Indiana Department of Education, STARTedUP Foundation launch the country’s first-ever state-certified educator fellowship
The Indiana Innovation Educator Fellowship is the country’s first teacher-focused ambassadorship program hosted by the Indiana Department of Education and managed by The STARTedUP Foundation. The mission of The STARTedUP Foundation is to empower a generation with an “opportunities are everywhere” mindset, fueling innovation, ecosystem building and working with students to view life through the lens of entrepreneurship and purpose.
The Fellowship is comprised of a select group of Indiana high school teachers passionate about engaging students in innovative ideas that go far beyond the classroom. The vision for this program is that educators have a higher mission outside the classroom and are intended to be growth catalysts, engaging with their vast networks and representing the futures of Indiana communities.
“I am incredibly encouraged by the passion these educators have for their students and know that the connections they make in their local communities and across the state will provide the foundation for so many valuable opportunities,” said Dr. Rebecca Estes, Senior Director of Educator Talent at the Indiana Department of Education.
Throughout the inaugural year of the eight-month Indiana Innovation Education Fellowship, STARTedUP will provide leadership development training and support to educators to create a statewide ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship. The hope is that these resources and support will positively influence statewide teacher retention and enhance networking, ecosystem expansion and civic opportunities as educators deeply engage in their community.
“As an educator of 21 years, when you bring a mindset of innovation into the classroom, things change for students,” said Don Wettrick, CEO of The STARTedUP Foundation. “These young people are able to visualize real-world opportunities and are challenged to explore their own entrepreneurial passions. We are so excited to be partnering with the Indiana Department of Education to make this fellowship program a conduit to impact Indiana’s economic ecosystem and future talent pipelines.”
As ambassadors of the Indiana Department of Education, these teachers will be engaged in peer support groups, sharing best practices and will be connected to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and the Indiana Small Business Development Centers who are critical in the success of expanding talent and innovation throughout Indiana. Outside of their local government and corporate leaders, Fellows will be involved in opportunities to network with state, national and global leaders in innovation.
After completing the Innovation Fellowship, educators will be inducted as Indiana Department of Education Innovation Fellow and become a STARTedUP Nationally Certified Innovation Teacher. There are 30 teachers from across the state in the 2022-2023 Indiana Innovation Educator Fellowship cohort.
