CEC Student Travel

Field trips have been found to have a positive impact on college students preparing to become educators, as they benefit from improved employment rates, a higher GPA, and opportunities for professional networking (Dawson & Leytham, 2020). Unfortunately, college students often have to fundraise, pay out of pocket, and apply for limited grants to be able to go on such trips. 

Teacher Education at Weber is dedicated to providing students with such opportunities whenever possible! From March 11 to 15, 2025, six undergraduate students joined two faculty members from Teacher Education, Dr. Melina Alexander and Dr. Shirley Dawson, as they traveled to attend the Council for Exceptional Children's (CEC) Annual Convention and Expo in Baltimore, Maryland. 

The students were Special Education majors currently doing Student Teaching or being enrolled in Level 2 of their major. They joined over 4,700 educators in attending presentations on topics ranging from Artificial Intelligence to zones for emotional regulation, engaging in the technology playground, and participating in one-on-one meetings with scholars, exhibitors, and presenters. They met CEC leaders, state board employees, and students from other Utah universities.

When not in conference sessions, keynotes, or convention meetings, this wonderful group of scholars toured historical Baltimore sites, such as Fort McHenry, Edgar Allen Poe's grave, historical homes, and Babe Ruth's stomping grounds. They also visited the Walters Art and Maryland Science museums and churches of historical, religious, and cultural significance in the city. Students brought back swag, resources, and materials for their current and future classrooms and an expanded network of education professionals.  

Student shared some insights about their experiences from this trip. Amy Church, a Senior in the Special Education program in TED, said: “I was able to have positive shared experiences on a different level with members of my cohort and professors. I was able to choose sessions that had a direct correlation to the students I am working with in my student teaching, and this information will positively influence my instruction and interactions with students beyond that. The conference gave me wonderfully valuable resources and helped me gain a better understanding of our students and their behaviors. I can't wait to go again. It is the best professional development.”

Jasmine Dorkin, also a Senior in Special Education program in TED, said: “I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the CEC 2025 Special Education Convention and Expo in Baltimore. This city is culturally diverse and historically rich. We were able to visit the Inner Harbor, Waterfront Promenade, Babe Ruth Camden Yard, Federal Hill Park, and Edgar Poe’s grave. A local also gave us a tour of her beautiful home she was selling. I have met incredible educators from different parts of the world. It was empowering to be surrounded by people so passionate about education and to be able to network with others. This wouldn’t have been the same experience without my amazing SPED cohort and professors. This shared experience has brought us closer together. I learned and gained different knowledge and perspectives from attending different sessions. I will truly treasure this experience, memories, people, and the growth that took place. It was humbling knowing this was my reality. What a great opportunity to have under my belt as I am preparing to start my teaching career.”

_{If you want to support student travel to conferences, please contact the Teacher Education Department at Weber State.} 

_{If you want to take students on a trip inside or outside the US, please contact Shirley Dawson or Katarina Anderson for more information and tips, or talk to Eric Hunter from the Study Abroad office.}