CHIME prepares first cohort of special education scholars for graduation, recruits second cohort
Introduction
The University of Illinois Chicago College of Education's CHIME program is preparing to celebrate a major milestone: the graduation of its first cohort of scholars in December 2026. At the same time, the federally funded program is recruiting a second and final cohort of educators who will begin coursework in Spring 2027.
CHIME, which stands for Collaborative Teaching for Young and Diverse Children with High-Intensity Needs and Multiple Disabilities in Blended Environments, was created to address the growing need for special education teachers and to help general education teachers better support children with diverse learning needs in inclusive classrooms. The program recruits licensed general educators and prepares them to earn a Master of Education in Special Education, an Illinois Learning Behavior Specialist I (LBS1) endorsement and Early Childhood Special Education approval.
"The need is twofold," said Sunyoung (Sunny) Kim, principal investigator for CHIME and associate professor of special education. "General education teachers are serving more students with disabilities and diverse learning needs than ever before, and they need skills and knowledge to effectively support all students. At the same time, schools continue to face a significant shortage of special education teachers."
The program's inaugural cohort of 10 educators began in Spring 2025 and will complete the five-semester program in December 2026. According to Kim, Some scholars have already transitioned from general education positions into special education roles while completing their studies, and some have begun teaching in early childhood inclusive settings.
Supported through a U.S. Department of Education grant, CHIME covers tuition and fees and provides a book stipend for participating scholars. The program focuses on preparing educators to work with young children with disabilities, particularly those ages 3 to 5, while also equipping graduates with credentials that allow them to teach students with disabilities from pre-kindergarten through age 22.
The initiative aligns with the college's commitment to educational justice, accessibility and equity. CHIME emphasizes culturally responsive practices and collaborative teaching while addressing the critical shortage of early childhood special education professionals.
Recruitment is now underway for the program's second and final cohort. Applications are due October 1, 2026 and interested educators are encouraged to attend an upcoming information session or contact Kim directly for more information, at sunnykim@uic.edu.
For Kim, the success of the first cohort highlights the program's impact.
"We're seeing educators expand their expertise, pursue new career opportunities and strengthen their ability to support children and families," she said. "That's exactly what CHIME was designed to do."
For more information about CHIME and upcoming information sessions, visit chime.uic.edu