The annual conference of the Georgia Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) was held last Thursday and Friday. The keynote speaker, Marie Corrigan, addressed the value of seeking and maintaining social relationships in a speech entitled, "The Net You Really Need." She cited some interesting research that suggests that too much time networking on-line may jeopardize our ability to build face-to-face social networks. This struck a chord with me because I see how tempting it would be to let email and blogging substitute for social involvement during my retirement.
The conference also taught me how important CEC is to maintaining strong professional relationships. With commonality of career (special education) and the traditions and "ways" of a highly structured organization, it is a valuable resource.
With my first retirement gift in hand, I head into my last month of full-time employment in a public school system. I intend to use much of this time strengthening, not severing, my ties to the wonderful teachers, paraprofessionals, staff and administrators who comprise my "net."
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