Community Engagement

Taking education out into the community

We believe that teacher education works best when students get out of IUPUI classrooms and into community schools.

This philosophy gives you early and extensive professional experience. It also gives our community access to more teachers and offers local schools more opportunities to help their students succeed.

The School of Education hosts the 2023 Indianapolis Regional Spelling Bee

This was the first year the IU School of Education sponsored the regional bee event. The competition encourages the exploration of words and lifelong curiosity, with a focus on helping students set goals and dedicate time to study and prepare. Participation in the bee program also provides an opportunity for students to gain experience in public speaking and poise under pressure.

Learn more about the Spelling Bee here!

SOE Faculty present at IBE

Kazembe, Santamaria Graff, Skelton, and Flowers present
IU School of Education at IUPUI faculty present virtually at the Indiana Black Expo to a national audience.

530Interns are actively engaged in Indianapolis Public Schools each year

13,800Hours our students spend gaining field experiences at community schools last year

140,800Student teaching hours spent in Indianapolis Public Schools last year

Promoting literacy instruction

Our elementary education faculty has secured grants to help area schools improve their literacy instruction for each of the last ten years. We also work with the Indiana Partnership for Young Writers to provide professional development opportunities and in-school coaching every year.

Mentoring student interns in STEM fields

Faculty from STEM fields work with the Indianapolis Public Schools' science coach to mentor Transition to Teaching interns and Woodrow Wilson fellows at area secondary schools. 

Supporting English as a new language

Annela Teemant, an SOE faculty member, has secured two federal grants to support Indianapolis public school teachers. These grants will provide development opportunities for those teaching English as a new language.