About Missouri CEC
Mission Statement
The purpose of the Missouri of the Council for Exceptional Children is to advance the education of individuals with exceptionalities and to promote related educational, scientific, and charitable purposes.
Officers/Executive Committee
Shirley Steffens, Past President steffen@nwmissouri.edu
Cecelia Coppenbarger, President ccoppen@sbcglobal.net
Connie Nielson, President Elect cnielson@nkcschools.org
Carla Harrison, Vice-President caharrison@spsmail.org
Gail Christian, Secretary christiang@warhawks.k12.mo.us
Pat Ehlmann, Treasurer pehlmann@hotmail.com
Sarah Bates, Membership sarahabates@hotmail.com
Emily Milligan, Student Governor esm772@lionmail.lindenwood.edu
Consultants to the Board
Erica Lembke, Student Advisor lembkee@missouri.edu
Carla Harrison, CAN Representative caharrison@spsmail.org
Theresa Mischel Smith, Web Administrator theresa.mischel@gmail.com
Gail Christian, Newsletter GailChristian@hotmail.com
John D. Monroe, Diversity mailto:jmonroe@atlanta.k12.mo.us
-Historian
-Professional Development Advisor
Board of Directors
Representative of Chap 115 - Natalie Bannister s500874@nwmissouri.edu
Representative of Chap 164 - Karen Francka kkfcruiser@yahoo.com
Representative of Chap 366 - Ashley Kammerich amkkvf@mail.mizzou.edu
Representative of Chap 612 - Barb Hoyle bjhoyle@aol.com
Representative of Chap 737 - Emily Milligan esm772@lionmail.lindenwood.edu
Representative of Chap 978
Representative of MO-CASE - Cecelia Coppenbarger ccoppen@sbcglobal.net
Representative of MO-CEDS - Dottie Nelson dnelson@southnodaway.k12.mo.us
Representative of MO-DADD - Sherry Chittenden tedorsherry@sbcglobal.net
Representative of MO-DCDT - Sally Smith ssmith2@nkcschools.org
Representative of MO-DLD - Penny Fadler pfadler@hallsville.org
Representative at Large 2012 - Sabrina VanBuskirk svanbuskirk@center.k12.mo.us
Representative at Large 2013 - Ray Taft taftr@umkc.edu
Representative a Lagre 2014 - Kim Turner kim.turner@fhsdschools.org
Constitution and Bylaws Ed. 2011
MO-CEC Handbook Ed. 2011
Goals (2011- June 2014)
• To commit resources toward design and implementation of innovative professional development
and collaborative delivery models.
• To recruit and retain personnel in the field of special education.
• To promote and maintain effective advocacy networks and coalitions to achieve
positive influence with elective and administrative policy makers.
• To increase and maintain membership.
• To recognize and support the membership and other professionals.
Activities
Goal A: To commit resources toward design and implementation of innovative professional
development and collaborative delivery models.
1. Develop a conference planning committee and other committees as appointed.
2. Disseminate new and current issues/practices to the membership.
a. By maintaining and updating a website www.missouricec.org
b. By posting a current calendar and other information on relevant conferences, seminars, presentations, etc.
c. By posting a newsletter
3. Continue to develop and strengthen partnerships with other parents, regular educators, professionals organizations and other service providers.
4. Support subdivisions and chapter meetings as well as collaborate with DESE on statewide issues by appointing members to represent CEC on statewide committees.
Goal B: To recruit and retain personnel in the field of special
education.
1. Collaborate with higher education institutions to recruit and support
prospective special education professionals.
a. Collaborate with student advisors of colleges/universities offering
special education programs.
b. Maintain and develop SCEC (student) chapters in universities and
colleges.
c. Provide incentives for existing SCEC members to address CEC goals.
d. Encourage participation in school career days and/or other school activities.
Goal C: To promote and maintain effective advocacy networks and
coalitions to achieve positive influence with elected and administrative
policy makers.
1. Develop and maintain coalitions with groups and organizations that have a common
interest in influencing educational public policy.
a. Provide information to organizations, groups, and individuals, who have a common interest in exceptional children.
b. Communicate priorities of Missouri Children and Youth
Action Network (CAN) to organizations, groups and individuals.
c. Communicate “Action Needed” plans as appropriate.
d. Communicate “Information” items as appropriate
e. Meet with representatives of organizations and groups to develop plans
to achieve priorities of common interest.
2. Strengthen the existing Children and Youth Action Network (CAN)
within subdivisions and chapters.
a. Identify chapter and subdivision legislative chairs and maintain current
phone numbers and addresses.
b. Form committee of above and assist in identification of MO-CEC
priorities.
c. Disseminate priorities to BOD, chapters, and subdivisions.
d. Conduct ongoing training of subdivisions and legislative chairs in
network.
e. Meet with policy makers (elected and administrative) regarding MO-CEC priorities and current issues affecting exceptional children.
f. Communicate “Action Needed” and “Information” items throughout
networks.
g. Represent Missouri at CAN meetings sponsored by CEC.
Goal D: To increase and maintain membership
1. Maintain a membership committee
2. Increase the number of CEC members in Missouri.
Goal E: To recognize and support the membership and other
professionals.
1. Recognize outstanding members of CEC.
a. Direct awards committee to develop guidelines for recognition of
members statewide.
b. Encourage each chapter and subdivision to recognize a member at the
state MO-CEC spring meeting.
2. Increase opportunities for and services to CEC members.
a. Recognize a person or business in the community each year for their
contribution to special education
b. Seek community support for special education activities