AUSL blog
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Chicago’s Need for Special Education Teachers
If you’re considering a career as a teacher, you might find the most rewarding opportunities in special education. Over the past decade, Chicago and the nation have experienced a severe shortage of special education teachers. Special education teachers work with students who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities. In 2019–20, […]
A Return to School Perspective from the Academy for Urban School Leadership
As Chicago Public Schools students head back to the classroom this month for their first full-time, in-person learning experience in 17 months, many will be grappling with significant learning and social emotional loss. After schools transitioned to remote learning in March 2020 and only partially reopened in spring 2021, an alarming number of students were […]
Twenty years of Transforming Lives in and out of the Classroom
AUSL is an equity-focused non-profit that works tirelessly with the belief that all students should have access to an excellent education. Since 2001, AUSL’s conviction for equity in education has impacted thousands of students and families who reside in under-resourced communities. This weekend the Chicago Teacher Residency celebrated the graduation of Diverse Learner, Elementary, and Middle School teachers. Hear from CTR graduate Amaziah […]
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CTR Job Fair Connects Residents to New Opportunities
National Teachers Academy in the South Loop neighborhood recently hosted a job fair for the current cohort of AUSL’s CTR Residents. School leaders and educators representing 20 schools across Chicago gathered to showcase their school pride, programs and job opportunities for the upcoming school year. “Events like this are helpful because we get an in-person feel for Residents and an early experience with speaking to them and possibly interviewing them on the spot,” said Shardai Bell, Personalized Learning Coordinator at Sherman Elementary. “I hope residents feel the intimacy of this...
Chicago Teacher Residency Names New Values Award Recipients
Throughout the year, the Chicago Teacher Residency distributes CTR Values Awards to current Residents that embody three values: Student-Centered, Equity-Driven, and Courage to Persist. CTR staff celebrated the following award recipients at Professional Development meetings in February and March: Nicole McLean (Student-Centered)“I enthusiastically nominate Nicole McLean for the Student Center Award for her exceptional dedication and care toward students. Nicole is the definition of having a warm demeanor each day she arrives at NTA. Nicole consistently demonstrates a profound commitment to...
Mentors Embody and Create Community for CTR Residents
The Chicago Teacher Residency is (CTR) is a one-year teacher preparation program for individuals from all majors, fields, and professions. After completing a one-year residency program, individuals begin a rewarding career teaching in Chicago Public Schools. At the heart of the CTR program is the steadfast support and mentorship that CTR Residents receive through the entirety of their training year. CTR Residents are paired with a Mentor Teacher to receive a full year of in-class mentorship so they are prepared for any challenges they may face in or out of the classroom. The...
Chicago Teacher Residency hosts Partnership School Visit at The Chicago Academy Elementary School
On February 13th, 2024, the Chicago Teacher Residency (CTR) hosted “Impact in Action: CTR Partnership School Visit,” which allowed attendees the opportunity to visit classrooms, hear from a panel of Mentor Teachers, and Residents, and witness the impact of the CTR firsthand! The event was graciously hosted by talented and passionate educators at The Chicago Academy (TCA). TCA is a perfect school to experience the impact of the CTR program because of its longstanding history with the program. TCA has been a CTR training site for 20 years. Over that time, 155 Residents have trained on-site...
AUSL Attends CPS CEO Pedro Martinez’s Address to City Club
On December 5th, AUSL supported CPS CEO Pedro Martinez's address to City Club through a half table sponsorship. The half table sponsorship was used to invite AUSL team members to the event alongside LSAC members Socorro Gaytan and Jaqueline Vargas. CEO Martinez's address focused on how Chicago’s students are seeing growth in their proficiency rates, especially when looking at early literacy rates among K-2 students. Among K-2 student literacy rates in school year 2022-2023, Chicago Public Schools reported: Proficiency quadrupled, going from 9% to 39% by the end of the year Students...
The AUSL Team Convenes for Town Hall
On November 7th, the AUSL team gathered at DePaul University to come together and foster a sense of unity and purpose at an in-person town hall meeting. This collaborative event provided a platform for team members to align around the organization's mission, vision, and values, cultivating a shared understanding and commitment across teams. Beyond reinforcing our collective identity, the town hall provided an opportunity for cross-departmental connections and programmatic insights, allowing team members to delve into AUSL's rich history and strategize on maximizing impact in the coming...
Chicago Teacher Residency hosts Partnership School Visit at Marquette School of Excellence
On Thursday, December 7th, the Chicago Teacher Residency (CTR) held "Impact in Action: CTR Partnership School Visit," providing attendees with a unique opportunity to witness the impactful outcomes of the CTR program in-person. The event brought together AUSL supporters, Partnership School Principals and Assistant Principals, Program Partners, and future Residents. Marquette School of Excellence and their tremendously passionate and talented teachers generously hosted the event. Marquette School of Excellence is a PK-8 school on Chicago’s Southwest side that serves over 1000 students, of...
Chicago Teacher Residency Names 10 Values Award Recipients
Throughout the year, the Chicago Teacher Residency distributes CTR Values Awards to current Residents that embody three values: Student-Centered, Equity-Driven, and Courage to Persist. CTR staff celebrated the first awards of the year at October’s Professional Development meeting. These ten Residents were awarded a CTR Values Award before winter break: Rhonda Little (Courage to Persist) “Rhonda has demonstrated resilience throughout this program, including at Dulles Sschool of Excellence and in her DePaul courses. She’s alway eager to help and collaborate with her fellow residents....
AUSL’s 2023 Impact Report
Dear Friends and Supporters, As we turn the page and begin a new and reinvigorating era of service to quality education in Chicago and beyond, we must acknowledge the tremendous support of the partners and supporters that have made this work possible for over 20 years. This year’s Impact Report captures the story of our work in action and its authentic results, while celebrating those that make this all possible. While our role in school management has concluded, our dedication to students across Chicago and the country remains steadfast. We’ve been hard at work recruiting passionate,...
Chicago Teacher Residency Names the Year’s First Value Award Recipients
Throughout the year, the Chicago Teacher Residency distributes CTR Value Awards to current Residents that embody three values: Student-Centered, Equity-Driven, and Courage to Persist. CTR staff celebrated the first awards of the year at October's Professional Development meeting. These five Residents were the year's first award winners: Shantavia Russell (Student-Centered) “Shantavia is extremely student centered and driven in all the work she does. She has built extremely strong relationships and rapport with her students. She has a positive no nonsense warm demeanor teacher...
