Two UC colleges collaborated on a unique learning and networking opportunity
On March 22, 2024, in the Health Sciences Building on the University of Cincinnati campus, students from various programs across two colleges gathered for a collaborative event aimed at providing hands-on training for students pursuing a variety of careers in the field of education. It was the second event of its kind this academic year following a similar collaboration in fall 2023.
"This collaboration aims to provide an Individual Educational Program simulation for UC undergraduate special education students and related service provider graduate students in occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language pathology, school counseling and school psychology,” explains co-organizer Yvette Pennington, an assistant professor in the School of Education within the College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology (CECH), which partnered with the College of Allied Health Sciences for the event.
Area school administrators were invited to campus to meet with students and provide real-world perspectives. Photo/CECH Marketing
After a welcome message from CAHS dean Charity Accuso, students were invited to chat with area superintendents on hand to participate in the day’s event. Then students and the visiting administrators broke into groups to work on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for a provided scenario. As this work is a critical component of special education, the simulated scenario gave students hands-on experience they can carry forward into their future careers.
Pennington explains that all public schools are required by the Department of Education to organize an IEP meeting for students receiving special education services; required attendees are the special education teacher, general education teacher and parent(s), as well as a school district representative and an educational professional to interpret assessment results (often a school psychologist). The breakout sessions provided mock versions of these meetings, with students from CECH and CAHS, and school administrators collaborating in an IEP team as they developed a plan for a simulated student.
District-level administrators were able to provide our students with feedback on current trends and issues occurring in the school districts."
Yvette Pennington, School of Education assistant professor
“This interprofessional event allowed students to practice goal setting and the impact of an Individualized Education Plan on a simulated student or client,” says co-organizer and professor Pamela Greenstone-Childers, who serves as the interim associate dean of Academic Affairs in CAHS as well as the department head of Clinical and Health Information Sciences. “The CAHS and CECH event provided an additional level of training for students and … allowed administrators to participate.”
The event also facilitated networking between future education professionals and area employers.
“I would call it an informal recruitment opportunity,” says Pennington. “It allowed the education students to get directly in front of these district-level administrators and to provide them with their resume. Districts are always looking for opportunities to present themselves to potential employees and have them come on as teachers eventually.”
Wyoming City Schools superintendent Tim Weber speaks with students in a networking event designed, in part, to lead to future employment opportunities. Photo/CECH Marketing
Wyoming City Schools superintendent Tim Weber confirms the value of this organized introduction to tomorrow’s jobseekers. “I loved participating because I got to meet future candidates,” he says. “That's always a plus for the school district, a great opportunity to network and meet people who are going into the field, get a perspective on their preparation. There were times where we were able to just chitchat and have small, individual conversations outside of the formality of the event.”
At the end of the event and with a completed IEP-development project in hand, students had gained invaluable experience to take into their careers as education leaders prepared to meet the needs of the communities they serve.
“As an educator, I want someone who's had opportunities like that rather than not,” says Weber. “I would suppose that maybe not all students have that.”
Featured image at top: CECH and CAHS students, area school administrators and a few parents collaborated on simulated IEP development in a unique networking event at UC. Photo/CECH Marketing.
Next Lives Here
CECH’s School of Education is highly regarded for preparing the next generation of educators. The program is led by a team of experienced and qualified faculty who are dedicated to teaching students to meet the demands of modern classrooms and address the educational needs of diverse student populations. The program offers a variety of courses and experiences that will help students develop their understanding of child development, instructional methods, and classroom management.