College of Education & Human Services

Organizations and Affiliations

The School of Education hosts clubs, organizations and events for area youth, current WIU students, and PK-12 teachers and administrators. Events such as the Outstanding Pre-service Teacher Awards Ceremony or Department Scholar celebrate the achievements of students in the Elementary and Special Education undergraduate programs. The Administrator Roundtable provides principals and superintendents the opportunity to network and stay current with important initiatives related to the profession. 

Learn more about the teaching profession, develop and refine your skills, and build a network with your future colleagues through guest speakers, peer mentoring, professional development, and socializing – it’s all waiting for you!

Student Organizations

Aspiring Educators

With a focus on outreach and professional growth, this club focuses on teacher quality, community engagement, and political action. 

Advisor: Eric Mansfield

Kappa Delta Pi - International Honors Society in Education

Professional development and career support, community of teaching excellence, student scholarships, classroom teacher grants, advocacy and public policy – it’s all a part of this international organization. 

Advisor: Abha Singh and Sebastian Szyjka

Western Rocketry

This club provides students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experiences in designing, building, and launching model rockets. 

Advisor: Sebastian Szyjka and Doug LaFountain 

Coming soon!
  • The Association of Bilingual/Bicultural Education Students (ABBES)
  • Early Childhood Student Association
  • QC Society of Educators

Click here to view all of the student clubs at Western https://wiu.presence.io/ (requires WIU sign-on credentials)

Professional Growth

Administrators' Round Table - Coordinator: Jim LaPrad 

America Reads- Coordinator: Melissa Stinnett

Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools (AIRSS)

Golden Apple Scholars- Coordinator: Eric Mansfield

Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education

Spotlight on Research

Immersive Experience

Education-Themed Living Learning Residence Hall Floor - Coordinator: Lisa Litchfield

Tribal School Student Teaching Initiative - Coordinator: Sally Adams 

 

Resources and Affiliations

Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools (AIRSS)

Spotlight on Research

Events Every Semester

  1. Kappa Delta Pi Workshops (1-2 per semester), KDP Club
  2. Project Wet, Wild or Learning Tree Workshops, Science Education Center
  3. Star Lab, Science Education Center
  4. Family Science Nights (1 per semester), Science Education Center
  5. Western Rocketry Launches (3-4 per semester), Western Rocketry Club
  6. Outstanding Preservice Teaching Award Ceremony, School of Education

Annual Signature Events

January

  1. Love of Literacy Student Conference, Melissa Stinnett
  2. Integration of Technology Student Conference, Barry Birnbaum
  3. Special Education "Love" Fundraiser, Barry Birnbaum

February 

  1. Western Illinois University Regional Science Olympiad, Sebastian Szyjka

April

  1. Administrator Roundtable, Jim LaPrad
  2. K8 Science Update Conference, Sebastian Szyjka
  3. Thomas E. Helm Undergraduate Research Conference, Centennial Honors College

May

  1. Kappa Delta Pi Initiation Ceremony, Abha Singh