Reading EA co-sponsors "Together In Support Of Our Exceptional Children" seminar

On October 31, the Reading Education Association Community Committee and several partnering organizations held a seminar titled “Together In Support Of Our Exceptional Children” at the Hopewell Mennonite Church in Reading, PA. More than 75 educators, parents, administrators and community members attended the event.

Partnering organizations included the Reading Education Association, Reading School District, Hopewell Mennonite Church, Congreso de Latinos Unidos, United Community Services, Democracia USA, Community Prevention Partnership, I-Lead, “Dialogando con Jani” 93.1 FM 

The seminar was led by PSEA Special Education expert Bernie Miller, with assistance from the Reading Education Association Community Committee and several of the community partners. Sue Shultz, Special Education Director of the Reading School District, gave a power point presentation made made for the program. Elizabeth Hemmings, Community Advocate from the Community Prevention Partnership, gave a presentation on the importance of parents understanding the IEP process.

Bob Miller, President of the REA, discussed the challenges facing educators who teach Special Education but have expertise in other areas.

Miller prepared seven mock scenes demonstrated IEP meetings, with time between scenes to discuss what had happened. During the seminar, Janice Paulino from Congreso de Latinos Unidos and host of “Dialogando con Jani” provided simultaneous translation to a group of 15 people.

Student PSEA Nitza Santiago, an education student at Millersville University, welcomed attendees and speakers to the event.

Amongst the attendees were Frank Vecchio (Asst. Superintendent of the Reading School District), Jodie Madueno (Director of English Language Learners Dept. Reading School District), School Board Directors candidates (Yvonne Stroman, Isamac Torres-Figueroa, Jim Washington), Ada Mejia (HR Director of Giorgio Mushroom, the largest agricultural employer in the Reading area), Elvin Gutierrez (Leader of a Dominican Community Parents Organization), Deb Marek (Special Education teacher from the Bethlehem School District).

Lunch and parking was provided by the Hopewell Mennonite Church.

Photos from the event:

Photographs: courtesy of the National Education Association.