IEA/NEA
What does IEA stand for?
Illinois Education Association
Which law requires that students with disabilities be educated in the least restrictive environment (LRE)?
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
What is one important skill aspiring educators should develop?
Classroom management, lesson planning, communication, etc.
Which major is the most common for students in the College of Education at UIUC?
Elementary Education
What is the most commonly taught foreign language in U.S. schools?
Spanish
The IEA is primarily an organization for which group of professionals? (give 2 examples)
Teachers, education support staff, public school employees, and aspiring educators
What is an example of a social justice issue that impacts education?
School funding inequalities, racial disparities, or access to special education services.
Name one organization that supports future teachers in the U.S.
NEA Aspiring Educators, Teach for America, etc.
The College of Education at UIUC was ranked among the top 20 education schools in the U.S. in 2024. What is the ranking?
19
What is one classic children’s book that teachers often read aloud?
Ex: The very hungry caterpillar (multiple right answers)
Name two key issues that the NEA advocates for.
Teacher pay, education funding, student loan forgiveness, equity in education, etc.
What is a “school choice voucher,” and why is it not beneficial to public schools?
A school choice voucher is a government-funded certificate allowing students to attend private or charter schools. They take taxpayer dollars from public schools and give that money to private schools, who have less accountability.
What is a common requirement for earning a teaching license?
Passing a certification exam (like the edTPA or Praxis), completing student teaching, etc.
What is one area of research in the College of Education at UIUC that focuses on how children learn in different environments?
Learning sciences
What 90s TV show featured a teacher named Mr. Feeny?
Boy meets world
What year was NEA founded?
1857
What is one organization that advocates for students’ rights in education?
The National Education Association (NEA) or the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
What is one pedagogical theory that supports student-centered learning?
Constructivism (Piaget) or Social Learning Theory (Vygotsky).
Which graduate program at UIUC’s College of Education prepares students for careers in educational leadership and administration?
Educational Administration or Educational Policy
What is the most dangerous question to ask a group of kindergarteners?
"Does anyone have a story to share?" (Prepare for a 20-minute tangent!) (Multiple answers)
Name two major benefits IEA offers its members.
Legal support, professional development, networking opportunities, or advocacy for education policies
How does being in Tier 2 of the state’s pension system impact educators hired after Jan. 1, 2011?
They pay the same amount toward retirement as those in Tier 1, but receive reduced retirement benefits, which has contributed to teacher shortages and retention issues.
What are three challenges that new teachers often face?
Burnout, classroom management, work-life balance, adapting to diverse learners, etc.
What is the primary focus of the “Culturally Responsive Teaching” program at UIUC’s College of Education?
To prepare educators to engage with and teach diverse student populations
What is the most commonly used letter in the English language?
E!