INTERNAL PD INFO: Don’t miss the bus to Teach Camp—registration is pulling away soon!

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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.