Student Organizations
College of Education students have ample opportunities to be involved in professional organizations related to their majors.
Association for Childhood Education, International (ACEI)
A professional organization for those involved in the education of children from infancy through early adolescence. Members of ACEI share a dual commitment to the fulfillment of every child's potential and to the professional development of the classroom teacher. Open to all students interested in children from infancy through early adolescence.
Faculty Sponsors:
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Student Leader:
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Best Buddies
An organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships. Monthly meetings bring all Best Buddies on campus for group activities with individuals with disabilities. Also, we have individual contacts with our Best Buddy on a weekly basis. For example, A Night at the Movies is a fun activity enjoyed by Best Buddies. Meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month.
Faculty Sponsor:
Student Leader:
Sarah Hudson
Braille Birds
The Braille Birds student organization advocates for and provides community services that facilitate the integration of individuals with visual impairments at Illinois State University, in the local community, and throughout Illinois. Membership is open to anyone interested in braille or the field of visual impairments. Meetings are every other Wednesday except when they fall on finals or university breaks.
Faculty sponsor: Stacy Kelly
Student leaders:
Kathryn King and Morgan Gniewek-Massaro
Collegiate Middle Level Association (CMLA)
The Collegiate Middle Level Association (CMLA) is a professional organization for all Middle Level Teacher Education majors or those interested in the education of young adolescents. This association offers members a chance to interact with others interested in Middle Level Education on both a professional and social level, as well as hearing guest speakers who deal with current topics concerning future middle level educators.
Faculty Sponsors:
Student Leader: Rebecca Meyer
Deaf Redbirds
An organization providing opportunities for socialization between people who are deaf or hard of hearing and people who desire contact with the deaf community. We wish to establish deaf awareness through athletic and service activities.
Faculty Sponsors:
Student Leaders:
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Future Educators Association Profession (FEAP)
FEA Professional provides students with opportunities to explore careers in education, as well as contribute to the growth of the community through volunteerism. With meetings and events, we strive to provide members with as many tools and experiences that are available in order to enhance their growth as a future educator.
Faculty Sponsor:
Student Leader:
Golden Apple
Faculty Sponsor:
Student Leaders: Kevin Farrell, Ryan Ehman, and Nate Titus
Kappa Delta Epsilon (KDE)
A national education fraternity that requires a 3.0 GPA for honorary membership. KDE promotes the cause of education by fostering a spirit of fellowship, high standards of scholastic attainment, and professional ideals among its members. Illinois State was one of the founding chapters in 1933.
Faculty Sponsor:
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Student Leader: n/a
Kappa Delta Pi/Mu Chapter (KDP)
An international honorary society in education. Membership in Mu chapter is open to undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty members, and other professional educators without regard to race, age, color, religion, gender, or disability, dependent upon fulfillment of the certain qualifications. Illinois State's KDP was the twelfth chapter to be established by Professor Schroeder (Schroeder Hall is named after him) and Stella Henderson (each spring a monetary award is given in her honor to an education major) on March 4, 1922.
Faculty Sponsor:
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Student Leaders:
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National Art Education Association
A strong pre-professional organization with members dedicated to Art Education. We seek to create professional, local, and national connections that help art become a dominant subject in modern education.
Faculty Sponsor:
Judith Briggs
Student Leaders:
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
An organization dedicated to improving the well-being of all young children, with particular focus on the quality of educational and developmental services for all young children, birth through age 8. Membership is open to all individuals who share a desire to serve and act on behalf of the needs and rights of all young children.
Faculty Sponsors: Miranda Lin
Student Leader:
Student Association for Bilingual Education (SABE)
An association providing dual language teacher education students with a social and academic student organization that will provide understanding of the bilingual educator and a sounding board in matters affecting their profession.
Faculty Sponsor:
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Student Leader:
Claudia Lamas
Student Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
Chapter provides members with opportunities to share fun, learning, and leadership experiences with a diverse group of people on the Illinois State campus, who share a concern for all children with special needs. Social and professional events/speakers provide an environment for education majors to discuss issues and pursue activities related to special education. Meetings are on the second Tuesday of the month, except when they fall on finals or university breaks.
Faculty Sponsor:
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Student Leader:
Student Education Association (SEA)
An association allowing prospective educators to develop an understanding of the education profession. It provides for a united student voice in matters affecting their profession. It aims to influence the conditions under which prospective educators are prepared and to advance the interest and welfare of students preparing for careers in education.
Faculty Sponsor: Colleen Herald
Student Leader: Brittany Archibald and Katie Meyers
Students Serving Individuals with Disabilities (SSID)
An organization providing service-based activities to support individuals with disabilities. Unlike other student organizations, SSID is not affiliated with state or national chapters, but began as a grassroots organization born from an interest in serving individuals with disabilities within the Bloomington-Normal communities. Meetings are on the first Wednesday of the month. There are currently no fees for joining our organization.
Faculty Sponsor:
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Student Leader:
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Students Using and Integrating Technology in Education (SUITE)
The organization provides learning opportunities and informs members of emerging and current applications of technology in education. It also provides opportunities to connect with others in the educational community with an emphasis on technology innovation. The group advocates use of contemporary technologies within the Illinois State campus community. Membership is open to all majors who want to increase their knowledge of technology.
Faculty Sponsor:
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Student Leader:
Theatre Education Association (TEA)
The purpose of the organization is to raise awareness of theatre education and theatre/drama in education through support for future theatre educators producing works with students. The goals of the organization are to apply educational theory and best practice ideas through real-life experiences in theatre. This organization works in the local communities and connects with other theatre education professionals in Illinois.
Faculty Sponsor:
Student Leader:
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Urban Needs in Teacher Education (UNITE)
Offers students opportunities to learn about urban education through hands-on experience and introductions to education's most influential professionals.
Faculty Sponsor:
Student Leader: Laura Montgomery and Becky Park