lI education II student. councll for exceptionalchildren members learn to adjust The thought of being surrounded by a group of children on a regular basis and trying to teach them was enough to send some people running in the other direction. Add to that thought the fact that some children had special needs and a disaster recipe may have brewed for some. Although some would find this situation intimidating, it was what drove the members of the Student Council for Exceptional Children. "If I were a parent who had a child with special needs, I'd want them to have a teacher who knew something about teaching children with special needs," senior Kimberlee Cox, SCEC president, said. "[As] a regular education major you don't get to learn how to handle special needs child ren, but wi th the council you do." As a part of its activities, the council organized events with other education organizations and went to places like the Sunshine School where members played games with the children and helped with cleaning. In November, members took a trip to Hot Springs to attend the Council for Exceptional Children's national conference. In addition to these activities, SCEC held monthly meetings, which featured guest speakers from Easter Seals, Hospice and educators of special needs children. . "{ really wanted to be a part of the Council for Exceptional Children and be able to work for them," senior Jenny Bell said. "[ love the field trip that we took [to Hot Springs]. Getting to see what steps they've taken in advancing the needs of these children was great." By trying to equip students with skills to deal with special needs children, the council held events such as the Special Olympics in the Ganus Athletic Center and invited the student body to help. " It's interesting to see how people react because I did the same thing at first; I felt sorry for them," Cox said. "But then you get to know them, and you realize how happy they are. They're in their own innocent world that we don't get to be in." The CEC, a national organization since 1922, began the student section in 1965. The Harding chapter has been around for 10 years and had 15 members this year. Bell said the experience she gained from SCEC was invaluable. "It's an overwhelming satisfaction to be able to work with these kids," Bell said. "They are extra special blessings; T love being around them; and I'd recommend it to anybody." - Cairey Tai 200 II organizations Graduate student Penny MeGlawn talks about her life as an eighth– grade science teacher at Cabot Junior High North to members of Stu– dents Advancing Learning and Teaching and other education majors Sept. 17. The seminar included other Harding College of Education alumni who answered questions about the job market, student teaching and educa– tion in general. (Photo courtesy of Peter Shipman)
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