Diversity Key to Ivy Tech, Marian Partnership
The president of Ivy Tech Community College says a recently-announced partnership with Marian University in Indianapolis to help address the state’s teacher shortage is “the right thing to do.” The schools last week detailed plans to provide a pathway for students to earn three degrees on their way to become teachers in Indiana classrooms. Sue Ellspermann says the goal is to bring students “teachers who look like themselves and are prepared to help them succeed.”
Ellspermann and Marian President Dan Elsener discussed the partnership on Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick. Elsener said having diversity among teachers affects achievement.
“It also makes a place more comfortable where you can identify with a leader in the front of the classroom,” said Elsener. “We want to prepare folks from every background. We need their talent. This state cannot move forward leaving individuals or groups behind.”
Elsener says the ripple effect that a more diverse group of teachers will extend to every industry.
“We can leave no talent to waste and our schools are the engine,” he says. “Every engineer, every future doctor, every future principal, every future teacher, nurse, etc. goes through our classrooms K-12 and we need excellent teachers there.”
As part of the program, high school students will begin earning an associate degree at Ivy Tech before transitioning to the Fred S. Klipsch Educators College at Marian to earn a bachelor’s degree with a teacher certification. Students will then complete the program by pursuing a master’s degree at no cost, and will also take part in a one-year, paid residency in an Indiana classroom.
The schools say the entire program will cost students a total of $45,000. Ellspermann says the program is expected to begin this fall at six Ivy Tech locations throughout the state.