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Springfield SEPTA

Springfield Special Education Parent Teacher Association.

The First SEPTA in the state of Missouri

All of us have a great responsibility to our children. As a PTA, our group is part of a larger community working on behalf of childen, advocating for health, welfare, safety, education, and the protection of children at every level of government. PTA is recognized throughout many communities as the organization that continues to make a difference for children's issues.

SSEPTA is open to everyone who has an interest in the lives of the children who have special needs in this community. This includes: students; family members; professionals in the field of education, medicine and mental health; service providers; advocates; and support groups, businesses, churches and organizations serving children with special needs.

Mission

Springfield Special Education Parent Teacher Association is committed to the pursuit of effective communication and cooperative partnership in order to assist in providing the best educational environment for all children with special needs.

A Message From Our President

Welcome to Springfield SEPTA's website!

I hope you take the time to look at all of our pages and that you come back often. Sign up for our newsletter below. The first issue will be sent in January, but you have to sign up to receive it! Enjoy looking through Springfield SEPTA's website and come back again and again.

A friend of mine sent me a story about teachers and I have copied it below. I really like the author's description of what teachers do and I think you will too. Unfortunately, I don't know the name of the author to give him/her credit.

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.

One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued,
'What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?'

He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: 'Those who
can, do. Those who can't, teach.

To stress his point he said to another guest; 'You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?'
Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, 'You want to know what I make?

(She paused for a second, then began...)

'Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.
I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor winner
I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental.
You want to know what I make?'

(She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)

I make kids wonder.
I make them question.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.
I teach them to write and then I make them write. Keyboarding isn't everything.
I make them read, read, read.
I make them show all their work in math. They use their God given brain, not the man-made calculator.
I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know about English while preserving their unique cultural identity.
I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.
I make my students stand, placing their hand over their heart to say the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, One Nation Under God, because we live in the United States of America.
Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.

(Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)

' Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with my knowing money
isn't everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because
they are ignorant... You want to know what I make?

I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make Mr. CEO?'

His jaw dropped, he went silent.

Let your child's teachers know how much you appreciate all they do. Then next time you have a chance to publicly support the teachers in the district, show your support with both word and deed!

Until next time,