FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday October 21, 2009
DEC Recognizes Arlene Wrights Accomplishments
Arlene Wright is the 2009 recipient of DEC’s Rose C. Engel Award for Excellence in Professional Practice. This special award is given to honor Rose Engel, DEC’s first President, whose leadership has shaped DEC as an organization. Recipients meet the high standards of professional practice set by Rose Engel.
Arlene is an Independent Education Consultant with interests in initiatives focused on children birth through five. She has been in the early childhood special education field for 30 years and a DEC member for 25 years.
Arlene has acted as consultant for school districts, coach for Wisconsin’s Model Early Learning Standard’s, and regional project director for development of community models.
Some of Arlene’s professional goals include continuing her involvement in initiatives that make a difference for children and families; continuing to read, study, learn about early childhood best practices and initiatives; and continuing to be involved in Early Childhood Communities of Practice.
The Division for Early Childhood (DEC) is one of seventeen divisions of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) - the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted.
DEC is especially for individuals who work with or on behalf of children with special needs, birth through age eight, and their families. DEC is dedicated to promoting policies and practices that support families and enhance the optimal development of children.
DEC and its members are committed to promoting parent-professional collaboration in all facets of planning, designing, and implementing early childhood intervention services. In addition, DEC advocates for policy, planning and best practice in prevention and intervention. DEC supports full access for young children with special needs and their families to natural settings and service delivery options. Respect for family values, diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and family circumstance are integral considerations in DEC's prevention and intervention efforts. Finally, DEC supports those who work with or on behalf of infants and young children with special needs and their families. For more information, visit DEC’s web page at www.dec-sped.org
Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children27 Fort Missoula Road, Suite 2
Missoula, MT 59804
(406) 543-0872 PHONE
(406) 543-0877 FAX
Congratulations to everyone for their accomplishments.
Early Childhood Special Education Teacher of the Year Award-Jean Gagner
Early Childhood Teacher of the Year Award- Paula Clay
Collaborative Team of the Year Award-Eau Claire Family Literacy
Collaborative Team of the Year Award-NAEYC Breakfast Club
Student Teacher of the Year Award-Dana Friedrichs
Student Teacher of the Tear Award-Kelly Jankowski
Outstanding Partner in Early Education and Care Award- Jane Lind