School of Education Student Organizations

Through UIndy's School of Education, you can get involved in student organizations that help you gain valuable professional experience and connect with other students who share your interests.

Aspiring Educators

The Aspiring Educators works to help students develop a better understanding of the education profession through activities outside of class assignments and projects and offers future teachers a variety of professional development opportunities. Through this organization, you can connect with professionals in the education field, develop leadership skills and participate in community service.

Kappa Delta Pi

UIndy's Sigma Omicron chapter of Kappa Delta Pi (KDP), the international honor society in education, provides leadership and professional development opportunities. To be a member, you must meet one of the following minimum requirements:

• Degree-seeking students shall be enrolled in or have already completed six hours of education courses; have a minimum collegiate GPA of 3.0 (or the equivalent of 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale if a different system is used by the institution); and support KDP's mission, vision and values.
• Alternative Certification candidates with a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree shall be enrolled in or have already completed six hours of education courses and support KDP's mission, vision, and values. There is no GPA requirement for someone who is pursuing teaching credentials and has earned a baccalaureate degree. 
• Teachers who are in-service professionals with a degree.

The chapter has been recognized as one of the top chapters in the nation and has received the ACE (Achieving Chapter Excellence) Award every award year since 2005. In 2013, the chapter received the Dr. Florence B. Stratemeyer Award for Chapter Excellence, the highest award given to chapters.

Teacher candidates involved in KDP exemplify leadership and service in education on campus and in the community. Each year they sponsor several signature events that provide professional development and networking opportunities for members and fellow Teacher Education students, including:

• KDP Conversation series including:
  • Fall Conversation with Urban Teachers: A panel of teachers from Indianapolis-area schools shares insights for working in urban schools.
  • Winter Conversation with Teacher Partners: A panel of educators and specialists who support the classroom teachers to ensure success with a variety of learners.
  • Spring Conversation with Beginning Teachers A panel of recent UIndy graduates shares their experiences from their first year of teaching and gives advice for applying and interviewing for jobs.
• KDP Practice Interviews
  • Each March, graduating education candidates refine their interviewing skills with candidates from the Principal Preparation program before entering the job market.
• KDP Literacy Alive! Service Project
  • Second semester our chapter develops a service project to promote literacy and support oncology patients in area children’s hospitals.
• KDP Convo
  • We send a delegation of members to participate in the KDP national conference. Here we share and gain ideas with other chapters and colleagues.

Graduating KDP members can apply for an innovation grant to use in their elementary or secondary classroom as well as earn honor cords to wear at graduation. For more information about the national organization, visit www.kdp.org.