Advisory Board
The STEP=UP Advisory Board is made up of a diverse group of educational professionals, university personnel, family members of people with disabilities and other individuals who are keenly interested in the state of special education in Chicago’s schools.
The Board meets twice a year to review the program’s progress, consider possible improvements and adjustments to the program, and discuss future direction.
The Board's insights and suggestions are an invaluable part of STEP=UP's continued success.
Recent Work
At the Advisory Board's most recent meeting, on May 15, 2007, the group reviewed STEP=UP's work for the past six months. STEP=UP staff members briefed the board on efforts to provide supports for teacher candidates and new teachers, and solicited feedback on ways to help even more students take advantage of these supports. The board also received updated information about the current cohort of students and the status of recent graduates of the program.
STEP=UP staff members were also delighted to welcome new members to the Advisory Board. With the introduction of the Leadership Scholars program, the Advisory Board has expanded to include additional university faculty members who will help advise the program on the continued need for qualified special education faculty at the university level.
Katie Caplis Ferguson, Dr. Michelle Parker-Katz and Carlitta Tucker
Advisory Board Members
Diane gives Advisory Board members an overview of the STEP=UP module.
The current members of the Advisory Board are:
- Ms. Kim Booth, Special Education Teacher
- Mr. Charlie Evans, Vice President for Academic Affairs
- Ms. Lillian Gonzalez, Assistant Principal
- Dr. Renee Grant-Mitchell, Chief Specialized Service Officer
- Dr. Chris Koch, Assistant Superintendent for Special Education
- Ms. Rose Sharon, Special Education Teacher
- Ms. Marianne Stallworth, Chicago Public Schools
- Ms. Carlitta Tucker, family member
- Ms. Cheryl Watkins, Principal
- Dr. David Yasatake, Northeastern Illinois University
- Ms. Wendy Jimenez, family member
- Ms. Rosie Avila, Special Education Teacher
- Dr. Jennifer Loncola, DePaul University
- Dr. Vinni Hall, University of Illinois at Chicago
- Ms. Katie Caplis-Ferguson, Chicago Public Schools
