Our University of Indianapolis masters in educational leadership program, iLEAD, is transforming to include increased opportunities for authentic experiences in school reform.  Students in Cohort XIV began their program of study this fall mentored by current school leaders who advise and de-brief with them on a regular basis.  Each semester, the students complete shadowing experiences and reflective interviews with their mentors.  Field experiences for the principal leadership program are aligned with the coursework.  In EDUC 600, our introductory leadership class, students complete school improvement projects  as well as projects in which they are already involved as teacher leaders in their schools.  EDUC 605 students analyze data to identify learning problems and design research-based interventions.  As the students develop their skills, increasingly their mentors observe them, offering feedback as students lead professional development, work with the school community, and engage in other leadership activities.   During the final two semesters of the program, students serve as interns in their schools and experience the day-to-day responsibilities of building-level leaders.

Our hybrid courses are changing also.  In our professional development class (EDUC 610), students practice leading the professional development process and review case studies in initiating, managing, and sustaining change.  Students create communication and marketing plans for their schools (EDUC 615).  Multiple experiences observing and evaluating teachers are a focus in EDUC 620. 

Simulations, including The Change Game being played by Cohort XI students in the pictures below, provide another source of case study experiences in leading school change.  Additional information about our curriculum is available on the iLEAD website:  http://www.http://education.uindy.edu/ilead/   Our Cohort XV will begin Saturday, May 18th.  Application materials may be accessed online:  http://education.uindy.edu/ilead/Applying_to_iLEAD.php.  Graduate education faculty and our iLEAD administrative assistant are available to talk with you if you call (317) 788-6098.  Learn more about how iLEAD can help you achieve your professional goals in a graduate education program at a university with personal attention, the University of Indianapolis. 

                                                         

The "flipped classroom" model shifts the current classroom paradigm so that lectures can be seen at home while homework activities are done in class. This is to allow more time for applying the knowledge and receiving more personal help from the instructor. Modern technology has sparked this new trend in education in which the flipped model transforms classrooms into laboratories or studios where class time is used for answering student questions/helping with homework plus other activities which help students apply what they’ve learned.

In EDUC 597 - Flippling the Classroom at the University of Indianapolis, teachers will develop the skills to flip their own classrooms while experiencing the flipped classroom model themselves. Focus areas will include a conceptual framework for the flipped classroom and strategies for ensuring that students engage in active learning within this model of teaching.Time will be blocked out for teachers to find content from a wide variety of sources across the disciplines, as well as teachers creating their own content.The flipped classroom isn’t just about bringing new technologies into classrooms; it’s about using that technology to transform the way students learn.

EDUC 597 is available for 3 credits, beginning Tuesday evening May 6, 2012  The course will continue on Tuesday and Thursdays, 5:00-8:00 PM, until May 26, 2012. Registration information is available here:  http://education.uindy.edu/ci/

 

Download the second edition of our University of Indianapolis iLEAD (Educational Leadership) newsletter by clicking on this link:  http://education.uindy.edu/ilead/newsletters/2012/Winter2012.pdf

Additional newsletters for our principal leadership program will be published in the coming year.  We're including news/updates about educational issues, our masters degrees in education, our graduates, and our students.  Our iLEAD graduate education program is a 5-semester hybrid curriculum preparing principals and instructional leaders.  iLEAD classes meet on select Saturdays in an executive style format for 18 months.  We welcomed our 12th cohort this fall and are accepting applications for our 13th cohort.  They will begin their program of study in May 2012.  Additional information is on our website:  http://education.uindy.edu/ilead/

 

Dr. John Somers, University of Indianapolis Graduate Programs Director, and Shane Hacker, Brownsburg High School Assistant Principal, participated in a panel discussion on WFYI 90.1 FM's radio program, No Limits, on January 19, 2012.  The topic was "Recruiting and Training School Principals in Indiana."  Other panel members included Pat O'Donnell, Indiana Teach for America Executive Director, and Emily Massengale, Director, Dropout Recovery School at Cristel House Academy.  Moderating the discussion was John Krull, Director, Pulliam School of Journalism, Franklin College.  No Limits is a weekly news and public affairs radio program which focuses on current topics of interest to central Indiana listeners.  Listeners called in comments and also participated using Facebook or Twitter.   To access a podcast of the panel, click on his link: 

http://www.wfyi.org/podcast/NOLI/NOLI_12-01-19.mp3      

The 13^th University of Indianapolis iLEAD educational leadeership cohort will begin their program of study on May 12, 2012.  Potential candidates can learn about our program by accessing our website: http://education.uindy.edu/ilead/           

The website includes information about curriculum, the application process, calendars, faculty, scholarships, and many other “needs-to-know.”  Applications are due April 20, 2012.   iLEAD faculty and staff are also available to meet with you.  Please contact Krystel Stewart, stewartkm@uindy.edu or 317-788-6098, with questions or to arrange appointments.

 

 

 

 

The University of Indianapolis iLEAD principal preparation program is accepting applications for Cohort XIII to begin in May 2012. A second group, Cohort XIV, will begin in September 2012.  A video describing our program is available here:  http://youtu.be/XMkrfOcneoA
Scholarship aid is available for these students.

The University of Indianapolis educational leadership scholarship program, with funding from CELL (Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning) prepares principals who are committed to leading high-need schools. Beginning in 2010, yearly cohorts of students have been selected from an applicant pool to become iLEAD/CELL scholars.  They receive awards ranging from $1,500-$3,000, which are applied toward program costs.  Each iLEAD/CELL scholar selected must commit to pursuing a school leadership role in a high-need school and continue to remain active in the iLEAD program as a mentor, evaluator, or presenter.  Beginning with Cohort XIII, iLEAD/CELL scholars will also create 3 white papers pertaining to education topics during their program of study.

To apply for the scholarship, please complete the online iLEAD application and the iLEAD/CELL scholarship application at http://education.uindy.edu/ilead.

To apply for the iLEAD program without consideration of the scholarship, simply complete the online iLEAD application only. Diverse candidates, including minorities and women, are encouraged to apply.

For more information: visit us at http://education.uindy.edu/ilead.  The application deadline for Cohort XIII is April 20, 2012.

Please contact Krystel Stewart, stewartkm@uindy.edu, Lynn Wheeler, wheelerl@uindy.edu, or John Somers, jsomers@uindy.edu, if you need further information.

 

University of Indianapolis iLEAD (educational leadership) faculty are continuing to develop modules to enhance our students’ collaboration with school leaders to keep our curriculum current and relevant for our students as we prepare them to lead 21^st century schools. These units and other course updates are an ongoing project supported by our graduate faculty, several adjunct faculty, a superintendent and principal-in-residence, the Friends of iLEAD cadre, and our students’ mentors.  Our principal preparation program is growing and changing.

During Semester I – 2011, EDUC 605 (The Role of Data and Collaborative Inquiry in School Improvement) students in Cohort XI spent an entire Saturday class at Indianapolis Public Schools’ Harshman Middle School, meeting with the principal, Robert Guffin, faculty, and other stakeholders. In preparation for the activities, they read George Theoharis’ Disrupting Injustice: Principals Narrate the Strategies They Use to Improve Their Schools and Advance Social Justice, reviewed Harshman MS data on the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) Compass website, the Indiana Growth Model, Harshman’s School Quality Review Report and Spring 2011 ISTEP+ scores. Students prepared questions to ask teachers, parents, students, and stakeholders about the school improvement process.   They conducted interviews and participated in a discussion seminar led by the principal. Goals of this activity included:

•          To understand a social justice theory of leadership
•          To realize the pragmatics and challenges of a change process
•          To become familiar with the IDOE Quality Review Audit and process
•          To apply the HPHP Readiness Model
•          To reflect on the moral obligations of leadership

The students in EDUC 605 were amazed at the work that Harshman faculty are doing for their students and community. Many of the students felt “re-energized” as a result of hearing Harshman teachers and leaders describe their mission of going above and beyond expectations.

 
The University of Indianapolis, or UIndy, is a comprehensive, independent, student-friendly institution located just minutes from a thriving city center.  Our faculty and staff are committed to helping you become more effective in your daily work with students, to maximize your potential, and to prepare you for leadership.  UIndy is distinguished by highly respected undergraduate programs in teacher education, communications, and the health sciences, nationally ranked graduate programs, and Centers of Excellence focusing on aging studies and education reform.  Personal attention, small, interactive classes, and flexible programming are the rule rather than the exception. 

Follow this link to the University of Indianapolis educational leadership (iLEAD) program newsletter:  http://education.uindy.edu/ilead/newsletters/2011/Fall2011.pdf

Additional newsletters for our principal leadership program will be published four times in the coming year.  We'll include news/updates about our masters degree in education, our graduates, and our students.  Our iLEAD graduate education program is a 5-semester hybrid curriculum preparing principals and instructional leaders.  iLEAD classes meet on select Saturdays in an executive style format for 18 months.  We welcomed our 12th cohort this fall and will be accepting applications for our May cohort, our 13th, beginning in January 2012.

Our website includes information for prospective students and can be accessed here:
http://education.uindy.edu/ilead/index.php.  More information will be posted soon pertaining to graduate degree scholarships.

The University of Indianapolis, or UIndy, is a comprehensive, independent, student-friendly institution located just minutes from a thriving city center.  Our faculty and staff are committed to helping you become more effective in your daily work with students, to maximize your potential, and to prepare you for leadership.  UIndy is distinguished by highly respected undergraduate programs in teacher education, communications, and the health sciences, nationally ranked graduate programs, and Centers of Excellence focusing on aging studies and education reform.  Personal attention, small, interactive classes, and flexible programming are the rule rather than the exception.  In December, we'll highlight our iLEAD students' presentations of their fall semester signature projects to external reviewers from Indiana schools. 

School leaders in today's global economy must be agents of change and committed to instructional excellence, cultural diversity, and collaboration.  The iLEAD Principal Preparation Program at the University of Indianapolis engages candidates in a variety of experiences that prepare them to confront the complex realities of educating students in a rapidly changing world.  Fall 2009 course work began on September 12, 2009 for the three cohort groups in our graduate education leadership program.  Cohort VI will complete the masters degree in education in May, 2010 and will be eligible to pursue an Indiana Building Administrator License.  Cohorts VII and VIII will finish in December 2010 and May 2011.

Our hybrid program currently includes students from throughout Indiana.  Clicking on the attached link will lead to a locator map of the districts represented in the iLEAD masters degree in education/principal leadership program: uindyilead.org  The executive or hybrid program helps you achieve your professional goals in a project-based leadership curriculum with field experiences to research and solve problems.  You interact with clinical faculty, current practitioners, and proven school leaders who possess a wealth of inside knowledge and expertise.  You complete online assignments in collaboration with your cohort group.

Information will be posted throughout this semester about our iLEAD activities and how to apply to join Cohort IX who will begin their classes in June, 2010.  If you have questions or need more details, visit our website at education.uindy.edu/iLEAD and learn more about our dynamic program.  In the next blog, we'll talk more about the iLEAD program and the new mentor cadre roundtable.

The University of Indianapolis, or UIndy, is a comprehensive, independent, student-friendly institution located just minutes from a thriving city center.  Our faculty and staff are committed to helping you become more effective in your daily work with students, to maximize your potential, and to prepare you for leadership.  UIndy is distinguished by highly respected undergraduate programs in teacher education, communications, and the health sciences, nationally ranked graduate programs, and Centers of Excellence focusing on aging studies and education reform.  Personal attention, small, interactive classes, and flexible programming are the rule rather than the exception.

At the University of Indianapolis, a graduate degree in iLEAD (our principal leadership program) or our teacher education programs will help you build your knowledge, advance in your field, or embark on a new career.  Following admission to education graduate programs, students want information about cost and financial aid.  Cost per credit hour for iLEAD classes is $360.  Financial assistance is available for School of Education masters degree and certification programs.  A good place to start is the University of Indianapolis Financial Aid Office at 1-800-232-8634 or http://financialaid.uindy.edu/grad_front_page.php.

Filing a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and completing the UAPP (University Financial Aid Application) are the first steps for obtaining financial aid.  The main sources of assistance are the Federal Stafford Loan and Federal Graduate PLUS Loan.  Other resources are described through the University of Indianapolis Office of Financial Aid links, including financialaid.uindy.edu/additional_links.php.  Personal attention is a priority for University of Indianapolis staff, as we work to explore multiple financing options for our graduate education students.  These may include private alternative loans, United Methodist loans, and other possibilities described on our web site at financialaid.uindy.edu/alternative_financing_grad.php.

If you are beginning an iLEAD principal     
leadership program in May or September,
2009, you may want to access financial aid forms for graduate students on our website at
financialaid.uindy.edu/finaid_forms_grad.php.
We want to help our students plan for the smoothest transition possible in preparation for becoming educational  leaders.  We welcome the opportunity to help you.  If you have questions or need more details, please visit our website at education.uindy.edu/iLEAD, or contact Chemain Arens, School of Education Graduate Programs, at (317) 788-6098.

The University of Indianapolis, or UIndy, is a comprehensive, independent, student-friendly institution, located just minutes from a thriving city center.  Our faculty and staff are committed to helping you become more effective in your daily work with students, to maximize your potential, and to prepare you for leadership.  UIndy is distinguished by highly respected undergraduate programs in teacher education, communications, and the health sciences, nationally ranked graduate programs, and Centers of Excellence focusing on aging studies and education reform.  Personal attention, small interactive classes, and flexible programming are the rule rather than the exception.  In the next blog, we'll talk more about the iLEAD student capstone projects.

Dr. Tony Bennett, Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction, visited the University of Indianapolis EDUC 605 (Using Data to Build High Performing Learning Cultures) class in the iLEAD principal leadership program on Saturday, March 21st.  Dr. Bennett's presentation was an excellent opportunity for students in our graduate education program to hear his reflections on his first months in office and ask questions to enhance their ability to develop sustainable plans for increasing student achievement.  Cohort VI includes 23 students who began their masters degree in education/licensure course work in September, 2008 in an executive-style program with personal attention and small class sizes.

During his conversation with Cohort VI, Dr. Bennett reviewed his goals for student achievement and his focus on student needs.  He expressed strong support for the value of mentors in graduate education programs, citing the impact experienced administrators had on his skill developmdent.  Dr. Bennett emphasized his continuing efforts to create "multiple pathways to do the job," a concept which resonates with UIndy's varied options for a rewarding masters degree in education and certification opportunities.   

Cohort VI students were enthusiastic about the chance to interact with Indiana's educational leader.  Following the presentation, Dr. Bennett toured the School of Education department and visited with seniors participating in the Kappa Delta Pi Candidate Practice Interview Day for our teacher education program.  He also greeted State Board members for the Indiana Council for Exceptional Children who were meeting at the University of Indianapolis on March 21st.   All of these activities reflect the UIndy focus in our teacher education and our principal preparation programs on providing interactive experiences for personal growth to help you become more effective in your daily work with students, to maximize your potential, and 
increase your leadership skills.  

If you have questions or need more details, please visit our web site at http://education.uindy.edu/iLEAD, or contact Chemain Arens, School of Education Graduate Programs, at (317) 788-6098.

Are you passionate about improving student achievement?  Do you have the vision and drive it takes to create a school environment that values and supports learning for all students?  Take your teaching career to the next level and become an educational leader!  Bottom line?  When you have completed the iLEAD principal leadership program, you will have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to serve as a change agent in your school and your community.  Learn more about this graduate education program at http://education.uindy.edu/iLEAD.

We are now recruiting for 2009 summer and fall cohorts.  To apply for the iLEAD masters degree in education/principal leadership program, submit a dossier, which should include the items listed below to Chemain Arens in the School of Education at the University of Indianapolis, 1400 East Hanna Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46227.  Contact Chemain at carens@uindy.edu or (317) 788-6098.  Interviews will be conducted with a select number of prospective candidates after an initial review of their dossier is complete.  Online application documents may be found at http://education.uindy.edu/ilead/forms.php.  Here’s what you’ll need:

1.       Completed application with writing sample

2.       Official post-secondary transcripts

3.       Vita or resume

4.       At least three (3) letters of recommendation

5.       Agreement from your school corporation for release time to complete required field experiences

6.       Interview with the University of Indianapolis iLEAD coordinators

 

Our newest graduate education leadership community, Cohort VII, will begin their program Saturday, May 16, 2009.  Cohort VIII will start Saturday, September 12, 2009.  The iLEAD principal leadership courses are offered so that candidates can complete their program of study in 18 months in an executive-style format.  Cohort VII will finish in December, 2010 and Cohort VIII in May, 2011.  Learn more about how iLEAD can help you achieve your professional goals in a graduate education program at a college with personal attention, the University of Indianapolis.

Take your teaching career to the next level and become an educational leader!   Complete the innovative 18-month iLEAD principal leadership program at the University of Indianapolis.  This Master of Arts in Educational Leadership (Masters degree in education) is designed for elementary, middle, and high school teachers who seek careers as building-level principals, department heads, and other academic leaders.  Unlike traditional graduate education programs and teacher education programs, iLEAD classes meet on select Saturdays in an executive style format for 18 months.

The executive or hybrid program will help you achieve your professional goals in a project-based principal leadership program with field experiences to research and solve problems.  You will interact with clinical faculty in the graduate education program, current practitioners, and proven school leaders who possess a wealth of inside knowledge and expertise.  You will complete dynamic on line assignments in collaboration with your cohort group.

You will receive your Masters degree in education and prepare for licensure.  If you already hold a masters degree (MA in education), you will complete 24 credit hours of coursework and be prepared to take the Indiana Building Administrator License exam.  If you have questions or need more details, please visit our web site at education.uindy.edu/iLEAD, or contact Chemain Arens, School of Education Graduate Programs, at (317) 788-6098.

 

 

 

Our first class of the Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship at the University of Indianapolis will begin in the summer or 2009 with school-based experiences from day one.  UIndy Fellows will be immersed in classrooms, and these clinical experiences will be closely linked with the project-based curriculum in their graduate education program.   

The Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellowship at the University of Indianapolis leads to a Master of Arts in Teaching degree which will prepare you to become a mathematics, life science, or chemistry teacher at the middle and high school levels.  UIndy is one of four Indiana universities participating in the launch of this graduate education program through the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation.  The Fellowship is open to college seniors, graduates, and career changers who:

• Have completed or are completing a math or science major as undergraduates, or who have significant work experience in math- and science-related fields
• Graduate in the top 10 percent of their class, and/or demonstrate strong potential through professional accomplishments
• Are interested in teaching in a high-need school in Indiana
• Are willing to reside in Indiana while completing their masters degree in education and three–year teaching commitment.

The fellowship in our graduate education program does not require previous coursework in education nor prior teaching experience.  UIndy Woodrow Wilson Fellows will become teacher-leaders for 21^st century urban schools and will be prepared to lead their own classroom, with mentoring, during the second semester of the program.  Applicants must apply to the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation by December 15^th of each year to begin graduate studies in the following summer.  For more information, visit the Fellowship’s website at www.woodrow.org, our web site at education.uindy.edu/teachingfellowship/index.php, or contact Dr. Jen Drake at jdrake@uindy.edu.

The University of Indianapolis, or UIndy is a comprehensive, independent, student-friendly institution located just minutes from a thriving city center.  Our faculty and staff are committed to helping you become more effective in your daily work with students, to maximize your potential, and to prepare you for leadership.  UIndy is distinguished by highly respected undergraduate programs in teacher education, communications, and the health sciences, nationally ranked graduate programs, and Centers of Excellence focusing on aging studies and education reform.   Personal attention, small, interactive classes, and flexible programming are the rule rather than the exception. 

 

 

According to the National Education Association, an historic change is taking place in America.  While K-12 student enrollments are growing, the pool of qualified teachers is shrinking as nearly one million of them approach retirement.  Other experts report as many as two million new teachers are needed over the next decade to keep pace with this changing educational landscape. 

Maybe you thought about a teacher education program as an undergraduate, but decided to pursue another career path.  Now you've discovered your true calling is teaching and helping young people achieve academic success.  If so, the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program at the University of Indianapolis may be the change you need.  

The Master of Arts in Teaching Program is designed for career changers who wish to become secondary school (middle/junior high and high school) teachers.  Candidates can apply to this graduate education program if they have completed an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited university with a GPA of 2.5 or higher and have passed Praxis I, a pre-professional skills test (Reading, Writing, and Mathematics) required of all teachers.  Middle Level/High School Licenses are offered in the specialty areas of Mathematics, Business, Science (Biology, Chemistry, Earth-Space Science, and Physics), English Language Arts, Theater, Social Studies, and Modern Languages (French, Spanish, and German).  All Grade Licenses are offered in Music, Health/Physical Education, and Visual Arts.  Candidates in the MAT teacher education program are assigned to a cohort group devoted to best practices in teaching.  Additional information is available at education/uindy.edu/mat/ or contact Dr. Angelia Ridgway via e-mail at aridgway@uindy.edu. 

Make your career goals a reality.  Our graduate education programs are known for their small classes and personal attention from supportive, experienced faculty.  If you have an undergraduate degree from an accredited public or private college or university as well as a desire for a rewarding K-12 teaching career, the time for change through our MAT teacher education program is now. 

     Our graduate education programs are known for their leading-edge curricula, strong relationships with Indiana schools, small classes, and personal attention from supportive, experienced faculty and mentors.  Today's blog describes the Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction, a program designed to advance the knowledge and skills of classroom teachers.

     With an emphasis on best practices, the MA in Curriculum and Instruction courses provide opportunities for candidates to reflect on their own learning and teaching in their graduate education program.  Candidates can choose from a variety of electives in education---as well as arts and sciences---to complete their graduate studies and meet their own needs and those of their students.  The 36-credit hour masters degree in education curriculum may also include additional licensure in Exceptional Needs (Mild Intervention) through graduate-level courses as part of the degree program.  For more details, you can visit our web site at education.uindy.edu/ci/, or contact Donna Stephenson, Teacher Education Program, at (317) 788-4917. 

Take your teaching career to the next level in our graduate education program in Curriculum and Instruction! 

Welcome to the University of Indianapolis School of Education Graduate Programs blog!  Our graduate education programs are known for their leading-edge curricula, strong relationships with Indiana schools, small classes, and personal attention from supportive, experienced faculty and mentors.  We want to tell you about options for a rewarding masters degree in education experience and also about certification opportunities.  In this blog, we'll have information about our Master of Arts in Educational Leadership, iLEAD.  We'll follow up later with a review of three other graduate education programs:  Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction; Master of Arts in Teaching; Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellowship.

The Master of Arts in Educational Leadership equips new leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to confront the complex realities of today's schools.  ILEAD (Inspiring Leadership for Educational Excellence and Equity through Application and Academic Development) is a cohort program that offers a rich mix of practice and experience in the areas of curriculum, instruction, and school leadership.  Classes meet on selected Saturdays in an executive style format for 18 months.  This principal leadership program provides a variety of field-based experiences to integrate theory and practice.  On completion of the required 36 hours of coursework, individuals will be recommended for licensure in Indiana as building-level administrators after achieving qualifying scores on the ETS School Leaders License Assessment (SLLA) exam.  Those candidates who already hold a masters degree in education may enroll in iLEAD and pursue a license as a building-level administrator, which requires 24 credit hours.  For more details, please visit our web site at education.uindy.edu/iLEAD, or contact Chemain Arens, School of Education Graduate Programs at (317) 788-6098.

The University of Indianapolis, or UIndy, is a comprehensive, independent, student-friendly institution located just minutes from a thriving city center.  Our faculty and staff are committed to helping you become more effective in your daily work with students, to maximize your potential, and to prepare you for leadership.  UIndy is distinguished by highly respected undergraduate programs in teacher education, communications, and the health sciences, nationally ranked graduate programs, and Centers of Excellence, focusing on aging studies and education reform.  Personal attention, small, interactive classes, and flexible programming are the rule rather than the exception.