Michigan CEC

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This Pride Month, Michigan CEC celebrates and supports LGBTQ+ students, educators, families, and advocates across our state.

Every person deserves to feel seen, valued, respected, and included for exactly who they are. Together, we can continue building learning environments where every individual belongs and has the opportunity to thrive.

Happy Pride Month from Michigan CEC!

This Memorial Day, we remember the courage, sacrifice, and service of those who gave everything for our country. Their bravery will never be forgotten. 🇺🇸

Alt Text: Watercolor style American flag graphic with red brushstroke stripes and blue stars on the left. Text on the right reads: ‘Happy Memorial Day. Land of the Free Because of the Brave. Celebrate, Honor, Remember.’ Michigan Council for Exceptional Children logo appears at the bottom.

Check out this UniFED day with Council for Exceptional Children!!!

Sharpen your skills and connect with your community at CEC's first inaugural UnifiED. This dynamic 1.5-day experience, featuring four content tracks, will bring education professionals together to learn practical strategies they can apply immediately in their classroom or district.

Registration is now open: https://exceptionalchildren.org/events/unified-2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible moms, grandmothers, caregivers, foster moms, adoptive moms, and mother figures who love, advocate, support, and show up every single day.

Today, we celebrate the strength, patience, compassion, and unwavering dedication you pour into your children and families. Your impact reaches far beyond the home and into classrooms, communities, and lives every day.

To the moms raising and supporting children with exceptionalities, thank you for being fierce advocates, safe places, and constant encouragers. You are appreciated more than words can say. Wishing you a day filled with love, joy, and moments that remind you just how valued you are.

Join our 2026 Diamond Conference Sponsor,, for a FREE webinar focused on strengthening Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) and moving from compliance to meaningful classroom impact! ⭐

As Michigan districts continue shifting toward a stronger focus on high quality IEPs and impactful SDI practices, this session will explore how educators can design instruction that is truly “specially designed” to meet the unique needs of every learner.

Presenter Vinnie Ray will share how Goalbook Toolkit supports Michigan’s SDI framework by helping teams:

• Move from PLAAFPs to actionable, standards aligned SDI that meets MARSE requirements
• Use Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to support the “What,” “How,” and “Why” of instruction
• Leverage M-STEP and benchmark data to create measurable goals and instructional adaptations
• Reduce administrative burden so educators can focus on delivering high impact instruction

Who should attend?
• Directors of Special Education/Special Services
• Supervisors of Special Education/Special Services
• District Leadership

📅 May 12
⏰ 1:00 PM EST

Click the link below to register!
https://goalbookapp.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LVVId-uFSsSiXbjnhp61jg #/registration

It’s Teacher Appreciation Week! 🍎💙

We’re so grateful for every teacher and educator, especially those in special education. Each day, you show up with dedication and heart, making a lasting impact on your students and communities.

Drop the name of a teacher who has inspired or helped you in the comments 👇

Come visit our table at the Statewide Autism Resources & Training (START) conference today at the Lansing center if you’re here! We’d love to see your smiling faces!

We will be a vendor at the Statewide Autism Resources & Training (START) conference next month with the awesome Dr. Shelley Moore. They just opened up more spots in their registration so grab your tickets now and come by our table and say hello!

🎉 Registration is OPEN! 🎉
Join us for the 25th Annual START Conference: Building on the Past and Designing the Future!

📅 May 4, 2026
📍 Lansing Center
💻 In-person & virtual options available

Featuring Keynote Speakers:
• Shelley Moore, Ph.D.
• Elizabeth E. Biggs, Ph.D.
• Mateo Moreno

This year marks 25 years of the START Project, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you! Together, we’re celebrating every path, empowering every voice, and building inclusive futures where all students belong, are valued, and can shape their own journey.

We hope you’ll join us for this milestone celebration! https://www.gvsu.edu/autismcenter/start-conference-167.htm

[Image description: Text reads “25th Annual START Conference: Building on the Past and Designing the Future.” The image features three circular photos of keynote speakers, with Shelley Moore displayed on the left, alongside Elizabeth E. Biggs and Mateo Moreno. The START logo and “25 Years Together” appear in the lower left over a blue background with a faint audience scene.]

Do you know a student with exceptionalities who has demonstrated their determination and achievements? Recognize these deserving students with the Yes I Can Awards! Nominations are now being accepted.

Nominate a student today: https://exceptionalchildren.org/awards/yes-i-can-awards-cec-national