IU pathway programs address state teacher shortage.

Indiana University offers several pathways for high school students, high school graduates and college graduates to become licensed teachers. Photo by Eric Rudd, Indiana University

Addressing Teacher Shortages in Public Schools

Almost 75% of public schools nationwide have difficulty filling vacant teaching positions, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics. In November, the Indiana Department of Education reported nearly 1,370 teacher vacancies.

Indiana University, which confers nearly one-quarter of all education degrees awarded in the state, is closing that gap through innovative education career pathways that help high schoolers and aspiring educators become licensed teachers.

High School Pathways to Teaching

Howard County’s Western School Corp. was having difficulty hiring teachers in 2018, a problem exacerbated by a reduction of high school graduates pursuing education degrees. The superintendent shared an idea with Leah Nellis, who was the dean of the IU School of Education in Kokomo at the time, for high school students to take dual-credit college education classes. Nellis built on the concept, incorporating hands-on classroom experience and access to IU student support services, and launching Tomorrow’s Teachers with four partner school corporations.

Marlie Chaffee was one of the program’s first participants, taking dual-credit classes in 12th grade. She chose IU Kokomo for college, graduating in 2022, and is now an elementary school teacher in Indiana.

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