Miami University

2/13/08

Special Education students raise money, awareness

A surprise visit from Miami President David Hodge provided a boost to a student group that is in the midst of a fund raising effort to increase awareness of the needs of youngsters in special education programs.

(From left are Katie Katsetos, Professor Jane Cole, Natalie Richley and President David Hodge.)

Miami's Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC) is selling t-shirts to raise money for members to travel to Boston for the National Conference for Exceptional Children's conference in March. A portion of the proceeds will also be donated to the Exceptional Children’s Foundation.

SCEC officer Natalie Richley says Dr. Hodge bought two t-shirts at $12 each and also made a donation to the fund-raising effort.

A senior special education major, she's eager to begin her classroom career and says Miami's program has prepared her well for her chosen profession. "Every child, no matter what their disability, deserves a chance for success," says Richley.

She's also confident that she will find the job she wants after graduation. Special education is one of the fastest growing careers in the nation. More than 80 percent of the country's largest school districts report an immediate need for special education teachers, and the number of children identified as having special needs increases every year.

Anyone who wants to support SCEC can contact Richley at richlenm@muohio.edu or faculty advisor Jane Cole, assistant professor of educational psychology, at 529-6229 or coleje@muohio.edu.