Initiative is designed for active duty military personnel and veterans to continue to serve their communities through online degree completion and practical classroom teaching experience

INDIANAPOLIS — The Klipsch Educators College at Marian University today announced a new project to address the state’s dwindling teacher supply while also placing some of our country’s bravest and brightest leaders at the head of the classroom. 

Marian’s “Veteran Teaching Fellowship” combines the uniqueness of the Klipsch Educators College program with the dedication to service of our nation’s veterans. The vTeachINDY Fellowship is a program designed to support and develop active military personnel or veterans from the armed forces who desire to continue their service by teaching urban youth.

You may read more about the Klipsch Educators College here: marian.edu/educatorscollege 

“We need the best, most prepared leaders possible in our classrooms as we seek to make a difference in today’s complex education environment,” Dr. Kenith Britt, dean of the Klipsch Educators College, said.  “America’s active duty personnel and veterans represent the pinnacle of dedication, bravery, and sacrifice. The students in our schools, particularly in our urban schools, would benefit greatly from their instruction and life experiences.”

The vTeachINDY program is GI Bill benefits-eligible and places veterans in a classroom as a full-time co-teacher while completing a bachelor’s degree online from Marian University. Following the completion of the bachelor’s degree, the vTeachINDY fellow will be placed as a lead teacher in the same or similar school while completing the “Transition to Teaching” program to obtain full teacher licensure in Indiana. 

“The City of Indianapolis is grateful for the men and women in our community who selflessly chose to serve their country,” Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said.  “We hope that by encouraging our city’s veterans to continue their service as public school teachers, we can support schools in finding devoted educators and create a lasting partnership." 

“Indianapolis Public Schools is committed to ensuring a strong pipeline of talented staff for all schools and students,” IPS Superintendent Aleesia Johnson said. “The veterans teaching partnership with the City of Indianapolis and Marian University presents a great opportunity for servicemen and women to work with our students and find a rewarding career serving our community. Some of our students are coping with trauma on a daily basis. Veterans participating in this program are able to come alongside our students and provide support while also obtaining a teaching degree from one of the top education programs in the country.”

The United States Department of Defense estimates that 250,000 service men and women exit the armed forces each year.  Due to their education, background, and experience, these high-achieving leaders are prime candidates to be prepared for a new career as educators to both instruct and inspire our country’s most at-risk youth.  Combine the unique needs of these students with the fact that teacher turnover in urban schools is exceeding 25 percent annually, and recruiting our veterans to become teachers becomes even more critical.

About Marian University Indianapolis

Founded in 1937, Marian University is the only Catholic university in Indianapolis and central Indiana. In 2019, Marian is serving more than 2,400 undergraduate and 1,160 graduate students earning degrees in the arts, business, education, engineering, math, medicine, nursing, ministry, and the natural and physical sciences. The university’s high-impact, experiential curriculum is designed to provide hands-on, collaborative learning opportunities for students from 45 states and 23 nations. Marian climbed in U.S. News & World Report’s 2020 Midwestern rankings to be named #6 Most Innovative Regional University, #15 Best Value University, and #30 Best Regional University. Marian University opened its College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2013, making it the first new school of medicine in the state of Indiana in 110 years. Marian’s national champion varsity athletic programs include the 2012 and 2015 NAIA Football National Championship, the 2016 and 2017 NAIA Women’s Basketball Championship, and more than 40 USA Cycling national championships.