Continued Teacher Education

Alumni from the UChicago Urban Teacher Education Program who go on to work in Chicago Public Schools receive additional training, professional development, coaching, and general supports.

These supports include in-classroom instructional coaching, inquiry groups, quarterly workshops, specialized coaching, access to an online professional community, monthly first-year induction meetings, and funding to attend educational conferences or other professional development opportunities.

In-Classroom Induction Coaching

UChicago UTEP coaches are full-time staff members who also teach in the program. The coaches will help new teachers cultivate their teacher-leadership skills, deepen their practice, and build on a shared understanding of pedagogy.

Inquiry Groups

Inquiry groups are clustered by grade level and / or subject areas and are open to second-year teachers and beyond. These groups use a shared protocol in which rotating leaders pose specific questions about practice. They bring in evidence—in the form of student work, videos, or lesson plans—that pertains to the question and the group discusses implications and offers strategies for moving teaching and learning forward. Alumni are encouraged to involve their school colleagues from beyond the UTEP family. Past inquiry group topics have included writing workshops, math problem solving, teacher-leadership development, the importance of play, and preparing for national board certification.

Quarterly Events and Workshops

These events are open to all alumni, current students, and colleagues of alumni and feature a wide range of topics and objectives. One of the most popular workshops has been UTEP's Book Club, an annual event where an author leads a discussion of his or her education-related book. Past authors have included educators such as Pedro Moguera, Vivian Paley, William Ayers, Greg Mitchie, Esme Codell, and Mica Pollack.

Online Professional Community

UChicago UTEP alumni and staff maintain a vibrant online professional forum for new teachers to raise questions and concerns. Through this network they receive prompt and thoughtful feedback from staff, clinical instructors, and alumni who have become experienced teachers in their own right. The online community also offers the opportunity to share successful lessons, units, and other resources.