Ivy Tech, Vigo County Schools Partner Up

Ivy Tech says it offers over 1

Ivy Tech Community College and the Vigo County School Corp. have formed a partnership to develop more teachers. The Achieve Your Degree program will primarily focus on turning VCSC’s education assistants into teachers to help address a teacher shortage in the area.

VCSC employees will be able to start classes during Ivy Tech’s spring semester and will be encouraged to take classes that will help them earn an Associate Degree in education or an Associate of Applied Science degree in an area of their choice.

Once participants have earned an Associate Degree in Secondary, Elementary or Special Education, they can transfer their credits to either Indiana State University or St. Mary of the Woods College to complete their bachelor’s degree. Those who have earned an Associate or Associate of Applied Science degree can also be credentialed to teach as a substitute teacher in the VCSC.

"We are excited to partner with Ivy Tech Community College and provide our education assistants the opportunity to further their education," said Danny Tanoos, superintendent of the Vigo County School Corporation. "Participation in Achieve Your Degree will help the school corporation have access to additional teachers in secondary, elementary, and special education to address the shortage of teachers in these areas."

The Achieve Your Degree program will limit out-of-pocket costs for participants by covering the cost of tuition, fees and books through federal financial aid and Ivy Tech scholarship funds. Ivy Tech says it will seek other forms of funding for future semesters to help keep the cost minimal for VCSC employees.

Ivy Tech has similar programs in place with both Deaconness Hospital and Old National Bancorp (Nasdaq: ONB), which Ivy Tech Chancellor Jonathan Weinzapfel says has proven very popular.