I really enjoyed the DD presentation.  It's one thing to live with it in your life.  It is quite another, to be able to sit back and learn as well as look at it from a third person perspective (that of an educator instead of a parent).

I am trying to figure out how to get all of the information from SPED 380 and 310, without "skimming" (I can speed read, but that only goes to a certain point).

When I read Eld. Bednar's book, Increase in Learning this last winter, for ED 200, I really wanted to incorporate the information into becoming part of me, changing and developing my character.  At the speed at which I need to ingest, I feel that I get a basic skimming that I hope to regurgitate.  I need to rely on the blessing which was given at the beginning of the semester, that I need to listen and prepare- doing all the things which the Spirit directs, and I will be successful in meeting all of the needs (children & myself) and requirements (school/work).  It is a matter of having faith.

Good talk with my table group too.  Sara and another were feeling very overwhelmed and I was glad to know that they both knew I care and appreciate the perspective (I was concerned that I was either annoying or overwhelming them-Sara, or either of them, would not need the added stress).

As far as tools or concepts which helped there were especially two:  1) Law timeline I found was especially helpful, for both of my classes, and 2) the "Major Federal Laws and Their Key Provisions" seemed essential to "put the meat on the bones" to really see the difference between them.  This also put the emotional/historical perspective of why or how each law or provision could roll out.  Can we cultivate this type of environment/culture?  Not a free ride, just having needs met.  By observation, I am really hoping that it can help create and/or keep an environment where Spec. Ed. children can get this support that they need.  It seems, when finances drop, or the Government creates or has an impasse, it's these children and individuals who get the brunt of it. I need to be part of the solution, though, and not one that just "stirs the pot."

Conference was GREAT!  Very healing.  I hope you enjoyed it too.