Best wishes for a joyous and restful holiday season and a new year filled with peace and happiness.

Take a look at some highlights from this past year:

Urban Internship Program Tour

On Thursday, February 23, 2023, Teachers College (TC) faculty were joined by educators who traveled to Indianapolis to participate in the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) Annual Meeting for a tour of Rhoades Elementary School, one of TC’s partner schools. The school is part of Wayne Township, where the Urban Immersion Internship program is held.

The program is a longstanding immersive learning opportunity at Ball State in which teacher candidates participate in an intensive semester-long authentic teaching experience in diverse classrooms in Indianapolis. Ball State faculty from multiple departments and disciplines collaborate to prepare teacher candidates to be well-rounded, impactful teachers in urban schools.

Following the tour at Rhoades, the group met at Ben Davis Christian Church for learning activities, followed by a panel made up of current Rhoades educators, and past and present participants in the Urban Immersion Internship program.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Photo Wall Project Unveiled

Over the past two years, departments have diversified the images in their respective spaces to more inclusively reflect the range of diverse identities and experiences among their students, families, faculty, staff, and community partners. So far, Indiana Academy, Burris Laboratory School, and Educational Leadership (9th floor of TC) have completed the update of their spaces.

On Wednesday, December 6, 2023, Early Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies (6th floor) became the fourth TC area to complete the update, with an unveiling of their Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Photo Wall Project. If you are on campus, you are welcome to view these beautiful new displays which are reflective of our university’s values.

Jump Start Program

For the second year, incoming Teachers College freshmen were given the opportunity to arrive on campus early to participate in the Jump Start program. This year, 43 incoming students participated in this free three-day transition program aimed at providing participants with the opportunity to learn about their major, the city of Muncie, Muncie Community Schools, and the campus community. Activities included:

  • “Get to Know You” night – dinner and games
  • Community Day – bus tour of Muncie and schools, Connection Corner, Motivate Our Minds,   Avondale Church, Ross Community Center, Rindard Greenhouse, Glick Center
  • Taco Food Truck at Hazelwood Church, outdoor games, meet TC faculty
  • Amazing Race – Scavenger hunt of campus in conjunction with the College of Health Jump Start students
  • Class experiences with degree/department

One Ball State Day

One Ball State Day was held on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. The university raised over $1 million thanks to the generosity of the cardinal community. Teachers College received 684 gifts totaling over $111,000 for departments, University Schools, and the college as a whole. Fun on-campus activities such as the Cardinal Dash & Splash (pictured above) were held. The Cardinal Dash & Splash was a series of races at Lewellen Pool between University employees on adult-sized inflatable ducks. The top two racers received $1,000 each to designate to the University fund they represent.

Save the date for the next One Ball State Day, which will be held on Wednesday, April 3, 2023. It is an opportunity for you to come together as a Cardinal and give back to a department or program that you are passionate about.

Civics Learning Symposium

The Center for Economic and Civic Learning (CECL) at Ball State University hosted the 2023 Annual Civic Learning Symposium August 25 and 26, 2023. Supported by the U.S. Department of Education in alignment with the CREATE project, this event convened practitioners, teachers, and scholars to explore innovative and exceptional approaches to improve the quality of American civics instruction. Learn more.

UNITED Project Welcomes Students from Uzbekistan to Ball State

From June 15-July 6, 2023, Ball State University hosted 15 Uzbek college students, ages 18-24, and one Uzbek faculty member, as part of a new exchange program. For those 21 days, the visiting youth learned and worked alongside Ball State students in interdisciplinary, cross-cultural student teams. Learn more.

Top 100 Students Honored

The Ball State University Foundation Top 100 Student Awards recognizes 100 outstanding junior and senior undergraduates at Ball State University who represent Beneficence both in and out of the classroom. This year there were 17 Teachers College students on the Top 100 list. All Top 100 students were honored at a reception on One Ball State Day (April 5, 2023). Learn more about some of the TC Top 100.

New Flight Path to Teaching Program for High School Students Takes Off

In mid-June, Teachers College organized two separate week-long residential summer camp experiences aimed at rising high school seniors interested in teaching. The Flight Path to Teaching Adventure program was made possible through the Indiana Youth Programs on Campus Lilly Endowment grant, which covered all costs for the participants. A diverse group of 22 high school students from across the state were in attendance. Learn more about the inaugural 2023 program.

For 2024, the Flight Path to Teaching Adventure is open to both rising high school juniors (on June 9-12, 2024) and rising seniors (on June 16-18, 2024). Participants will gain valuable experience and build leadership skills while spending a week living in a residence hall on the beautiful Ball State University campus. Learn more about the upcoming summer 2024 program.  Registration opens January 10, 2024!

Two Muncie Central High School Graduates Receive Ryan Family Scholarship

La’Saiha Ewing and Brian Whitley, both graduates of Muncie Central High School, received Ryan Family Scholarships at Ball State University. The Michelle A. and James T. Ryan Family Scholarship and the Ryan Family Navigators Program were established by TC alum Michelle Ryan and her husband Jim in December 2020.

The Ryan Family initiatives assist students from diverse and economically challenged backgrounds by providing financial assistance and comprehensive student support services to them. La’Saiha Ewing is pursuing a degree in art education, while Brian Whitley is a social studies teaching major. Learn more.

Stay in touch with Teachers College throughout the year on social media.