This Other Family

by Stuart Wittenstein, California School for the Blind

When I try to describe why I became a DVI member, and why I volunteered to become a board-member and then an officer, I always come around to saying, I have gotten so much more from DVI than I ever could have given. I became a member of DVI when I was a student and I needed a match for my ambitions, goals, and ideals. I thought DVI membership would help me develop, learn, and advance in my career. And besides, my advisor was the DVI President and she thought it would be a good idea! Thanks Kay.

I was certainly right about developing, learning, and advancing. The journals I received through CEC helped put the issues of special education before me. And the DVIQ got me thinking in new ways about the issues facing all of us as educators of blind learners. Thanks Bob.

Then my boss encouraged me to attend my first national convention. The DVI convention program was innovative and exciting. The other CEC divisions presented much that was of interest to an educator of blind children. I discovered that although DVI was only a small part of CED, it was a dynamic and impressive group. The DVI socials were creative and fun. Thanks Herb.

At the CEC convention, I met some of the legends in our field. People whose writings I had read and taught from, whose theories and research had changed practice for all of us and I learned how approachable and down to earth they all were, open to questions and discussion, informal settings and at social events and in the hotel bar when the days' meetings were done. Thanks Natalie, Virginia, Roseanne, Phil, and Evelyn.

And I learned that DVI advocated about important issues to all of us who work with blind children. Issues like expanded core curriculum, professional standards, caseloads, ethics, Braille literacy and that when DVI took a position, it spoke with CEC's voice on the national scene and on Capitol Hill and that all DVI members could have a voice in forming those positions and I found that my voice could be heard. Thanks Alan, Jane, Anne, Cay, and Dennis

Before I knew it I was not only learning and growing, but also saying yes to DVI committee assignments, writing projects, and even running for election. I found that I had connected with peers on a national level and had a network of colleagues, friends, and a sort of family, a group that supports, encourages, and brings out the best in one another. Thanks Donna, Mary Jean, Roseanna, Pat, Lou, David, Ellyn, Carol, Penny, Sandy, and Linda

The past winter we lost one of the people who made DVI and our field exceptional. As I made my plans to meet Roseanne in Dallas and fly to San Antonio for Virginia's funeral, I called a couple of my closest relatives to tell them that I would be out of town for a few days, as I routinely do when circumstances call for me to leave suddenly, and I found myself explaining to my mother and my sister about this other family I have that they didn't know much about, but which means so much to me. We miss you, Virginia.

So, what is there about joining DVI?

It's about individual professional growth and development.
It's about having an impact on the whole profession, as well as your own working conditions.
It's about making things better for all teachers of children with visual impairments.
It's about having a national impact on issues that affect the day-to-day education of children who are blind.
It's about connecting; in person, through writing, and electronically, with similarly dedicated individuals who are rewarded through volunteering and through having the chance to make a difference.
And it's about doing it together.

For more information contact:

Stuart Wittenstein
California School for the Blind
510-794-3816 (Telephone)
510-794-3813 (FAX)
swittens@csb.cde.ca.gov? (Email)

Volume 6, No. 2, April 2000 Contents

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