Tachelle Banks, Ph.D. professor and associate dean of faculty and external affairs in the College of Education & Human Services at Cleveland State University, has been elected to the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Board of Directors.

Banks learned of her elected position on Oct. 19 2020, which would catapult her to serve as the board's member-at-large. She will serve a three-year term from the years 2020 through 2022. She began this term on Jan. 1.

"My inspiration to apply to the board of directors was informed by my introspective process to examine more closely whether my goals align to the mission of CEC and its board," Banks said abut her election.

"The mission involved forward-thinking and courageous decision-making, which is the embodiment of who I am as a professional; someone who can identify weaknesses in a program and seek viable solution," Banks continued." I am impressed by the integrity of CEC, which is an essential component to any organization I am associated with."

Through the vision and commitment of more than 22,000 members, CEC has set the standard for high quality education for children and youth, and since 1922 has been a national, non-profit, professional organization in determining learning outcomes for people with attributes such as disabilities, unique skills or talents of any kind. The council is comprised of committed educators who are ready to lead people toward achievement.

The organization uses public policy and litigation in collaboration with parents and advocacy groups to develop professional practices for students with disabilities. Its research and leadership serves to give voice to those who are perceived to be voiceless.

Banks said that her attitude of integrity and belief in hard work and dedication would support her in being an effective board member. She said she believes that she possesses the fortitude, perseverance and humility to be an effective board member.

Describing herself as a respecter of tradition yet a progressive thinker, she said she knows how to motivate or bring people together to maximize their fullest potential. As an educator and leader, her pragmatic philosophy has inspired her learning, listening, creativity, and action.

She said she believes in bringing together diverse ideas from those committed to teach and lead while valuing individual differences and respect for multidimensional voices in solving traditional and contemporary problems, which she will bring to her work with the CEC board.

"Further I am an educator, a researcher and a leader with a diverse background and perspectives," Banks said." I hold membership in several identity groups (e.g. black female, mother, first generation college graduate, etc.), which are typically qualified as traditionally marginalized."

"These identity groups inform my professional perspective and have established my understanding that such differences have impacted and will continue to impact my subsequent access to educational and professional opportunities," she said. " As a result, it is imperative that I leverage my differences in such a way that brings voice and visibility to the beauty and boldness of divergence."