“Changing Times: CIE’s New Chapter (2018)”

The Center for Inclusive Education (CIE) started 2018 in a complicated situation. Dr. Catherine Deen, the Center’s Director since 2015, abdicated her role to pursue further studies abroad. Though challenging for its remaining members, the following months saw the growth of CIE well beyond the campuses of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (Benilde).

Angels Walk for Autism

Partnership with the Autism Society of the Philippines continued as CIE participated in 2018’s Angels Walk for Autism in January and Light It Up Blue in April. Relationships with other advocacy groups also flourished as CIE and Best Buddies Benilde partnered with the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc. to celebrate the year’s World Down Syndrome Day in March. The Center also started its partnership with Divine Word Colleges-Calapan (DWCC) by providing a workshop to its faculty members and administrators for them to start their inclusion services.

In May, Ms. Nicky Templo Perez, the former dean of the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies, officially started as the new director of the Center. Under her leadership, CIE further grew its influence in the College, becoming part of the Academic Council for the first time.

L-R: Mr. Martin Romero, Ms. Lany Jove, Ms. Nicky Templo Perez, Mr. Jeremiah Adriano, Ms. Nica Mombay

It was also during Ms. Perez’s first few months as director when additional members of the team started. Mr. Clifford Chua became the new Learning Support Office (LSO) Head - a position he still holds up to this day. He brought with him his decades of experience in education to further enhance the services of CIE to the community. Ms. Vina Gavilano also joined the team as the Advocacy and Research Office Assistant. Though her stay with the Center was not as long, her experiences in the academic field widened the perspective of the members of CIE.

Throughout the year, CIE remained true to its mission of keeping the Benildean Community inclusive. The Center, in partnership with the Center for Instruction, Research, and Curriculum, continued hosting trainings for faculty members of Benilde to ensure they are equipped with the skills needed for inclusive education. The training, now referred to as the Benildean Inclusion Training, was held in June, July, and October.

ADHD Conference [Photo by the Learning Resource Center]

CIE also continued its partnership with the ADHD Society of the Philippines. A sensitivity training on ADHD was hosted in July and the ADHD National Conference was once again held in Benilde in October.

The Center further expanded the reach of its advocacy. It hosted benchmark tours for international institutions such as Christian Fellowship for the Blind-Thailand and National Institute of Special Education-Cambodia in October and November respectively. CIE continued helping DWCC by also hosting a benchmark tour in December.

Though 2018 has been a year of changes for the Center, its mission remains the same. In this new chapter of CIE, its members, guided by Ms. Perez, are motivated more than ever to ensure that Benilde is an inclusive environment for all.