Teach Camp is a professional learning opportunity designed for beginning special educators. The goal of Teach Camp is to increase retention of our newest special education teachers by giving them the tools they need to survive and thrive during their first years in the classroom.
Teach Camp includes professional learning on topics like IEPs, getting organized, and connecting with your professional community. We want special education teachers to leave Teach Camp feeling energized, positive, and connected to the Arizona Department of Education/Exceptional Student Services, the national and local Council for Exceptional Children, their own special education directors, and to each other.
New special education teachers who attended Teach Camp cannot stop raving about their Teach Camp experience!
“The vibe, the energy of the whole experience was great! Learning the legality behind special education was extremely important, especially being in the first years in education.”
“The pacing was great. The breakout sessions were informative, and it was nice to be able to break up the day. It was awesome to meet and brainstorm with other teachers in similar situations. I enjoyed the speakers and their messages.”
Additional feedback from our campers:
Q: Would you recommend Teach Camp to a colleague who was new to special education?
A: YES 100%
Q: Rate your overall Teach Camp experience (out of 5 stars)
A: 4.8!
Q: Do you plan to return to teaching this fall?
A: YES 99%, Undecided 1%
“The resources and ideas that can be quickly and easily implemented were very helpful. It was awesome to hear a parent’s perspective on the special education experience.”
“All the information was great but getting the information about the IEP's was the best for me as a first-year teacher.”
Registration Information:
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, 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* (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.
