Life rarely follows a straight path. Maybe you’ve earned a degree in a field that no longer excites you, or you’ve spent years in a job that feels unfulfilling. You’re not sure how to switch courses, and it feels like it’s too late to start over.
You’re not alone! At Grace, we believe it’s never too late to find your purpose. Our Transition to Teaching program offers students a clear path forward, even if teaching wasn’t the path they originally chose. If you’re looking for a way to make a difference, even without a degree in education, you can begin your teaching career.
What is a Teacher Preparation Program?
Grace College’s Transition to Teaching program is a graduate-level program that prepares students to become effective and well-rounded teachers. The best part? All you need is an accredited bachelor’s degree – in any field – to enroll in our program! If you meet this requirement, then you’re set to earn your teaching license and step into a career that makes a lasting impact.
Courtney Thrasher, assistant professor of education and alternative programs and partnerships director at Grace, explained, “The goal of the Transition to Teaching Program is to help people who realized after earning their bachelor’s degree or working in a different field that they desire to become a teacher.”
The program is designed for anyone who wants to become a licensed teacher in the state of Indiana. From there, the teaching license can be easily transferred anywhere in the U.S. with the help of Florell Hand, our licensing specialist.
What makes this program special?
We could write a book about the unique attributes of our program at Grace. We can’t help it — we love what we do! But to spare you the details and give you an overall idea of what we offer, here are the top six!
Learners come from all walks of life.
The Transition to Teaching program is for anyone who has a bachelor’s degree, allowing a diverse range of people to choose to pursue this career route. “We have people coming from so many different former careers, backgrounds, and age ranges,” said Thrasher. “Right now, I’ve got a couple of students who just graduated, and I’ve got three sixty-year-olds.”
As people with different backgrounds each bring unique knowledge to the table, this diversity provides students with another aspect of learning. “It’s so neat to be able to learn from all of their experiences and see how the students interact with each other and support each other,” said Thrasher.
The program is 100% online.
With a fully online program, students enjoy the benefits of virtual learning. Since it is an accelerated program, the elementary licensure can be earned in 18 months, while the secondary teaching license can be earned in 12 months! Eight-week courses formatted into weekly modules provide students with the flexibility to work at their convenience.
“We don’t want anyone to ever feel like this is too much,” said Thrasher. “We’ve really tried to make it so that the typical coursework week is something you can manage.”
While the teaching preparation program is fully online, the community aspect of in-person education is not lost. Students form meaningful relationships with their cohort members and professors. “It’s an accelerated program to help people get their teaching license in a competent, supportive environment where they feel seen as an adult student, but they’re also developing skills to be effective teachers in online environments,” said Thrasher.
You will be supported.
In her role at Grace, Thrasher desires to support students in their journey through the teaching preparation program. Thrasher makes an effort to know each prospective student personally.
Student support doesn’t end with Thrasher. While the program is 100% online, all of the School of Education faculty is devoted to students’ success in all aspects of their lives.
“We are an incredibly supportive and hands-on program,” said Thrasher. “Even though it’s online, you’re not going to feel like just a face – we want to know you as a person. We want to see students grow, not just as a teacher or student, but grow as a person and in their relationship with Christ as well.”
Our professors are highly qualified.
The same professors who teach the undergraduate education program teach the online courses for the Transition to Teaching Program. Grace’s professors bring their experience and knowledge to provide a quality education to prepare you for a teaching license.
Students are supported by faculty through every step of the program. From receiving help with student teaching placements to being provided a college supervisor during student teaching, learners are surrounded by a community of support and encouragement throughout their journey.
You will receive boots-on-the-ground training.
The Transition to Teaching program provides students with practical, hands-on training for aspiring teachers to become who they are created to be. Thrasher said, “We have specifically designed our program to prepare students to teach right away.” Because the first courses in the program include lesson planning and classroom management, students receive the training they need to feel equipped to teach right off the bat.
Many students in Indiana have even started teaching while they are in the program through the Transition to Teaching permit, allowing students to teach for up to three years while they are enrolled in the Transition to Teaching Program.
We work together to meet an important need.
By obtaining their teaching license, students are filling the need for teachers across the U.S. “It’s been cool to see the students who have gone through our program get licensed and get teaching jobs,” said Thrasher. “We are filling the need of licensed teachers in the state of Indiana and other states as well!”
According to Thraser, there is satisfaction in knowing that real children are benefitting from the program’s outcomes. “This program has been so rewarding,” said Thrasher. “I’m very passionate about every child having a licensed teacher, and we know that there are teaching shortages and people are looking for alternative places to fill that gap. It’s satisfying to know we’re helping to fill that need.”
Why Should You Get Your Teaching License?
Teachers have the power to change the lives of their students. The Transition to Teaching Program is for anyone who wants to make an impact on children and young adults in a tangible way.
Is the Transition to Teaching program right for you? It’s time to take your first step. Check out Grace’s Transition to Teaching program today.
You are created for more!
Learn more about our School of Education.
