SPEDminar: A.C.H.I.E.V.E. (Awareness and Conquest in Helping, Educating, and Valuing the Exceptionals)

This is one of the reasons why I think the University of the Philippines Diliman is one of the best universities to major Special Education here in the Philippines. There are just numerous opportunities for a Special Education (SPED) teacher to grow her knowledge.

The latest among these opportunities is being offered by UP SEC in their upcoming project SPEDminar: A.C.H.I.E.V.E. (Awareness and Conquest in Helping, Educating, and Valuing the Exceptionals).

To give a brief background on UP SEC, below is the e-mail press release sent to the UP SPED majors.

"The University of the Philippines Special Education Council (UP SEC) is an active organization based in the UP College of Education promoting Special Education in the college, university, and the greater public. Because of this advocacy, UP SEC has been chosen as a finalist in the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) by the National Youth Commission (NYC) in 2005.

Through the years, UP SEC has been working towards establishing an organization that shall exemplify genuine concern for children in general and special learners in particular. UP SEC commits itself to forming a community that shall foster equality by providing opportunities to all individuals."

In commemoration of the 11^th year of the organization, UP SEC will be hosting its major event, SPEDminar: A.C.H.I.E.V.E. (Awareness and Conquest in Helping, Educating, and Valuing the Exceptionals).

This is a series of lectures on the basics of Special Education, (three Saturdays are free, lecture on the second day has film showing, “Alyana”, and admissions will not be free, tickets will be available for Php 100.00) particularly on the components of the SPED team and their respective responsibilities to the child with exceptionality.

Furthermore, the seminar aims to teach the participants on ways to carry on each responsibility within the walls of their homes. This seminar will cater to people in the community, particularly those from depressed areas in Quezon City and from neighboring cities and provinces, as well.

A.C.H.I.E.V.E. will be given by eight SPED professionals on four Saturdays of July specifically July 9, 16, 23, and 30.

All Saturdays will be held at the Benitez Theater, College of Education, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City at 11:00 am-4:00 pm on July 9, 23 &30 and 11:00 am-5:00 pm on July 16 (since there will be a film showing).

UP SEC is accepting participants in a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE basis.

The first 150 online pre-registrants and 50 walk-ins will be accommodated.

To pre-register visit http://www.gourl.gr/ixo.

UP SEC aims that this event would be a good opportunity to show that teachers are one with its vision of upholding the ideals of Special Education and of children in general. UP SEC is asking for help to spread awareness, conquer differences, educate and value special learners and proclaim that it’s the ability, not the disability, that counts.

To contact the organizers of SPEDminar: A.C.H.I.E.V.E. (Awareness and Conquest in Helping, Educating, and Valuing the Exceptionals), their name and information is listed below.

Paula Catalan, Project Head, 09056081757, pau_mae25@yahoo.com

Kathryn May Deveza, Project Head, 09275623726, trina_kmd@yahoo.com