The National Association of Christians in Special Education was developed in recognition of the fact that Christians in special education lacked their own professional organization. It is our desire to bring special educators together for encouragement and professional growth.
However, our desire is also no less than to change the way the Christian Church interacts with people with disability. In spite the many interactions Jesus is recorded to have had with people with disability in the Gospels, somehow His church doesn't share his passion. This is seen not only in churches, but also in other agents of the Church, like Christian schools. Some data indicates that less than 5% of Christian schools have programs for children with disabilities. As Christians and as special educators, we need to help the Church to be more responsive, more caring, dare we say more obedient in reference to people with disability.
In 2004, a group of Christian, Special Education professionals came together to start this organization. Dr. Jeff McNair is a professor of special education at California Baptist University and NACSPED's founding President. Kathi McNair is a professor of special education at California Polytechnic University in Pomona, California. Dr. Nancy Contrucci (2007-2008 president) is a professor of special education at Azusa Pacific University, Dr. Sherrye Smith is a professor of special education at California Baptist University and Dr. Doreen Ferko is a professor of special education at California State University, Fullerton. The founders have a passion for people with disabilities and a passion for special education teachers. They want to see children with disabilities get the best education possible and each teacher pursuing excellence and feeling fulfilled in her/his calling as a teacher of persons with disability.
With these goals in mind, NACSPED has developed the following vision and mission statements.
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Vision Statement
The Church will be faithful to God’s command to love, value and serve one another through the full participation of individuals with disabilities in the Christian community. |
Mission Statement
The mission of NACSPED is to facilitate the integration and participation of people with disabilities into the Christian community.
We accomplish this change by:
- challenging Special Education professionals to exemplify faith through vocation
- providing professional development opportunities based on best practices.
- challenging Christian Special Education professionals to use their experience and training in the church.
- advocating for access to a Christian school education, for students with disabilities
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