It is hard to believe that we are starting our third year as the Special Needs Co-Chairs for KMEA! It was such a huge honor when then President Avian Bear asked us to be a part of this. We have worked to get sessions at the KMEA In-Service Workshop with a focus on special needs and the turnout the past years has been amazing. Thank you to all of you who came to the sessions!

As the school year begins and as the deadline approaches for submitting session ideas for the next ISW we need YOU!!!! Please contact us with any ideas or any topics you would like to see covered. We learned at last year's roundtable session about all the great things people are doing across the state in general, vocal, and instrumental music with students with special needs. We invite you to come share your story and what has worked for you with others. To submit a clinic proposal go to the KMEA website at www.ksmea.org/clinics. If you need help with the submission process or have questions please email us at the address shown above. The submission deadline is October 1, so get those ideas in!

We are always humbled to hear your success stories. Making all students an important part of your classroom and sharing music with them is the greatest gift you can share. Sometimes we don't realize how far reaching the effects are. Whether it is the mom crying after watching her son with special needs march in a parade or the hearing how a former student residing in an adult living facility sang "Silent Night" at a talent show, the impact we make is far reaching. Have a great school year and we hope to hear your story!!!!