When there aren’t enough teachers trained to teach students with disabilities, we fail the vulnerable students who most need educators’ help. We must help teachers get the training they need to be able to teach all of their students, including students with disabilities.

The Kennedy Krieger Institute established the Center for Innovation and Leadership in Special Education.  For the past five years, the center has offered fellowships to teachers who join us from across the country. During their year with us, fellows study the neuroscience of learning and the learner; the principles of behavior change; and educational law, administrative leadership and effective resource appropriation. Fellows are also prepared to develop, acquire, translate and use scientific evidence to design and implement high-quality lesson plans that will benefit students of all abilities.

One of the things that makes this program so effective is that each of its fellows completes two separate internships, both of which emphasize leadership in special education. Fellows often go on to assume key leadership roles in public and private schools.

Read the full article about special education teachers training to be leaders by Nancy Grasmick at The Hechinger Report.