AUSL blog
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Chicago’s Need for Special Education Teachers
If you’re considering a career as a teacher, you might find the most rewarding opportunities in special education. Over the past decade, Chicago and the nation have experienced a severe shortage of special education teachers. Special education teachers work with students who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities. In 2019–20, […]
A Return to School Perspective from the Academy for Urban School Leadership
As Chicago Public Schools students head back to the classroom this month for their first full-time, in-person learning experience in 17 months, many will be grappling with significant learning and social emotional loss. After schools transitioned to remote learning in March 2020 and only partially reopened in spring 2021, an alarming number of students were […]
Twenty years of Transforming Lives in and out of the Classroom
AUSL is an equity-focused non-profit that works tirelessly with the belief that all students should have access to an excellent education. Since 2001, AUSL’s conviction for equity in education has impacted thousands of students and families who reside in under-resourced communities. This weekend the Chicago Teacher Residency celebrated the graduation of Diverse Learner, Elementary, and Middle School teachers. Hear from CTR graduate Amaziah […]
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The Academy for Urban School Leadership Elevates Student Success with Annual Fundraiser
Philanthropists Greg and Kim Wasson and Institutional Partner DePaul University Honored on November 9, 2022 for Their Support of Equity in Education
AUSL Celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week
Last week, AUSL celebrated Teachers Appreciation Week at several Chicago Teacher Residency Partnership and network schools. Dr. Annise Lewis, AUSL Chief of Schools, and Deputy Chief of Schools Tosha Jackson visited several schools to meet with teachers and school leaders to convey their gratitude for the overwhelming commitment school staff provide to their schools, students, and communities. Donald Feinstein, Ph.D., AUSL Executive Director, stated, “Teachers can change lives by instilling knowledge, confidence, self-worth, and patience. AUSL celebrates the alumni of our Chicago Teacher...
Chicago’s Need for Special Education Teachers
If you're considering a career as a teacher, you might find the most rewarding opportunities in special education. Over the past decade, Chicago and the nation have experienced a severe shortage of special education teachers. Special education teachers work with students who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities. In 2019–20, the number of students ages 3–21 who received special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was 7.3 million, or 14 percent of all public-school students. Data shows that black and brown...
The Academy for Urban School Leadership to hold its Twentieth Anniversary Annual Fundraiser on November 3, 2021
Philanthropists Mike and Robin Zafirovski and Corporate Champion Greg Case, CEO of Aon, Honored for Their Support of Equity in Education CHICAGO, November 1, 2021 -- The Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL), an education equity-focused nonprofit, is holding its annual fundraiser to celebrate its twentieth anniversary on Wednesday, November 3rd, 2021, at 5:30 PM at the Four Seasons Hotel, 120 E Delaware Place Chicago, IL. Revenue raised from the event will fund incremental supports for AUSL’s Chicago Teacher Residency which provides educator training and professional development for...
AUSL Board Member Named a CRAIN’s Notable Nonprofit Board Leader
AUSL Board Member, Cardelle Spangler Named a Crain's Chicago Business Notable Nonprofit Board Leader Congratulations to Cardelle B. Spangler on her inclusion as a Crain’s Chicago Business Notable Nonprofit Board Leader. The highly selective list is comprised of individuals who did not take time out during the pandemic and continued to carry out their organization's mission even as lockdowns made it difficult. "Cardelle exemplifies the kind of leader that inspires AUSL’s board and management to be their very best during these times for our students, families, and communities," stated Dr....
A Return to School Perspective from the Academy for Urban School Leadership
As Chicago Public Schools students head back to the classroom this month for their first full-time, in-person learning experience in 17 months, many will be grappling with significant learning and social emotional loss. After schools transitioned to remote learning in March 2020 and only partially reopened in spring 2021, an alarming number of students were absent from their classes and/or earned failing grades. Additionally, the isolation and stresses of stay-at-home protocols created gaps in their social-emotional skills. This is especially true in low-income communities on the South...
AUSL Launches New Advertising to Appear in Crain’s Chicago Business and the Chicago Tribune
Educational Equity Nonprofit Brings Excellence to Chicago Schools The Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL) is an equity focused non-profit that works tirelessly with the belief that all students should have access to an excellent education. Since 2001, AUSL's conviction for equity in education has impacted thousands of students and families who reside in under-resourced communities. AUSL's Chicago Teacher Residency (CTR) has trained 1,218 teachers. Over 80% of our 2021 CTR class graduates are teachers of color, and 54% are special needs teachers. The Path Forward - AUSL has...
Twenty years of Transforming Lives in and out of the Classroom
AUSL is an equity-focused non-profit that works tirelessly with the belief that all students should have access to an excellent education. Since 2001, AUSL’s conviction for equity in education has impacted thousands of students and families who reside in under-resourced communities. This weekend the Chicago Teacher Residency celebrated the graduation of Diverse Learner, Elementary, and Middle School teachers. Hear from CTR graduate Amaziah Burton, class of 2021, on why she chose to become a resident in AUSL’s Chicago Teacher Residency. AUSL's Chicago Teacher Residency has trained 1,218...
AUSL’s Creative Writing Group -An Anthology of Snippets
AUSL offered an after-school creative writing program to 4th - 8th graders. The purpose of this program was to inspire creative writing for our network schools through teacher-led initiatives. In partnership with ChiArts, teachers attended Professional Development sessions that provided a toolkit for implementation. Click below to read the student work from school year 2021.
AUSL Schools to Transition Back to CPS Management
Upon a joint review of the successful transformation of the Chicago Public Schools under our management, CPS has announced that AUSL will begin to transition management of its schools back to their respective CPS geographic networks. The transition will begin mid-summer 2021 and conclude mid-summer 2023. Chicago Public Schools cited the “sustained progress” of AUSL schools in announcing its proposal to return the schools to district management. “AUSL has been a critical partner in helping schools and communities in need of additional support, which has led to years of consistent, stable,...
