OUR MISSION
The Mission of the Monarch Center comes from two related factors: statistics demonstrate an overrepresentation of
culturally and linguistically diverse students in special education classrooms; the United States continues to
experience tremendous personnel shortages in the fields of special education and related services.
The Monarch Center provides grantsmanship and program development services to faculty
at Minority Institutions of Higher Education (MIHEs). Improved grantsmanship skills and program
development services are intended to enable MIHEs to compete successfully for federal personnel preparation
funds and to develop/enhance their special education and related services personnel preparation degree
programs. Two strands of technical assistance are offered: a) Program Development and Enhancement and
b) Grant Proposal Development.
By supporting MIHE faculty in the pursuit of educational excellence for their programs and students and
enhancing access to funding, the overarching goal of the Monarch Center is to affect positive change in
the lives of children with disabilities and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
The Monarch Center promotes appreciation of the talents and concerns of persons with disabilities and advancement of their
full participation in the activities of the Center. Together we create a workplace where people are valued as individuals and
team members and where respect, understanding and fairness inform our conversations, activities and events.
Furthermore, we value the viewpoints and contributions of individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. A concerted effort
is made to integrate various viewpoints at all levels of Monarch Center work. A rich diversity of perspectives is gained
from the Monarch Center Advisory Board members, who identify with and represent the interests of African-Americans, Asian/Pacific Islanders,
Alaska Natives and American Indians, Latinos, individuals with special needs, parents of individuals with special needs, and English Learners. The contexts of
rural and urban education are also represented across Advisory Board membership.
Moreover, the Monarch Center Program Development and Enhancement seminars feature various themes related to this mission as identified and communicated by the field, including "Culturally
Responsive Instruction", "Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Personnel Preparation", and "Non-Traditional Routes to Certification in
Special Education". Finally, the Monarch Center staff and Senior Advisors reflect the diverse cultural, linguistic, and disability
heritage of Chicago and the nation.
CONTACT
866 323-7648
monarch@uic.edu
OUR STAFF
University of Illinois at Chicago
/
Senior Advisors
|
