
• President, 1991-1992
• President-Elect, 1990-1991
• Vice President, 1989-1990
• Secretary/Treasurer, 1987-1989
• Historian, 1986-1987

Other Relevant Professional and Volunteer Activities:

• Presenter or co-presenter, preconvention workshops related to co-teaching, 2007-2009
• Member, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Task Force to revise standards for teachers of students with exceptional needs, 2006-2008
• Co-Chair, Preconvention Program on collaboration for the 69th Annual Convention 1990-91
• Co-Chair, Preconvention Program on collaboration for the 68th Annual Convention  1989-90
• Co-Chair, Convention Strand on collaboration for the 68th Annual Convention, 1989-1990
• Reviewer for CEC journals, including Teacher Education and Special Education, Behavioral Disorders, Journal of Special Education Technology, 1982-current, but not all journals all years

Candidate Statements:

Leadership. Leadership comprises bringing together individuals with diverse perspectives, energizing them and weaving their multiple voices into a whole that not only speaks with a complex harmony but also becomes so strong in its conviction that it cannot be ignored.  Leadership also requires balancing vision with attention to small details that must be effectively addressed.  Leadership includes accurately representing the organization’s work to other audiences, serving as ambassador of its mission. My experience working in various CEC endeavors, experience as a department chair, and deep, career-long commitment to collaboration enable me to carry out these sobering but exciting responsibilities.

Diversity. CEC will have accomplished a significant goal when diversity is so much an integral part of the organization that it need not be called out to ensure it receives the attention it requires and deserves.  In the meantime, diversity must remain a focal point.  First, CEC leaders must demonstrate cultural competence through their words and actions.  Second, education about the many facets of diversity should be part of CEC activities—through publications, advertising, the annual convention, webinars, blogs, and so on.  Third, CEC must advocate for attention to diversity through its policy agenda and collaboration with other organizations. 

Goals for CEC and the Field.

• To address the 6 goals of the CEC strategic plan with special attention on improving conditions for teaching and learning, integrating the other 5 goals into a framework with that emphasis.
• To leverage the momentum of current school reform initiatives into better outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
• To grow the membership of CEC, fostering greater participation of all members in CEC’s activities, nationally and internationally.
• To significantly influence the reauthorization of NCLB, IDEA, and other pertinent legislation so that the legislation better serves those with disabilities (e.g., increased funding).