Administrators

Overview of I-SEAL

I-SEAL will primarily focus on adding Exceptional Needs – Mild Intervention licensure to a teacher’s existing teacher (or charter) license. This will be the largest track to rapidly license as many new special education teachers as possible.

Every effort will be made to help the I-SEAL participant balance the needs and demands of being a practicing special education teacher with being a university student working on completing the 18-credit hour program. Where possible, the program will maximize opportunities that allow for required practicums to occur within the participant’s current teaching assignments. The university will ensure alignment with preparation standards as required by the State of Indiana. Should those standards or expectations shift, the university agrees to modify programming to comply with state licensing requirements and work with the participants to prepare them for the required Praxis test(s).

Who is Eligible

Currently licensed teachers of any grade level and teachers with a charter license who are seeking a special education license addition are eligible.

Teachers holding a bachelor's degree who are employed in a school as a special education teacher and are seeking a special education license through a Transition to Teach with Mild Intervention program may be eligible. Schools must support their application for the Alternative Special Education license once they are enrolled in their Educator Prep Program.

Substitute teachers, Paraprofessionals, and Instructional Assistants are not eligible for funding.

School Obligations

Each participant will be required to provide a letter of support from the school’s administrator affirming the school’s intent to assign the teacher as a special education teacher of record in the school district and understand that since this is for this P-12 licensure there will be required time to complete coursework in various grade levels. The district will support the application for the Alternative Special Education license once the teacher is enrolled in their educator prep program. A letter of support template for use is here.

Teacher Obligation

Teachers must provide a letter of intention to remain employed in an Indiana school as a special education teacher of record for at least two years past completion of the program and obtaining full licensure. A template for the letter of intent can be found here.

Program Cost

The I-SEAL project will cover the cost of the 18 credit hours payable directly to the university selected by the participant including the cost of book/materials needed for each class. If a Transition to Teach with Mild Intervention program is needed, we will cover those additional costs as well.

What Administrators Have to Say:

"I-SEAL has provided an amazing opportunity for our teachers looking to add certification in the area of special education. Our students are the direct beneficiaries of this. Special education positions are often hard to fill, and I-SEAL provides a path toward certification. Silver Creek School Corporation appreciates this opportunity for our teachers."

Dr. Chad Briggs, Superintendent, Silver Creek School Corporation

"In our small, rural district, we simply could not comply with the required licensure of special education teachers without the I-SEAL funding program. When the mandate occurred, at one point, it looked as though I might have to be the teacher of record for almost half of the special education students in the district since I do hold a current special education teaching license. However, this program has benefited our district in more ways than just compliance. Our students are enriched because they are receiving a quality education from an educator who has benefitted from the amazing I-SEAL program. The instructional strategies our teachers are being trained in are greatly assisting our students and their progress."

Brandon Johnson, Superintendent Crawford County Community Schools

"With the shortage of Special Education Teachers, I-SEAL provides the affordability for working educators considering adding this license. In addition, I-SEAL makes sure the necessary support is provided to the educators to successfully complete the license and pass the licensing test. Our students were positively impacted by having a teacher who increased their professional skill set while maintaining daily classroom instruction."

Karl Galey, Superintendent, and Andrea Spaeth, Director of Student Services, Lawrenceburg Community School Corporation