Early Childhood Teacher Certification in Indiana

Early Childhood Education in Indiana

Indiana, known as the “Hoosier State”, earns average rankings for its overall public education system. It is ranked 20^th in the nation, receiving an overall state grade of “C+” in Education Week’s 2013 annual rankings. However, it ranked number one in the nation in the Standards, Assessments, and Accountability category, earning an “A”.

Indiana is one of eleven states that does not fund preschool, leaving nearly half of the students entering kindergarten before 2014 with no previous early childhood education. However, the state has programs (as of 2011) such as the Foundations to the Indiana Academic Standards, the Indiana Birth to Age 5 Literacy Framework, and the ISTAR-KR Assessment. Overall, there are many opportunities for individuals interested in making a difference as an early childhood educator in the state of Indiana.

Requirements for Certification/Licensure for Indiana Teachers

The Indiana Department of Education includes extensive information about how to obtain certification/licensure. You will need to familiarize yourself with this site, as it contains many resources valuable to both aspiring teachers and current teachers.

The three main types of licenses available to Indiana educators are as follows:

• The Initial Practitioner License: a two-year license issued to novice teachers.
• Proficient Practitioner License: a five-year license issued to teachers who complete the Indiana Mentor and Assessment Program (IMAP).
• Accomplished Practitioner License: a ten-year license issued to experienced teachers who have completed a variety of professional requirements.

There is also a variety of permits and alternative teacher preparation routes available under special circumstances. Out-of-state applicants may receive licensure after their current qualifications have been examined by the licensure department. If there are any deficiencies, a Reciprocal Permit may be granted allowing applicants to teach while completing their training requirements. To apply, sign up for the Licensing Verification and Information System (LVIS) and walk through the step-by-step process. A variety of other items will also need to be submitted, including official transcripts, required assessments, designated fees and more.

Please see the Frequently Asked Questions page or contact the licensing office should you have any further questions about the certification/licensure process.

Searching for Teaching Jobs in Indiana

There are several different avenues you can take to pursue a career in this dynamic field.

Public schools employ the vast majority of individuals seeking careers in early childhood education. The Indiana School Personnel Job Bank helps potential teachers find open positions throughout Indiana. This free service allows users to create online resumes, search job postings by county, correspond with employers and more. The website School Spring also lists teaching job vacancies within the state.

Other employers to become familiar with are private schools, Head Start and Montessori schools. Also, research the child-care centers in your local area, as many of these centers are in constant need of highly qualified teachers and assistant teachers. GreatSchools.org can help you find top-rated preschools and elementary schools in your community, as well.

Indiana Educator Groups

There are many professional organizations for teachers in the state of Indiana that share similar visions.

The Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA) represents 45,000 public school teachers and educators across the state. It aims to improve both the profession and local public schools. It provides union benefits and is affiliated with the National Education Association (NEA), the nation’s largest professional employee organization, with three million members in over 14,000 communities across the country.

The Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children (IAEYC) increases public awareness of the importance of early childhood education and provides professional development for educators. The organization has 16 chapters and almost 2,000 members. It strives to help children from birth through age eight, as well as their families. The organization is an affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), an organization consisting of 80,000 members.

There are also a number of organizations for teachers focusing on specific areas of interest, including the Indiana State Reading Association (ISRA), Indiana Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM), and Indiana Council for the Social Studies (ICSS).

Interesting Indiana Education Bloggers

The IndyStar.com education section covers hot topics, issues and events in Indiana schools, as does the State Impact Indiana education page. Indiana teachers also share insights and information through their personal blogs.

A First Grade Teacher’s Passions and Obsessions is the creation of a first-grade teacher who enjoys telling about her classroom activities across all subject areas.

Kinder Doodles is written by a kindergarten teacher who shares her teaching ideas and resources, as well as favorite teacher blogs for other early childhood educators.

Second Grade is Out of this World is written by a second-grade teacher who covers all types of teaching and learning topics, including organizational ideas, descriptive writing activities, reading comprehension strategies, favorite books, holiday fun and much more.