Hopatcong teacher attends special ed summit

Hopatcong — Danielle Kovach, special education teacher at Tulsa Trail School, recently joined over 260 dedicated special education professionals from 46 states in Washington, D.C. as part of The Council for Exceptional Children’s Special Education Legislative Summit. Kovach met with senators and Congress members on Capitol Hill to advocate on behalf of children and youth with exceptionalities, and their professional colleagues. She also introduced Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) at a rally on Capitol Hill.
Kovach discussed four issues currently challenging the fields of special and gifted education and early intervention. She asked Booker and other elected officials to:
• Increase funding for special education and early intervention programs.
• Protect public funds for public education.
• Address the shortage of special education teachers and early intervention providers.
• Provide support to ensure social and emotional learning, positive school climate, and mental health supports.
Kovach serves on the Board of Directors for The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). Founded in 1922, CEC is an international professional association of educators dedicated to advancing the educational success of children and youth with exceptionalities that accomplishes its mission through advocacy, standards, and professional development.