Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning

10/16/2026

Libraries have long played an important role in helping children develop early literacy skills. But how does that work connect to the science of reading and the instruction children receive in school?

CELL Literacy Training Specialist Emily Hoppel recently explored that connection during a virtual professional learning session presented to community-based librarians through the Indiana State Library.

Emily brought a school-based literacy perspective to the conversation, helping participants better understand the role of oral language in literacy development and how their existing programs and services can complement evidence-based instruction in early elementary classrooms.

The session is just one example of how CELL brings literacy expertise beyond the classroom, connecting research and practice across the many settings that contribute to children's learning.

Learn more about how CELL supports literacy efforts in schools, educator preparation programs, and community-based organizations: cell.uindy.edu/literacy

10/15/2026

Last week, Dr. Anna Stokke led a CELL webinar on myths in math education.

Missed the webinar or want a deeper dive? Check out this report from Dr. Stokke on Five Math Education Misconceptions That Are Holding Students Back:

Several popular ideas in math education are unsupported by high-quality evidence, used at the wrong stage of learning, or harmful to student learning.

10/14/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined CELL for the Early College Collective on October 13 at UIndy!

Educators from 48 Indiana high schools came together with higher education partners and state leaders to share ideas, explore challenges, and strengthen Early College practices.

The day featured the recognition of seven newly endorsed Early College high schools, a school-wide presentation from Kokomo High School, role-alike sessions for teachers, school counselors, and administrators, and collaborative discussions focused on student success.

And amid the hard work of building and sustaining Early College programs, participants were reminded why it all matters: the students. Together, they held up more than 160 names representing young people whose lives have been changed through Early College.

With 74 endorsed Early College high schools across Indiana, we're proud to support a network committed to expanding opportunities for students. Thank you to everyone who continues to make this work possible!

Learn more about Early College and get involved at: https://cell.uindy.edu/our-work/early-college-high-school/

10/13/2026

You’re already making a difference in the classroom. Your next step could be becoming a licensed teacher.

UIndy Teach, UIndy’s Elementary Education Paraprofessional Pathway, is designed for working paraprofessionals who want to earn a bachelor’s degree and prepare for teacher licensure while continuing in their current roles.

With this 100% online program from the University of Indianapolis, you can:
• Complete your bachelor’s degree in as little as two years after transferring your associate degree
• Continue working while you learn
• Apply your coursework directly to your current classroom
• Prepare for elementary teacher licensure
• Learn alongside a cohort of peers who understand your experience
• Receive support from school-based and UIndy faculty mentors

Ready to take the next step?

Learn more: https://uindy.edu/cebs/education/teaching/eled-paraprofessional

University of Indianapolis School of Education

10/12/2026

Happy fall break! 🍂

Fall break looks a little different for every school community. Whether you’re wrapping up a break, just heading into one, or have another week or two to go, we hope you find time to rest, recharge, and reset. From all of us at CELL, thank you for the leadership and care you bring to learning communities every day!

10/09/2026

📅 Save the date for the 2027 Indiana Early College Summit!

June 3, 2027
New Palestine High School

The Indiana Early College Summit turns five in 2027, and we’re going big to celebrate!

Expect more breakout sessions, more activities, and more opportunities to learn, share ideas, and connect with educators and partners from across Indiana.

Whether you’re a teacher, school counselor, administrator, postsecondary representative, or education partner, mark your calendar for a full day focused on strengthening Early College opportunities for students.

More details: cell.uindy.edu/summit

10/08/2026

🎉 Please join us in congratulating Deer Creek Elementary School (Hamilton Southeastern Schools) for being selected as a Celebrate Your School Award Top 25 honoree!

Deer Creek Elementary in Noblesville has built a strong culture of literacy through consistent, purposeful support for teachers, students, and families. Regular collaboration and professional development, a dedicated literacy coach, targeted small-group instruction, and strong school leadership have helped the school achieve a 98% IREAD pass rate among general education students. Deer Creek has also made families an important part of its literacy efforts through school events and activities that encourage reading at home. As students build confidence and enthusiasm for reading, the school is using its Celebrate Your School Award funds to expand access to books and build on the momentum already underway.

CELL’s Celebrate Your School Awards provide monetary gifts to schools as part of our 25th anniversary in 2026, recognizing excellence and celebrating the educators who make our work possible. Deer Creek Elementary was selected out of almost 100 submissions and plans to use the funds to expand access to books and build on the momentum already underway.

Congratulations on this accomplishment!

View all of the award recipients: https://cell.uindy.edu/about/25th-anniversary/celebrate-your-school-awards

10/08/2026

Parkside Elementary School in Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation has been part of the Indiana Literacy Cadre for the past two years. In 2026, they surpassed the statewide reading goal with more than 96% of their students passing IREAD, including a 100% pass rate for students receiving special education services.

At a recent State Board of Education meeting, Principal Chris Smith shared, “It’s not about a score…it’s about having successful readers and lifelong learners in the future.”

10/07/2026

CELL is supporting a comprehensive professional development initiative to elevate the quality of charter school authorizing across Indiana in partnership with the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) and the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE).

This multi-year project focuses on evaluating the current charter sector, identifying growth opportunities for individual authorizers, and implementing customized learning plans to ensure every student in Indiana’s charter schools has access to a high-quality education.

CELL and the Indiana Charter Innovation Center (ICIC) also serve in an advisory capacity to NACSA, helping ensure the work remains grounded in Indiana's policy context, priorities, and educational needs.

Drawing on its expertise in leadership development and stakeholder engagement, CELL facilitates critical learning opportunities and strategic communication across the initiative, including six in-person professional development events hosted on the University of Indianapolis campus.

This month’s in-person meeting at the University of Indianapolis featured a deep dive into compliance monitoring and intervention, providing technical assistance and sharing best practices with schools.

10/07/2026

CELL has a new job opening for a Director of Principal Leadership to provide strategic and operational oversight for a new initiative to strengthen Indiana’s pipeline of current and future school leaders.

Learn more and apply today: https://jobs.keldair.com/uindy/Staff/jobs/102522/director-of-principal-leadership