STEP=UP helps prepare special education teachers
*Next Upcoming Event*

Community of Inquiry
October 20, 2010
5:00-6:30pm
EPASW 1241

DEC Conference
October 14 -17
Kansas City , MO

TED Conference
November 2 -6
St. Louis , MO

Please see our Calendar
for upcoming events.

STEP=UP's Mission is to recruit and prepare exceptional teachers and scholars who are dedicated to making a difference by working with learners with disabilities and preparing teachers in diverse urban communities.

To this end, STEP=UP has recruited 4 cohorts of Master's Degree students through the department of special education at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). These students work toward becoming special educators and benefit from numerous supports, including free tuition, mentoring relationships with practicing teachers and access to a resource library.

STEP=UP's work preparing special educators continues after graduation and extends far beyond the walls of the university. Program graduates continue to have access to the STEP=UP resource library and are invited to regular induction seminars where they can network with other teachers and engage in discussions around issues of practice. These conversations are extended onto the world wide web, where teachers across the globe can access the STEP=UP Transitioning to Special Education Teaching online module.

STEP=UP is also working to address the shortage of special education faculty members in universities through its Leadership Scholars program. A cohort of doctoral students began their careers as university researchers in Fall 2007. They are supported through Community of Inquiry seminars, conference travel, and field-based summer internships.

You can also read more about our work to prepare special educators and future special education faculty members through the following links: