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La Verne Hosting 15th Annual Special Education Conference

Associate Professor of Education Dr. Patricia Taylor saw an interesting opportunity to bring special education to the community when she was early in her 26-year teaching career at the University of La Verne.

Students in her Diversity in Communication course, part of the graduate credential program, are required to give a presentation on special education that includes engagement activities, PowerPoint and logistical planning. But it was previously kept in the classroom.

When parents and friends of the students began expressing interest in attending these presentations, she developed an idea that has since grown into La Verne’s annual Special Education Conference. The conference, now in its 15th year, not only draws relatives, but also area school district administrators, alumni and students just starting in the teaching program.

“Individuals with disabilities are members of all our communities,” Dr. Taylor said. “Those who serve them through the educational system appreciate the opportunity to thoughtfully and actively bring the interests and passions of the individuals and the community together.”

La Verne is the only private university in the state that hosts a student-run conference on special education. University of California, San Diego has also hosted such conferences.

Around 150 people are expected at this year’s event, set for 9 a.m. May 9 in La Fetra lecture hall. Nine main campus students and two from La Verne’s Santa Clarita campus, who are being trained to teach students with mild to moderate disabilities, are scheduled to present.

Presentation topics include the role of an education specialist, strategies they use, as well as disabilities and how they manifest.

There will be four break-out sessions following an introduction.

Jo Anne Beltran, an Education Specialist candidate who is close to gaining her credential, said she is presenting on the 2004 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. She describes the experience as being more nerve-wracking than preparing for a classroom presentation, but it is crucial because special education teachers serve around 6.5 million children throughout the nation.

“This is the first time that most of the presenters will be speaking in front of an audience this size,” she said.

In addition to each student having a speaking role in the conference they also handle everything from seating, graphics and research, to editing when they are not speaking, Dr. Taylor said. Some students who have completed the course return to help current students. She also encourages others pursuing a special education credential to attend the conference a year before they expect to be presenters themselves.

University of La Verne student Miriam Perez, who presented at last year’s conference, is returning to assist students on Saturday.

“Giving back is a big thing for me,” Perez said. “This conference speaks not just of the class that is presenting, but about the program as a whole. I can’t wait to take part of this conference again for a second time.”

Going beyond the presentation to include logistics is important because education specialists with a focus on special education are often requested to organize workshops and run meetings in their field.

Dr. Taylor said people with disabilities are members of communities everywhere, so the community benefits from learning how education specialists serve them.

“They see examples of the capabilities of such learners with disabilities and in this way, it takes some of the mystery and perhaps apprehension out of community encounters,” she said.

And gaining community support will go a long way toward making a difference in the life of students with disabilities, Perez said.

“Students with mild-to-moderate disabilities have the ability to learn and to have a purpose in life – they just learn differently,” Perez said. “As a community, we need to open more doors to help these students have access to education, jobs and tools in life to be successful.”