ASPIRING TEACHERS
Looking for a bridge into teaching?
IPS offers pathways into a teaching career and we’ll support you along the way. Join Team IPS and let’s Prove What’s Possible for our kids and communities.
Spotlight Schools
Teaching in a Proving What’s Possible Spotlight School is a fulfilling personal and career experience. Spotlight Schools each have unique personas and unique offerings, but what they have in common is rigorous focus on racial equity, innovative programming, intensified supports, strategic partnerships, and top-notch instruction.
The IndyTeach Apprenticeship
The IndyTeach Apprenticeship is a no-cost, paid, fully-embedded educator training program offering a path to teaching for aspiring teachers.
Current IPS non-teaching staff, college graduates, or those who wish to pursue a new career in education after starting in other careers are all good candidates for this teacher certification program.
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For this apprenticeship, the IPS Talent Office is partnering for the first time with Christel House Indianapolis, a local network of charter schools, to help participants through the one-year program and obtain an Indiana State Teaching License without the need to return to a university. The program runs during the school year (July-June).
IndyTeach removes long-standing barriers to the classroom and provides participants instructional training with a particular focus on teaching in urban and diverse environments. Apprentices are partnered in a mentor classroom, slowly taking on more and more responsibility with the support of a one-on-one mentor. During this time, they earn a salary and receive financial assistance in preparing for and taking their required licensure exam.
“I am so thankful I found IndyTeach. It has been an awesome way to get my teaching license and not have to take classes at a university. Being in the classroom with students everyday has been the most rewarding benefit of the program. You get to come to school each day and see their smiling faces. IndyTeach is a wonderful opportunity to gain great teachers in Indiana. I am so blessed to have been a part of this program and look forward to positively impacting more students' lives in the future.”
— Chantel, 2022-23 IndyTeach Apprentice
Frequently Asked Questions
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Like other transition to teaching programs, IndyTeach is subject to the Indiana state licensing requirements below:
Bachelor’s degree in any field
3.0 GPA or 2.5 GPA + 5 years of relevant work experience
In addition, IndyTeach is looking for smart, mission-driven individuals with deep content knowledge and passion for education who have the desire to share that with others.
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The application window for the following school year typically opens in October. We will host virtual Information Sessions periodically throughout the year to share additional program details and future program timelines. As the Information Sessions are scheduled, an IndyTeach representative will follow up with those who have submitted an Interest Form to share an invite.
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In order to provide the highest quality professional development, each apprentice is paired with a highly qualified Mentor Teacher. Therefore, the number of apprentices is contingent on the number of available mentors in a particular licensing area. The program is intentionally small and accepts 10-15 residents per school year.
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IndyTeach is a mentorship and competency-based program that allows you to gradually take on classroom responsibilities over the course of an academic year. Instead of starting out as the teacher of record on day one, you are paired with a mentor teacher with whom you will work alongside for the year. The first few months of the program are spent observing and shadowing your mentor and pulling small groups. As the year progresses you will begin co-teaching, and eventually lead teaching in the classroom.
Since the program is competency-based, you take on each next step once you feel successful moving forward. We anticipate that apprentices will begin co-teaching around Thanksgiving, and full takeover of the classroom around spring break, but the actual timeline varies based on each individual.
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No. IndyTeach uses an innovative competency-based model while tracking your growth through a comprehensive micro-credentialing system and program portfolio.
Micro-credentials and portfolios are submitted to the IDOE as evidence that apprentices have mastered the necessary requirements to be an effective teacher.
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Due to the unique structure of the program, IndyTeach is 100% free to apprentices. The program was designed to remove the financial barriers associated with entering the teaching profession, and therefore covers the cost of content and pedagogy exams, while providing a salary and benefits to apprentices during their year of training.
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Yes! During your year in the apprenticeship program, you are considered a full-time employee of Indianapolis Public Schools and therefore receive pay and full staff benefits.
Once you complete the program and attain your license, you are eligible for a sizable pay increase by transitioning into a teaching role.
Indianapolis STEM Teacher Residency Program (ISTR)
ISTR is a partnership between Indianapolis Public Schools and Purdue University that aims to strengthen the educational outcomes of students in one of the largest urban school districts in Indiana by preparing culturally competent, highly qualified teachers who will elevate student achievement in middle and high school science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Please note: The window to continue recruiting for future ISTR semesters has ended. We will provide updates as needed.
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ISTR is a partnership between Indianapolis Public Schools and Purdue University that aims to strengthen the educational outcomes of students in one of the largest urban school districts in Indiana by preparing culturally competent, highly qualified teachers who will elevate student achievement in middle and high school science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The ISTR program seeks individuals without extensive teaching experience who possess a strong academic and/or professional background in a STEM field and are interested in pursuing a career in secondary (Grades 5-12) science or mathematics teaching.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The ISTR program is 18 months, with 100% online eight week courses. ISTR Resident Teachers take coursework in spring and summer semesters prior to beginning their residency in an IPS classroom in fall semester. The residency lasts an entire academic year where residents partner with veteran IPS teachers during the residency.
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Participants earn an Interdisciplinary Master of Science in Secondary STEM Education with Initial Licensure while also earning credits for the K-12 Integrated STEM Education Graduate Certificate from Purdue University.
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Participants selected for the ISTR program are provided a stipend ($46,500 in three payments of $15,500 over 18 months) in the form of a forgivable loan. In return for the stipend, participants must commit to a three-year teaching position with IPS.
Total Cost Per Credit
In-State: $425 · Out-of-State: $450
Credit Hours: 39Fees: $300
Stipend
In-State: $46,500
Out-of-State: $46,500Less Program Costs
In-State: ($16,875)
Out-of-State: ($17,850)
Remainder Stipend for Living Expenses
In-State: $29,625
Out-of-State: $28,650*Tuition and fees are charged on a per credit hour basis and are subject to annual increase.
*Praxis content and pedagogy exam fees, course materials, textbooks and Graduate Certificate application fee are not included.
*Applicants must agree to teach 3 years in the Indianapolis Public School system.
*EdTPA fee estimated at $300 not included
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Students can apply to the program throughout the year, but classes start in the spring term (January) and summer term (May).
In order to be admitted into the Indianapolis STEM Teacher Residency program, you must meet one of the following entrance qualifications:
· A bachelor’s degree or the equivalent with a grade point average of at least three (3.0) on a four (4.0) point scale from an accredited post-secondary educational institution in the subject area that the individual intends to teach. (Coursework may not be taken or repeated after earning the degree in order to raise the overall GPA.)
· A graduate degree from an accredited post-secondary educational institution in the subject area or a related field that the individual intends to teach.
· Both a bachelor’s degree from an accredited post-secondary educational institution with a grade point average of at least two and five-tenths (2.5) on a four (4.0) point scale, and five (5) years professional experience in the subject or a related area that the individual intends to teach.
· Both a bachelor’s degree from an accredited post-secondary educational institution and proof that the individual has passed the state approved content area examination in the subject area that the individual intends to teach.
Students who are accepted into the program must take the Pearson content test prior to their residency.
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An initial instructional license is awarded at the same time the MS degree is awarded. The title of the program is the MS in Secondary STEM Education with initial licensure. A transcript evaluation is needed at the time of application to provide you with a plan of study for licensure.
“Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher.”