SUPPORTING EDUCATORS IN ESTABLISHING AN INDIANA EDUCATOR LICENSE OR ADDING STEM TO THEIR EXISTING LICENSE FOR NO COST
The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) is partnering with the Educational Service Centers (ESCs) of Indiana to provide support for both currently licensed teachers in non-STEM areas, and prospective teachers who are not licensed and hold a bachelor’s degree, to become licensed to teach a STEM subject. The IDOE has identified eligible STEM content areas as elementary STEM, life science, chemistry, earth/space science, physics, physical science, computer science, technology education, and mathematics.
In Collaboration With
What to Expect
Tier I: Establishing an Indiana Teaching License
Tier I is designed to support individuals who have an earned Bachelor’s Degree. Participants will complete a transition to teaching program focused on a STEM content area. Eligible STEM content areas are life science, chemistry, earth/space science, physics, physical science, computer science, technology education, and mathematics.
Individuals selected to participate in tier I can expect:
- Enrollment fee and Costs to cover the transition to teaching program.
- ETS Praxis Exam Vouchers and all associated fees for taking the Praxis secondary pedagogy licensure exam and a STEM content area exam, and test preparation support as needed (up to $500). Eligible STEM content areas are life science, chemistry, earth/space science, physics, physical science, technology education, computer science and mathematics.
- $1,000 enrollment stipend to each participant to help support childcare, licensure fees, books, and other related expenses the participants may incur.
- $1,000 commitment stipend for each participant hired in an Indiana school district in a STEM related position by 9/30/24 or when the I-STEM program funds are exhausted.
- Additional $1,000 commitment stipend to each participant hired in a designated rural Indiana school district in a STEM related position by 9/30/24 or when the I-STEM program funds are exhausted.
- Ongoing mentoring and support for each participant as they work to successfully complete a STEM focused transition to teaching program and obtain licensure in an eligible STEM content area.
Tier II: Adding a STEM Licensure Area
Tier II is designed to support educators in adding a STEM addition to their existing valid Indiana educator license. Eligible STEM content area additions are life science, chemistry, earth/space science, elementary STEM, physics, physical science, technology education, computer science, and mathematics. The elementary math specialist addition can be added for individuals who hold an Early Childhood Education, Elementary Generalist, Middle School Mathematics, or Secondary Mathematics existing license and have at least three years of experience that includes the teaching of math (requires passing the Praxis elementary math specialist test).
Individuals selected to participate in tier II can expect:
- ETS Praxis Exam Vouchers for each participant to cover fees associated with adding a STEM endorsement and test preparation support as needed (up to $500).
- $1,000 high need commitment stipend for each participant who adds a STEM endorsement to their existing valid educator license and is hired or retained in an Indiana school district in a STEM teaching position by 9/30/24 or when the I-STEM program funds are exhausted.
- Ongoing mentoring and support for each participant.
Virtual Learn More Sessions
Tier I - Info meeting
Join Dr. Christy Hilton, ESC of I, and Diann Huber, iteachIndiana, to learn more about the iteachIndiana transition to teaching program for STEM.
Tier II - info meeting
Join Dr. Christy Hilton, ESC of I, and Risa Regnier, IDOE, to learn more about adding a STEM area to your current Indiana educator license.
Who Should Register
The I-STEM Program is for individuals who have an earned Bachelor’s Degree and want to complete a transition to a teaching program focused on STEM Content as well as for educators wanting to add a STEM addition to their existing valid Indiana educator license.