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With the Reauthorization of IDEIA in our Nation’s Capital as backdrop, the Virginia Chapter of CLD hosted the 2005 Regional Symposium on March 4-5, 2005 in Dulles, Virginia. Our chosen theme, “Research in Context: A Capital Idea”, reflected our efforts to build the conference program around the best of current research and the best practices of teachers implementing that research in schools and classrooms. Twenty-six sessions were offered on Friday and Saturday covering topics such as Accommodations that Count, Curriculum-Based Measurement, Reading Comprehension Strategies, Behavior Management for the Novice Teacher, and many more. Our Saturday Keynote Speaker, Dr. Phil Hall from North Dakota, shared his thoughts on the critical relationships that children must have in order to find success. His care-giving posture involves valuing and noticing positive behaviors, gentle interventions, and logical consequences. In a subsequent session he spoke about his approach with oppositional children to an eager group of participants. Michelle Oxley was our luncheon speaker and her comments left participants feeling truly proud to be in this profession. Michelle is a student who completed her degree from George Mason University in 2004, but has dealt with a variety of disabilities throughout her school career. She was entertaining and humorous, but also moving and poignant. She spoke of her disabilities, how good teachers helped her, and what makes the difference for students with special needs in schools. Her message was both instructive and uplifting for all of us in the profession of special education. Thanks to the CLD Board who co-sponsored this conference and to the many Virginia Chapter folks who contributed time and effort to make the conference a success. We look forward to the 2005 International Conference in Fort Lauderdale. And then, invite all participants back to the Northern Virginia area for the 2006 International Conference to be held at the McLean Hilton in October. Martha
Chamberlin
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