It's hard being a new teacher. It's hard being a special education teacher. It's really hard being a new special education teacher. That’s where Teach Camp comes in!

Teach Camp is a professional learning opportunity designed specifically for special education teachers preparing for their first, second, or third year in the classroom. Beginning special education teachers who attend our three-day summer camp will make connections with other new teachers from across the state while learning about topics critical to their success in the coming school year.

This year’s campers were surveyed, and 100% of them agreed that Teach Camp “increased my work-related knowledge; 99% agreed that Teach Camp “increased my work-related motivation.” When asked if they would recommend Teach Camp to other new special education teachers, 99% said YES.

Here’s what some of our campers said they liked best about the Teach Camp experience:

• “The best part of the training, in my opinion, was how we were guided on how to prepare, conduct IEPs, and how to monitor and keep track of students' performance.”
• “The training was very well designed to keep participants engaged and learning important, useful information. The opportunities to interact in small groups to reflect on learning were great.”
• “How they have narrowed down everything for us. They said all the right things I needed.”
• “Meeting other teachers who are in the same boat and sharing ideas with each other.”
• “The details about IEP writing and brain breaks. Fun!”

It’s not too late to send your beginning special education teachers to Teach Camp! 

Teach Camp Eligibility:

• We know there are many pathways to becoming a special education teacher in Arizona. Recent graduates from traditional teacher preparation programs, alternative certified teachers, and veteran general education teachers transitioning to special education are all welcome.
• Teach Camp is available to special education teachers who will begin their first, second, or third year of teaching special education in the fall of 2025.
• Participants must be directly employed by a school district or charter as a special education teacher.

The cost for Summer 2025 Teach Camp is $250 per teacher and includes:  

• 3-day summer “camp” to be held July 8-10, 2025, at ASU SkySong, 1365 North Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85257
• Follow-up support throughout the school year, including virtual sessions and newsletters 
• A one-year membership to the Council for Exceptional Children  
• Additional valuable resources

Registration:

Registration for Teach Camp is open until Friday, June 13, 2025, on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration must be approved by the special education director and completed by the district or charter organization, not the special education teacher. Please note that there is a limit of ten registrations for each district or charter. More than ten teachers from any one district or charter will be placed on a waiting list. Please be aware that we may reduce the group size per district or charter organization to accommodate the attendance of more districts/charters. On-site registration is not available.   

Begin the registration process for Teach Camp!

Please email the ESS Recruitment and Retention Inbox with any questions about Teach Camp.   

Are you looking for specific targeted support for students with Autism?

The ADE/ESS/Academic Achievement and Inclusive Practices unit is pleased to announce summer professional learning opportunities with STAR Autism Supports (SAS). STAR Autism Support has been a leader in autism teaching strategies, in building capacity for districts to effectively serve students with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities. SAS has worked with over 2,500 school districts and over 25,000 educators across the United States and throughout the world. Their unique, practical approach provides school districts with the curriculum resources and a continuum of professional development activities to address the educational needs of students from early childhood through post-secondary.

Summer STAR and Links Professional Learning Opportunities are offered at no cost and in multiple locations across Arizona.

The STAR Program includes detailed lesson plans, teaching materials, data systems, and a curriculum-based assessment for teaching in the six curricular areas of receptive language, expressive language, spontaneous language, functional routines, academics, and play & social skills for students in elementary grades.

• Phoenix, June 22 23 at Helios Education Center
• Tucson, June 10-11 at Sunnyside Unified School District
• Flagstaff, June 23-24 at Northern Arizona University
• Yuma, June 26-27 at Yuma Elementary School District
• Phoenix, July 17-18 at Deer Valley Unified School District

The LINKS Curriculum (Linking Assessment and Instruction for Independence) is an evidence-based, comprehensive, web-based curriculum to teach upper elementary, secondary, and post-secondary students with autism and other developmental disabilities to be independent across school, community, and vocational routines.

• Phoenix June 4-5 at Helios Education Center

• Virtual June 16- 17

Participate with your team in a two-day workshop for an opportunity to receive fully funded primary or secondary district coaching visits from STAR Autism Support. This initiative aims to assist your team in effectively implementing strategies throughout the year, with additional coaching support available to help reinforce and sustain implementation efforts.

To qualify for coaching visits, school teams attending must include the following participants:

✔ Special Education Teacher

✔ General Education Teacher or District Coach

✔ Related Service Staff or Paraprofessional

Register for the summer STAR and LINKS Professional Learning Opportunities HERE.

For additional questions and support, contact Academic Achievement & Inclusive Practices.

Are you looking to increase teaching collaboration between general educators and special educators in early mathematics? 

The ADE/ESS/Academic Achievement and Inclusive Practices team is excited to announce a new professional learning series designed to support five school teams as they seek to improve outcomes for students with disabilities in Mathematics. The learning series includes in-person training, coaching, and follow-up virtual sessions. 

Teaching Partners: Building Number Sense, Foundations for Math Success
Grades K–3rd

Learning Series Description 
Join us for an engaging and hands-on professional learning experience focused on strengthening early mathematics instruction. This learning series will support educators in identifying struggle points in number sense development and providing targeted interventions that lay the groundwork for long-term success in mathematics. Our featured host, Suzi Mast, will guide participants through hands-on learning, modeling instructional routines and strategies that foster mathematical thinking, language, and understanding in young learners. Additional coaching support for administrators and instructional coaches on feedback and implementation practices will be provided as well. Brochure here.

Dates for In-Person Learning Sessions for All Participants: 

• Two-day in-person sessions on September 4th–5th from 8:30–4:30 each day in Tempe, AZ. 

Dates for Two Virtual Learning Sessions for All Participants 

• Zoom Webinar on August 14, 2025, from 4:00–6:00 p.m. 
• Zoom Webinar on November 13, 2025, from 4:00–6:00 p.m. 

Dates for Three Virtual Learning Sessions for Coaches and Administrators: 

• Zoom Webinars on dates to be determined for October 2025, December 2025, and January 2026.  

Fee: $50 per participant 

School team requirements (up to 6 members): 

• At least one general education teacher and one special education teacher teaching the same grade level 

• One instructional coach, specialist, or teacher leader 

• One administrator 

• Two additional teammates can be a general education teacher, special education teacher, instructional coach, and/or administrator. 

Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants are due by July 1, 2025. Applicants will be notified about the result of their application on or before July 8, 2025 

Apply for the Teaching Partnerships Learning Series 

About Suzi Mast 

Suzi Mast is a proud Arizona-certified teacher and administrator with over 30 years of experience.  Suzi retired from the Arizona Department of Education, where she was the Director of K-12 Mathematics and Educational Technology for over nine years. Suzi has also been a middle school and high school teacher in Arizona, worked in the private sector in educational technology, and was an administrator for a K-8 district, leading math and science curriculum, instruction, and assessment.  Suzi specializes in Formative Assessment, MTSS, and academic collaboration in math with a focus on access for all students.  Her current passion is early elementary mathematics. Suzi is the Past President of the Arizona Association of Teachers of Mathematics (AATM) and is the current Vice President of the Central Region for the Arizona Math Leaders (AML).  Suzi is also a member of the Arizona Mathematics Collaborative, which is focused on supporting and creating mathematics pathways from high school to higher education. Suzi is thrilled to be back in the classroom this year, coaching grades K-9 teachers and providing professional development in mathematics content and pedagogy at the state, district, and site levels.   

If you have questions about the professional learning series, please email the Academic Achievement & Inclusive Practices Inbox. 

There is still time to register for this spring’s virtual series on Universal Design for Learning.

The ADE/ESS Academic Achievement and Inclusive Practices unit invites educators to its upcoming free virtual professional learning series on Universal Design for Learning (UDL). This series is an excellent opportunity to deepen your understanding of UDL principles and how they can be applied to create more inclusive, accessible learning environments for all students. These virtual sessions will focus on providing practical strategies that can be implemented across classroom settings, supporting the success of all learners. We encourage your schools to take advantage of these no-cost virtual learning sessions to deepen knowledge and understanding and enhance instructional practices to ensure every student succeeds.

Don’t miss the next session on March 6, 2025. The registration links can be found in the attached flyer.

If you have any questions, contact Academic Achievement and Inclusive Practices at [email protected].

The ADE/ESS Program Support & Monitoring (PSM) unit and the Secondary Transition team are collaborating to provide training in response to the Arizona State Board Rule Change for Secondary Transition Services. Join this in-person-only Professional Development opportunity to gain clarity on the rule change and how to apply effective practices for stronger transition plans.  

Attendees will receive an overview of transition planning requirements, implications for the 2024 Arizona State Board of Education rule changes, and effective practices. These trainings are geared towards school administrators, teachers, and other staff integral to transition planning and service delivery.

Please choose one of the following dates/times at your convenience, as it will not be recorded, and each session covers the same content. 

Title: Getting Ahead to Go Beyond: Secondary Transition Changes and Considerations 
Dates: Wednesday, April 2, and Thursday, April 3, 2025 
Times: 9:00–11:30 a.m. and 12:30–3:00 p.m. (select one) 
Where: ADE South Campus 
Address: 1535 W Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85007 

Title: Getting Ahead to Go Beyond: Secondary Transition Changes and Considerations 
Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025 
Times: 9:00–11:30 a.m. and 12:30–3:00 p.m. (select one) 
Where: State of Arizona Complex  
Address: 400 W Congress, Tucson, AZ 85701 

Space is limited! Please register now for Getting Ahead to Go Beyond: Secondary Transition Changes and Considerations.

If you have questions about this training, please email Veronica Reza.  

STAR Autism Presents: Making Inclusion Powerful

Transform educational outcomes through evidence-based inclusionary practices with STAR and Links!

Research shows that inclusion dramatically improves academic achievement, social skills, communication, and post-secondary success for students with significant cognitive disabilities. The STAR Program (preschool/elementary) and Links Curriculum (middle/secondary) provide comprehensive tools and evidence-based strategies for pre-teaching skills, implementing self-management supports, and creating meaningful, inclusive opportunities that work.

These programs embed opportunities for teaching and generalizing skills across settings and activities, ensuring students receive valid interventions that promote positive outcomes in general education environments.

Date: December 13, 2024
Time:  3:30 pm-5:00 pm Arizona Time (UTC-7)

Zoom Registration https://starautismsupport.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtd-upqTMuHdfGTi7F-vjyV28k8AZzi60L

Date: January 24, 2025
Time: 3:30 pm-5:00 pm Arizona Time (UTC-7)

Zoom Registration: https://starautismsupport.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtdeqsqj8rG9N09gEjhQ8VVCDn2Byk5ihT

You may find the flyer here.

STAR Autism Micro-Learning Modules: Targeted self-paced learning opportunities designed to support educators.  

The goal is to provide actionable strategies in manageable segments, helping teachers integrate curriculum elements seamlessly into their daily routines. These self-paced virtual bite-sized lessons, taking less than 10 minutes, are shared monthly to reinforce critical concepts and teach school staff how to use STAR Program online content effectively.

Each micro-learning focuses on important curriculum components such as evidence-based practices and the resources available FREE through the STAR Program.

Module #1: Getting Started with Themes First

Module #2: Small Groups

COMING SOON:

Module #3: Circle Routine

Module #4: Behavior Supports

Special Education Professionals,

In partnership with ADE/ESS, the College and Career Competencies (CCCs) Project invites you to tune into a Fall 2024 professional learning opportunity for educators: Developing More Resilient Learners Through Self-Efficacy Instruction.

Target Audience: Special educators, school counselors, social workers, related services providers, instructional coaches, and interventionists

Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Time: 3:00–3:45 p.m.

Description: Do your students lack confidence in their abilities or give up easily when encountering obstacles? Do they become frustrated when learning becomes challenging? Students who don’t have confidence in their abilities and avoid challenges need to improve their self-efficacy. Self-efficacy is an individual’s perception of their ability to complete challenging tasks. Students who have strong self-efficacy understand the connection between putting forth effort and making progress. They accept their mistakes as learning opportunities and utilize calming techniques when learning becomes difficult. Educators who support students in developing self-efficacy observed increased confidence and the ability to view mistakes as learning opportunities in their students.

Please join us for this interactive 45-minute webinar as we explore these topics: 

• Teaching self-efficacy with free curriculum
• Measuring students’ self-efficacy
• Individualized support for developing students’ self-efficacy
• Accessing free self-efficacy courses for special education professionals

Register for Developing More Resilient Learners Through Self-Efficacy webinar.

For more information, see www.cccframework.org.

The ADE/ESS is pleased to announce that registration for Teach Camp is now open!  

Teach Camp provides professional learning and supports specifically designed for beginning special education teachers. Teach Camp aims to increase the retention of special educators by providing our newest special education teachers with the tools they need to survive and thrive during their first years in the classroom.  

Teach Camp is available to special education teachers who will begin their first, second, or third year of teaching special education in the fall of 2024. Recent graduates from traditional teacher preparation programs, alternative certified teachers, and veteran general education teachers transitioning to special education are all welcome. Please note that participants must be currently employed in a school district or charter as a special education teacher, and participants must have no more than two years of special education teaching experience in total (including previous positions) to be eligible to attend Teach Camp.   

Teach Camp will launch this summer! The cost is $250 per teacher and includes:  

• 3-day summer “camp” to be held July 9-11, 2024, in Tempe, AZ* (breakfast and lunch provided)  
• One-day follow-up session in February 2025 in Phoenix* (lunch provided)   
• A copy of The Survival Guide for New Special Education Teachers  
• A one-year membership to the Council for Exceptional Children  
• Additional valuable resources   

*Information regarding travel reimbursement for participants from eligible PEAs will be provided once registration is completed.  

Registration for Teach Camp is open until June 25, 2024, on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration must be approved by the special education director and completed by the PEA, not the special education teacher. On-site registration is not available.   

Begin the registration process for Teach Camp! 

Please email the ESS Recruitment and Retention Inbox with any questions about Teach Camp

The Center for Technical Assistance in Excellence for Special Education (TAESE), in partnership with ADE/ESS, is pleased to offer Saturday Mornings with the NRCP for free to all paraeducators, teachers, and administrators working in Arizona public education agencies.

The National Resource Center for Paraeducators, Related Service Providers, and Interveners (NRCP) hosts the two-hour sessions on the second Saturday of each month through July 2024. The sessions are based on the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Core Competencies for Special Education Paraeducators and include topics such as paraeducator roles and responsibilities and effective behavior management strategies.

Upcoming webinars will occur on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and will include the following topics:

March 9, 2024

Strategies for Students with Autism who are Nonspeaking

April 13, 2024

Supporting Students Who Are DeafBlind in Classroom Settings

May 11, 2024

Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Supports: How to Safely De-Escalate

Register for Saturday Mornings with the NRCP.

Virtual seats for the live webinars are available on a first-come, first-served basis. All who register will have extended access to the 2023–2024 recordings via a Canvas site until August 2024. Those who register will receive information on how to access the recordings.

The attached flyer includes additional information about the professional learning series. Please email Laura Lema with any questions.
Flyer may be found here.