Student Organizations
Aspiring Educators (formerly Student WEA) is a statewide pre-professional organization for all prospective teachers. It is your bridge to a career as a professional educator and link with practicing teachers in your community. Aspiring Educators
offers many membership benefits and provides many programs and
activities throughout the year. The UWSP local chapter is the largest in the state and regularly receives state and national award. A membership fee is involved.
The Association for the Education of Young Children is a local affiliate for the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Membership is open to students and others in the central Wisconsin area who are interested in the education of young children.
The purpose of AEYC is to unite early childhood professionals and others dedicated to improving the quality of services for young children and their families. The Stevens Point chapter of the AEYC meets twice monthly, one business meeting and one professional program meeting. Both are attended by students.
Membership fees of $35 yearly include membership in the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and a subscription to the Journal of the NAEYC, Young Children.
Founded in 1911 at the University of Illinois, Kappa Delta Pi was established to foster excellence in education and promote fellowship among those dedicated to teaching. Pioneering from its beginning by including women as well as men, Kappa Delta Pi grew from a local chapter to the international organization it is today.
Today Kappa Delta Pi is the only education honor society that represents all facets of the education profession for undergraduates, graduate/doctoral students, K-12 teachers, administrators, university faculty, and retirees. There are now chapters at 582 North American colleges and universities, active professional/alumni chapters in 12 states, and a total active membership of more than 45,000. We will be celebrating 100 years of excellence in education in 2011.
The UWSP chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, the Pi Epsilon Chapter, was founded in 1983. Our chapter has earned a national award, the ACE (Achieving Chapter Excellence), at each national KDP Biennial Convocation since 2005.
The Student Council for Exceptional Children is a local affiliate of the Council for Exceptional Children. The Council for Exceptional Children is the primary national organization supporting professionals who teach children with learning and behavioral exceptionalities. This includes children with:
- Cognitive Disabilities
- Learning Disabilities
- Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities
- Early Childhood Special Education Needs
- Giftedness
- and other exceptionalities
SCEC is dedicated to improving the education of children with exceptionalities, raising awareness among the general population about children with exceptionalities, and establishing a network of pre-service teachers who intend to educate children with learning and behavioral exceptionalities.
Many physical education majors choose to join the Students for Health,
Physical Education, and Recreation Club. The SHAPER Club is very active
in community service, professional development, and social support.
Members facilitate activities for the local Boys and Girls Club,
coordinate an Activities Night for the local Head Start, run food drives
for the Salvation Army, and volunteer for local events.
They
also fundraise to attend conferences on the state and national levels.
The club meets one night per month. Each meeting consists of a 30 minute
business meeting and the 30-45 minutes of SHAPERmurals (sport
competition).
The club also participates in one social event
together per month. Activities have included skiing, bowling, potlucks,
and attending sporting events. Any major can join the club. Membership
is $10 per year.
Student Council for the Social Studies
The Student Council for the Social Studies is a campus affiliate for the National Council for Social Studies (NCSS) and the Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies (WCSS). Membership is open to students who are interested in social studies education, including the teaching of history, geography, political science, economics, psychology, sociology, and anthropology.
The purpose of SCSS is to:
-
Strengthen the social studies profession and social studies programs in schools.
- Develop in prospective social studies educators the ability to teach students the content knowledge, intellectual skills, and civic values necessary for fulfilling the duties of citizenship in a participatory democracy.
- Promote social studies on campus and in the community to further our goals as future teachers. SCSS meets twice monthly, one formal meeting with a program and business meeting, and one informal meeting focused on issues of common concern/interest.
Membership fees of $10 yearly include membership in the Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies, and a subscription to the WCSS Journal.
State Professional Organizations
The Wisconsin State Reading Association provides leadership, advocacy, and professional learning for the implementation of effective research based literacy practices. Our 3,000 member organization is made up of a rich variety of reading teachers and reading specialists, classroom teachers, college professors, and others working to contribute to the education and literacy of all children.
WHPE is dedicated to the promotion and support of health enhancing lifestyles. Its mission is to provide members with professional development opportunities and be advocates for our profession.
The Midwest District, one of six
districts of SHAPE America, is dedicated to furthering the purposes of the
organization within the geographical area of Midwest District. Midwest
District has been promoting healthy lifestyles and quality HPERD
programs since its founding in 1912.
