The partnership will establish a leadership pipeline that will support current educators within Muncie Community Schools by providing benefits like a tuition discount to pursue a Master of Arts in Education (MAE) in Educational Administration and Supervision, among other benefits.
Ball State University has partnered with Muncie Community Schools in order to strengthen the pipeline of Muncie Community Schools educator faculty who have qualifications to advance in their careers to become part of the leadership teams within the district's schools. The partnership will provide current teachers with tuition discounts, bonuses, mentorships, and co-teaching opportunities.
According to an article on Ball State University’s website, Dr. Chuck Reynolds, who serves as the director of public education and CEO of Muncie Community Schools, was quoted as saying of the new partnership, “By investing in the growth of our current teachers, we’re creating a sustainable leadership pipeline that will benefit students for years to come. When MCS teachers become MCS administrators, they bring deeper knowledge and long-term relationships that are very beneficial to the future success of our schools. This is an exciting component of our shared mission with Ball State, and a benefit we hope many of our people will appreciate.”
Per the agreement, any eligible Muncie Community Schools educator who enrolls in Ball State University’s Master of Arts in Education (MAE) in Educational Administration and Supervision program, which is offered fully online, will receive a 50% tuition discount for the whole 36-credit program. Participants will see a savings of roughly $11,000 over the course of the degree. The program can be completed in approximately 18-20 months, and includes a two-semester principal internship.
The relationship between Ball State University and Muncie Community Schools is longstanding, with the university having assumed stewardship for the school district in 2018. Ever since, the university and the district have had a close partnership that aims to support student and educator success.
Ball State University President Geoffrey S. Mearns said, “I am grateful to our colleagues at Muncie Community Schools for their continued partnership. This initiative exemplifies our University’s strategic commitments to graduate education and to community impact. We are proud to support the professional aspirations of MCS educators—and in doing so, we are also investing in the long-term success of the children and families in our community.”
Among the benefits participating educators will receive from Muncie Community Schools are a $1,500 retention bonus in their third year of employment following program completion, a $3,000 retention bonus in their fifth year of employment following program completion, paid release days for professional development and mentorship opportunities, in-house mentorship and support, and co-teaching opportunities with Ball State University faculty.
For more information about Ball State University, visit the school’s website.