Indiana Innovation Educator Fellowship
The Indiana Innovation Educator Fellowship is an ambassadorship program hosted by the Indiana Department of Education, managed by the STARTedUP Foundation. There is no other state in the US that hosts a formal, state-certified ambassador program for teachers. Indiana hosts this program because we believe:
Educators have a higher mission and are the growth catalysts for our communities
Educators have vast networks and should be empowered to play a leadership role in them
Educators represent the futures of our communities and should be involved in the civic, policy, commercial, and innovation events that take place as ambassadors of their communities and the interests of statewide innovation
Through the 2022-2023 Indiana Innovation Educator Fellowship program, the STARTedUP Foundation will provide leadership development training and support to Indiana educators, with the mission of creating an ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship across Indiana schools. This program’s training and support, which will run the span of eight months, is intended to build the capacity of innovative teacher leaders throughout the entire state of Indiana, to help with teacher retention, and enhance opportunities for teachers and high school students. The STARTedUP Foundation will work with state and local partners across every community of Indiana to provide access to innovation exchanges, corporate innovation events, councils, civic and policy events and coordinate private experiences where this fellowship of educators will be immersed, included, and equipped to serve as ambassadors of the Indiana Department of Education and of the students and future of their communities. The STARTedUP Foundation will provide staff coaching and support to the network of educators while also facilitating peer support groups in sharing best practices. Additionally, the STARTedUP Foundation in partnership with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and Indiana Small Business Development Centers will work to engage these ambassadors with entrepreneurial support organizations and innovation hubs across the state.
Objectives
Program highlights throughout the year include the following:
18-week full curriculum to empower students’ mindsets and foster innovation.
Collaboration with a network of teachers to focus on improving student outcomes beyond academics.
An opportunity to work with your city leaders to build an ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Networking opportunities with key leaders around the state and nationally known innovators and entrepreneurs.
Become a STARTedUP Nationally Certified Innovation Teacher
Induction as an IDOE Innovation Fellow
Indiana Innovation Educator Fellowship Participation
The Indiana Innovation Educator Fellowship will be composed of up to 35 teachers from across the state. Teachers will work with STARTedUP to implement innovation/entrepreneurship curriculum activities in their classrooms and measure student outcomes. STARTedUP will host a series of in-person and virtual workshops throughout the year to build the capacity of innovative teacher leaders, with the goal of enhancing opportunities for students within their respective communities. Not only will this help educators better understand industry trends but it will empower educators to teach their students the skills necessary for the next steps in their educational, entrepreneurial, and workforce journey. Upon successful completion of the 2022-2023 cohort, graduates will be recognized as Fellows of the Indiana Innovation Educator Fellowship.
Note: You must be a practicing, Indiana-certified educator in grades 9-12. You do NOT need to be a business teacher to be a part of this cohort. In fact, many of the educators who have participated hold a variety of educator roles and cover a wide range of subjects. If you have a passion for solving problems, collaborating, and improving your community, this is for you!
Indiana Innovation Educator Fellowship Expectations
Participate in the two in-person workshops (October and April) and regular virtual workshops.
Incorporate STARTedUP curriculum (or tools) into your classroom over the course of 1 semester. Define an implementation strategy with STARTedUP
Submit student outcomes to the upcoming Innovate WithIN Pitch Competition
Submit content survey biweekly and participate in monthly calls with cohort members and STARTedUP staff
Help build a culture of innovation and serve as an ambassador in your school/town/state.
Applications Due September 2