Dear friends, colleagues, and readers of the journal,

This new issue is very special – it is already No.10. It is hard to believe, and it feels like we started just yesterday but we have already walked a long way trying to find challenging topics and creative authors, although we are still quite young and open for new knowledge and new approaches. Due to our young age many things are new for us. For example, for the first time we are giving all the journal space to the proceedings of the Russian-American seminar that was held in March 2012 in Kursk, Russia, and was devoted to the topic of special education. To bring to Russia a large group of academics and practitioners from this field sounds next to impossible, and we have managed only due to an incredible help and support from both nations. This is why I will start with words of gratitude – to Professor Melinda Pierson, Head of Special Education Department, California State University Fullerton, and to her faculty members Dr. Debra Cote and Dr. Vita Jones, to the most active supporter of the journal and president of AMERUS Ltd Jack Mc Gurgan, a specialist in the field with over 30 years of experience Kathy Cioffi, to an editorial board member Professor Ginger MacDonald, Associate Vice Chancellor, University of Washington Tacoma, and to a manager at a unique facility for adults with special needs Deb Doornenbal.

I can confess, my dear friends, without you this seminar would have never happened. All of you were truly courageous to travel so far to a new country (for half of you). You were so patient and ready to suffer a severe and unusual spring with cold and wind, snowstorms and sleet, and many other inconveniences. And regardless of that you were all so full of joy and happy to meet with Russians and Russia.

There is no doubt that it takes both parties to make international seminars successful, and again we were lucky to find a very enthusiastic group in Russia. Together with very supportive administrators and faculty from Regional Open Social Institute (ROSI) where the seminar was held, we had two great and unique (in their own ways) ladies – Natalya Kitsul, Principal of the Rehabilitation Center for Children and Young Adults with Health Limitations in Kurchatov, Kursk Region, and Tatyana Zubareva, Principal, Kursk Regional Center for Psychological, Medical and Social Support, and their most important deputies – Zhanna Maslova and Natalya Petelina, and of course staff members of their institutions. These educators, medical doctors, psychologists, social workers, and other specialists were not only the most attentive listeners and active participants of the seminar but also extremely hospitable people who sincerely opened their hearts and institutions to the American guests – you can find a detailed story of this in Kathy Cioffi’s paper. One more seminar organizer was from far away – Surgut State Pedagogical University which is always ready to support interesting educational innovations. Separate thanks go to our interpreters Dmitry Klimentiev and his students Alevtina Gutorova and Anna Kravtsova from School of Foreign Languages, Kursk State University, and also to Maria Tretiakova, Head of the ROSI International Department.

Finally, let me briefly introduce the papers. I believe that an informative overview of the U.S. Special Education and its terminology prepared by Professor Melinda Pierson would be interesting for everyone. Her faculty members discuss very important and concrete topics – Dr. Cote talks about the development of self-determination in children, and Dr. Jones describes the notion of resiliency and five components of resilience. Jack Mc Gurgan gives a detailed picture of special education in the Columbia district, New York. As one of the illustrations to his article comes a short description by Barrett and Schneider of a very interesting non-profit COARC, founded by parents of children with developmental disabilities in 1965. I am sure no one can remain indifferent reading an emotional story by Deb Doornenbal of the work with adults with special needs at Northwest Village Unlimited in Sheldon, Iowa. The articles presented by Tatyana Zubareva and Natalya Petelina introduce to the readers a wonderful innovative institution - Kursk Regional Center for Psychological, Medical and Social Support which has provided many families with the hope for a better future for their children. And finally, the readers receive a unique chance to virtually meet with Natalya Kitsul and Zhanna Maslova who analyze an on-going project – an attempt to help their adult students develop social and other skills while practicing partially independent living in two fully sized condos specifically bought for these purposes. “Choice is a Natural Right of Each Human Being” – this is the title of their paper that raises a number of critical questions. Don’t miss it.

And now start reading. Our editorial board is looking forward to receiving your recommendations, ideas, advice and critical comments. Recently I have found an interesting phrase: “If nobody knocks on your door, you should build a door.” Consider we have built a door for you, our dear readers, and we expect that you are willing to open it, enter our journal, and share your opinions with us…

Always yours,
Tatyana Tsyrlina-Spady
Editor-in-Chief
tsyrlina@aol.com