January 2022 President's Message from Dr. Danielle Kovach

Welcome, 2022! As my classroom door reads, "No challenge too big, no victory too small!" I am excited to begin this journey with all of you. And, our first stop, convention! I know there were many unknowns as we headed into our biggest event of the year. However, we rocked it! CEC took all precautions imaginable to keep participants safe and healthy so everyone could feel at ease while getting the most out of convention without additional stress and worry. THANK YOU to all of our participants for making this convention the best yet! You followed protocol and were flexible and understanding.

Someone asked me the other day, "If you weren't president, would you still go to convention?" This question certainly wasn't easy, but my honest answer was yes. I realize that I must take the leap and put faith over fear. Isn't that what we do as educators every day? We rely daily on data and facts to drive what we do, but in the end, it's often our heart that ultimately helps us make the right decision. I know in my heart that together we made the right decision to keep each other as safe as possible through vaccinations, social distancing, and wearing masks.

I woke up Wednesday morning, literally on cloud nine, motivated and ready to head back to my classroom. As the sun rose, I saw several hot air balloons rising over the horizon. What a beautiful way to symbolize the start of our next century as we soar to new heights!

So, let’s get started! I am incredibly grateful for our CEC leadership. We have been extremely fortunate to have Dr. Jennifer Lesh on our executive team over the past three years. It was my honor and privilege to learn from her, and I am thankful for the leadership she cultivated within me. Dr. Lesh will be missed, but her legacy of leadership will continue for years to come.

And talk about a team! I am grateful for the guidance and expertise of Dr. Dennis Cavitt (Immediate Past President), Dr. Angie Jasper (President-Elect), Dr. Yvonne Bui (Treasurer), and Chad Rummel (Executive Director). Combined with our steadfast Board of Directors and dedicated CEC staff, I cannot wait to see where 2022 will take us! As we enter our 100th year of leading special education, let's reflect on the past, look toward the future, and enjoy and appreciate every moment in the present.

I am motivated by the words of Amanda Gorman in her poem, 'New Day's Lyric':
Those moments we missed
Are now these moments we make,
The moments we meet,
And our hearts, once all together beaten,
Now all together beat.

Let's make 2022 the best yet! Forward. Together.

Dr. Danielle Kovach
2022 CEC President