Ironically, Nathan Massey credits his desire to be a teacher to years of taking classes with teachers who lacked passion for their work or dedication to their students. During school, Nathan explains that he struggled and often wished for a better support system for himself and his peers. By the end of his studies, he realized that he could be the change he wanted to see, and he began teaching in the apprenticeship program, offering students the support he always wished for. 

During his first year teaching, Nathan found himself connecting with students who reminded him of himself, particularly those who felt lost or confused about their futures and career direction. 

“I knew what it was like to bounce from job to job without direction,” he shares. “Teaching gave me the chance to guide them and help them see a path forward. When parents started telling me things like, “Thank you so much for helping my son,” or “My child didn’t care about school until they met you,” I knew I was where I belonged. That’s when it clicked for me—teaching wasn’t just something I tried, it was the career I was meant for.”

“Teaching wasn’t just something I tried, it was the career I was meant for.”

Teaching his very first apprenticeship class of 27 students had the biggest impact on Nathan’s career path. “It was a trial by fire,” he explains, “but it showed me how much I enjoyed helping people understand the trade and build confidence in themselves.” Later, when he began teaching at the Kokomo Area Career Center, he developed a new teaching philosophy. “I realized I could take my own struggles—feeling lost, bouncing from job to job—and use them to connect with students who were in that same place.”

Nathan felt exceptionally prepared for his role by Ball State University. The projects he did, which required him to design curriculum and break down tasks into standards-based objectives, were beneficial; more than just homework projects, these tasks became the foundation for his classroom work. 

The Benefits of Ball State University’s Workplace Specialist II License Program

Ball State was the only school in the area that offered Nathan the option to attend without a bachelor’s degree—a huge benefit for someone who wants to pursue further education with a technical background. “I was able to take advantage of my Workplace Specialist II license, and that opened a door I didn’t think I’d have [access to] otherwise,” Nathan says. And, since the program was online, working toward the license was more manageable since he was already working full-time.

The cost of the program was something Nathan saw as an investment in his future, knowing that completing it would lead to a raise and that what he learned would help him become a stronger teacher. “When I compared it to other options, Ball State stood out because it was practical, flexible, and specifically designed for people in my situation. It wasn’t just about checking a box for a degree — it was about building a career I could grow in long-term,” Nathan says. 

“When I compared it to other options, Ball State stood out because it was practical, flexible, and specifically designed for people in my situation. It wasn’t just about checking a box for a degree — it was about building a career I could grow in long-term.”

A Ball State Program Helps Develop a Career Path

Nathan currently works at the Kokomo Area Career Center, educating high school students on residential, commercial, and industrial skills. He also teaches in the apprenticeship program, helping both teenagers and adults find a pathway into the trade. 

“Ball State prepared me for this by giving me the tools to turn my trade knowledge into real teaching practice,” Nathan explains. “Before, I knew how to do the work, but I didn’t always know how to break it down into lessons, objectives, and assessments that students could follow.” 

“Ball State prepared me for this by giving me the tools to turn my trade knowledge into real teaching practice.”

He goes on to explain that the projects he completed at Ball State carried over directly into his classroom. “[Ball State] gave me the structure and confidence to not just teach what I know, but to help students build skills that will carry them into careers.”

“[Ball State] gave me the structure and confidence to not just teach what I know, but to help students build skills that will carry them into careers.”

Proud Accomplishments of a CTE Graduate

In addition to earning his Workplace Specialist II license, Nathan has also earned his Master of Career and Technical Education (CTE) from Ball State, all while continuing to teach full-time. “This program gave me the tools to transform my trade knowledge into effective teaching practice, and it has helped me grow into the educator I am today,” he shares. 

“This program gave me the tools to transform my trade knowledge into effective teaching practice, and it has helped me grow into the educator I am today.”

One of the accomplishments Nathan is most proud to share is building the electrical program at the Kokomo Area Career Center from the ground up. When he was a new teacher, class sizes were large, and materials and resources were not readily available for each student. Those first few years were a challenge, but he worked hard to get creative with lessons and classroom management to keep students engaged.

He shares that it has now been four years, and the program has become more solid and well-structured. They have more substantial resources and a more straightforward path to student success. He is proud of the accomplishments he has achieved through his education and looks forward to connecting with other educators who share his commitment to career and technical education.