Teach Camp
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 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 is 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 IEPs was the best for me as a first-year teacher.”
Registration Information:
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 copy of The Survival Guide for New Special Education Teachers
- 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 and budget constraints for travel reimbursement. On-site registration is not available.
Travel Reimbursement:
Funding is available for travel costs for districts and charter organizations that are traveling 51 miles or more from the school district or charter office to ASU SkySong, 1365 North Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85257. Reimbursements will be made to the district or charter organization, not the special education teacher, via the Arizona Procurement Portal. Please note that APP registration and an additional completed State Procurement Office Form will be required. Additional information regarding travel reimbursement will be provided to the district or charter organization once registration is completed. To be considered for travel reimbursement for the three-day summer session, registration must be completed by May 2, 2025. Reimbursement may be provided for up to five travelers per district or charter, with additional travelers added as funding permits.
Begin the registration process for Teach Camp!
Please email the ESS Recruitment and Retention Inbox with any questions about Teach Camp.
