STATEHOUSE (May 23, 2023) – Gov. Eric Holcomb on Monday ceremonially signed into law legislation authored by State Rep. Dave Heine (R-Fort Wayne) allowing transition-to-teaching students to apply for a one-time, $10,000 state scholarship.
Heine said to be eligible for the one-time, $10,000 scholarship, applicants pursuing a transition-to-teaching certification would need to have a bachelor's degree from an accredited 4-year institution, agree to obtain an initial practitioner license and teach in an Indiana school corporation for at least five years.
"School districts are hiring a growing number of teachers who have transitioned from other professions," Heine said. "I appreciate working with local school leaders like Marilyn Hissong, superintendent of East Allen County Schools, and Mark Daniel, superintendent of Fort Wayne Community Schools, on this new law that finds innovative solutions to attract talented educators to our classrooms."
Transition-to-teaching programs, like those offered locally at Purdue University Fort Wayne and Trine University, prepare career professionals with degrees to teach elementary education, secondary classes or all-grade classes. Advocates for the legislation say these programs allow individuals who have industry experience to be trained to share that knowledge with the future workforce.
Heine's legislation, supported unanimously by state legislators, received backing from the Indiana School Boards Association, Indiana Urban Schools Association, and Indiana Small and Rural Schools Association.
For more information on House Enrolled Act 1528, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Dave Heine (R-Fort Wayne) represents House District 85,
which includes a portion of Allen County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
