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Student Resources

Department of Teacher Education

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A member of the Herd is always available.

Find help, guidance, and assistance in the Department of Teacher Education—and across campus.

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TRANSITION TO TEACHING

Do more with your degree.

Interested in transitioning to be coming a teacher? This program will allow you to pair a teaching certification with your existing degree so that you can make a difference in the classroom.

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Advising

Student Success Center

The Student Success Center is your home for teacher education help. Here, you can speak with an advisor to plan out your semester, gain guidance on the best courses for your future, and get the advice you need for a successful education experience.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Get help funding your education.

Teacher education students may be eligible for the Daryl R. and Joenita K. Yost Endowed Scholarship, Elizabeth and Kirk Shuster Endowed Scholarship for Elementary Education, Gerald G. Szymanki Scholarship, Glen and Chris Bickel Scholarship, Helen F. Pyles Elementary Education Scholarship, Kirby Education Scholarship, Ron Venderly Education Scholarships, Sandra Warner Davis and Miles B. Davis Scholarship in Education, and the Purdue Fort Wayne Scholarship. For more information review the information below.

Questions? Contact Dr. Sharon Parnin.

Additional scholarships may be available through the Office of Financial Aid at [email protected].

This need-based scholarship for education majors is named in honor of Glen and Chris Bickel both long-time residents of Fort Wayne. This scholarship is designed to help education majors complete their degree. In previous years, one scholarship of approximately $1000.00 has been awarded. Interested applicants must meet the following criteria:  

  • Achieved junior (60 credit hours) or senior class standing (90 credit hours).  
  • Be eligible to graduate the same academic year for which the scholarship is awarded.  
  • Students must complete a FASFA form.  
  • Must be a declared education major either as your primary or secondary major or as an art or music education major.  
  • Certification and T2T students are eligible and encouraged to apply.  
  • Graduate students are not eligible.

This scholarship is need based. The donors were born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana and continue to have strong ties to this region.  Sandra Warner Davis is a graduate of the former Indiana University at Fort Wayne School of Education, now Purdue University at Fort Wayne School of Education.  Miles Davis’ mother and grandmothers were educators as well.  Interested applicants must meet the following criteria:  

  • Achieved sophomore status (30 credit hours or more).   
  • Undergraduate. 
  • Certification, T2T, and graduate students are not eligible.  
  • Must be a declared education major either as your primary or secondary major or as an art or music education major.  
  • Elementary education majors. preferred  
  • Graduated from an Allen County High School, private or public. preferred  
  • Immediate family has limited college experience. preferred  
  • FASFA required - Financial need. preferred

This need-based scholarship for education majors is named in memory of Dr. J. Randolph Kirby, Associate Professor Emeritus of Education. A graduate of the Chicago public school system where he also later taught before receiving doctorates of philosophy in history and philosophy of education, Dr. Kirby joined the faculty of then IPFW in 1969 where he taught social foundations courses. This scholarship is available to both graduate and undergraduate students. Preference will be given to graduate students enrolled in social foundations courses. In previous years, one scholarship of approximately $1500.00 has been awarded. Interested applicants must meet the following criteria:  

  • Undergraduate students achieved sophomore class standing (30 credit hours). 
  • Undergraduate students must be a declared education major either as your primary or secondary major or as an art or music education major.  
  • Graduate students who are completing one of the following programs are also eligible, Educational Leadership, Elementary and Secondary Education, Special Education and Counseling. 
  • Certification and T2T students are eligible and encouraged to apply.  
  • 2.7 minimum overall undergraduate GPA; 3.0 minimum graduate GPA.  
  • Students must complete a FASFA form. Financial need preferred  
  • Graduate students enrolled social foundation courses will be given preference.  

Dr. Beverly N. Parke was a tenured assistant professor in the School of Education of then IPFW from 1998 – 2008.  She was head of the Special Education program, specialized in the education of gifted and talented students, and wrote numerous books and articles on this topic. Most importantly, she was a fierce advocate for youth and early childhood education. Interested applicants must meet the following criteria:  

  • Must be a declared education major either as your primary or secondary major or as an art or music education major at the undergraduate level. 
  • Graduate students who are completing one of the following programs are also eligible, Educational Leadership, Elementary and Secondary Education and Special Education. 
  • Certification and T2T students are eligible and encouraged to apply.   
  • Achieved sophomore class standing (30 credit hours). 
  • FASFA form is not required.  
  • Certification and T2T students are eligible and encouraged to apply.  
  • Demonstrate a cumulative GPA in the B grading scale range of 2.7 to 3.3 on a 4.0 scale or higher.  

This is a need-based scholarship. Helen is passionate about volunteering and giving of her time and talent to venues that were important to her prior to and during retirement.  It was her hope that recipients of her scholarship might also want to contribute their time and talent to organizations for which they are passionate.  Helen created this scholarship in appreciation for, and acknowledgement of, the benefits she received from her own elementary school teachers as they inspired her adventures in learning.  Interested applicants must meet the following criteria:  

  • Achieved junior class standing (60 credit hours or more) – undergraduate only.  
  • Elementary education majors only.  
  • 2.5 GPA minimum overall undergraduate GPA.  
  • Established a commitment to become a teacher.  
  • Students must complete a FASFA form. – preference given for financial need  
  • First generation college students. – preferred  
  • Certification, T2T and graduate students are not eligible. 

Margaret E. Spiegel received her master’s degree from Indiana University and taught in the Fort Wayne Community School District for almost 50 years. Typical award amounts have been around $600.00. Interested applicants must meet the following criteria: 

  • Graduated from Fort Wayne Community School District or a private school within the Fort Wayne Community School District.  
  • Graduate students who are completing one of the following programs are eligible: Educational Leadership, Elementary and Secondary Education, Special Education and Counseling. 
  • Undergraduate students must be a declared education major either as your primary or secondary major or as an art or music education major. 
  • No FASFA required. 

The Hana Stith Elementary Education Scholarship was created to support elementary education students financially. Ms. Stith, born in Fort Wayne, spent 36 years as a teacher, and was one of the first African-American teachers to be hired by Fort Wayne Community Schools.  Ms. Stith was a caring and committed teacher who supervised many student teachers. Typical award amounts are $1200. Recipients may reapply in subsequent years as long requirements are met.  Interested applicants must meet the following criteria:  

  • Only undergraduate elementary or middle school education majors 
  • High school GPA 2.8 or higher 
  • Plan to teach in grades kindergarten through grade eight 
  • Plan to teach in public schools 
  • FASFA required.  Demonstrate financial need required. 
  • Underrepresented minority students are encouraged to apply. 
  • Certification, T2T and graduate students are not eligible. 

This merit-based scholarship for education majors is named in memory of Dr. Gerald G. Szymanski, Associate Professor Emeritus of Education. Dr. Szymanski used his years of experience as a professional educator to help advance the quality of teacher education and scholarship at then IPFW. This scholarship is available to both graduate and undergraduate students. In previous years, two scholarships of approximately $2000.00 each have been awarded. Interested applicants must meet the following criteria:  

  • Achieved sophomore class standing (30 credit hours) if undergraduate student.  
  • Undergraduate students must be a declared education major either as your primary or secondary major or as an art or music education major. 
  • Graduate students who are completing one of the following programs are also eligible, Educational Leadership, Elementary and Secondary Education, and Special Education. 
  • Certification and T2T students are eligible and encouraged to apply.   
  • 2.8 minimum undergraduate GPA; 3.0 minimum graduate GPA.  
  • FASFA form is not required.  

This merit-based scholarship for education majors is named in memory of Ronald Vernderly, a former teacher and educational philanthropist who believed in the transformative power of teachers. In previous years, two scholarships of approximately $1000.00 each have been awarded. Interested applicants must meet the following criteria:  

  • Achieved sophomore class standing (30 credit hours).  
  • 3.0 minimum GPA.  
  • FASFA form is not required.  
  • Must be a declared education major either as your primary or secondary major or as an art or music education major.  
  • Certification and T2T students are eligible and encouraged to apply.  
  • Graduate students are not eligible.

This merit-based scholarship for education majors is named in memory of Ronald Vernderly, a former teacher and educational philanthropist who believed in the transformative power of teachers. Preference will be given to social studies education majors. In previous years, one scholarship of approximately $1000.00 has been awarded. Interested applicants must meet the following criteria:  

  • Achieved sophomore class standing (30 credit hours).  
  • 3.0 minimum GPA.  
  • Legal resident of Indiana.  
  • FASFA form is not required. 
  • Must be a declared education major either as your primary or secondary major or as an art or music education major.  
  • Certification and T2T students are eligible and encouraged to apply.  
  • Graduate students are not eligible. 
  • Social Studies majors either secondary or middle school only. - Preferred

The Ophelia and Oscar Weitzman Completer Scholarship is awarded to support students financially as they finish their program. Typical award amounts are $2000. Recipients may reapply in subsequent years as long requirements are met. Interested applicants must meet the following criteria:  

  • Undergraduate students must be a declared education major either as your primary or secondary major or as an art or music education major. 
  • Certification and T2T students are not eligible.  
  • Graduate students are not eligible.  
  • Must have at least 24 credits completed at PFW. 
  • 2.8 minimum undergraduate GPA. 
  • Achieved junior (60 credit hours) or senior class standing (90 credit hours).  
  • Must be full-time student. 
  • Must complete FASFA form.  Financial need required. 

This is a new scholarship and is a need-based scholarship. The donors, Daryl R and Joenita K Yost, established this scholarship to provide financial assistance to international students or students from the United States whose cultural background and/or ethnicity will enhance the diversity of the student body at the university. Interested applicants must meet the following criteria:  

  • Full-time student.  
  • Undergraduate students must be a declared education major either as your primary or secondary major or as an art or music education major. 
  • Graduate students who are completing one of the following programs are eligible: Educational Leadership, Elementary and Secondary Education, Special Education and Counseling. 
  • Overall GPA 3.0.  
  • FASFA required.  Financial Need Required.  
  • First generation college student.  Preferred  
  • International student or student from the United States whose cultural background and/or ethnicity will enhance the diversity of the student body at the University. Preferred  

Essentials

Resources you need.

Find the tests, certifications, reports, and forms you are looking for on your journey to become a teacher.

You completed your courses. You fulfilled the student-teaching requirements. You have your hard-earned Purdue Fort Wayne bachelor of science degree in education. Now what? It’s time to pass the state exams and obtain certificates in both CPR and suicide prevention. Then, you will be ready to apply for an original Indiana license.

Questions? Contact Jim Beard, academic advisor and director of licensing, at [email protected] or 260-481-4100.

Apply for Your License

Licensure, Testing, & Test Prep Information

As a licensed teacher, you have two certificates you can earn to help you and your students be successful.

  Graduate Certification in Special Education Teaching English as a New Language (TENL) Certificate
Number of Credits 18 18
Faculty Contact Person

Jane Leatherman
260-481-5742
[email protected]

Shannon Bischoff
260-481-6989
[email protected] 

More Information Special Education Teaching English as a New Language

 

Initiate Criminal History Report Application

A Criminal History Report (CHR) must be obtained from Safe Hiring Solutions (SHS) unless you are an early childhood education major being placed in a Head Start setting.

Start Your Report Application

Note: You will need to use your personal email address on the application, not your Purdue Fort Wayne email address.

Check Your Email

After submitting your application, you will receive two sets of emails. One set will include a link, username, and password from [email protected]

A few days later, you will receive another set of emails with a link and password from [email protected]. This is the DCS portion of your application. You must fill out both portions of your application in order for your CHR to process.

If you don’t receive these emails, check your Spam or Junk Folder. If you still don't have the emails, call Safe Hiring Solutions at 888-215-8296.

Information for Early Childhood Education and Dual Majors

If you are an early childhood education major or a dual major who is being placed in a Head Start setting, you must follow two different procedures.

For an early-childhood-setting experience (Head Start), you will need to obtain a National Full Criminal History Check through IdentoGO. During this online application, choose the agency name “Family and Social Services Administration” and the application category “Child Care Center volunteer.” Continue with prompts and pay the fee. Once completed, these reports will go directly to the FSSA. You will need to keep copies of your receipt from IdentoGO to submit to each childcare program to which you are assigned.

For a field experience or student-teaching experience in a public or private preschool–12 school district, use the Safe Hiring Solutions. This report includes a federal district courts search.

If you have a noneducation bachelor’s degree, you can complete a certification-only option that leads to an Indiana teaching license. This option is for students in the early childhood generalist (preschool–3), elementary generalist (K–6), middle school only (5–9), and secondary (5–12) programs.

Requirements for Admission to the Program

  • Have a bachelor’s degree
  • Pass a basic skills assessment exam or approved alternative measure
  • Take one or more content specific exams relevant to the subject of the license  

Note: All content exams must be passed prior to student teaching.

 

Early Childhood Certification (P–3) Elementary Certification 
(K–6)

Secondary Certification

Number of Credit Hours     51 61 36
Minimum Number of Semesters 4 5 3, if started in spring; 4, if started in fall
Student Teaching Yes, one semester Yes, one semester Yes, one semester
Course Requirements Early Childhood Certification Elementary Certification

Middle School Only

 

Middle School Only
(choose two content areas)

Language Arts Mathematics Science Social Studies and Historical Perspectives (choose one minor) World Languages
Language Arts English 
(Language Arts)
Mathematics Biology
(Life Science)
Economics Spanish
Math     Chemistry Political Science  
Science     Earth Space Science Sociology  
Social Studies     Physics Psychology  

 

TaskStream

A powerful tool to help you improve.

Assessment is integral to creating and improving an effective education program at all levels. In the Department of Teacher Education, we use Taskstream to help us collect and store your assessments. This information allows us to modify, improve, and evolve our teaching and programs to better serve you.

You will be provided a subscription to Taskstream for each semester that you are in the education program. Your course instructors will talk to you about Taskstream and the specific assessments you will upload to this data-collection system.

SETTING UP YOUR ACCOUNT

Purdue Fort Wayne staff will create your Taskstream account early in your program. You will receive an email from both Taskstream and Purdue Fort Wayne notifying you that the account is ready to be activated. Follow the links in the Taskstream email to verify the account.

Once you have verified your account, you can visit the TaskStream website to log in. After you have logged in, you will need to enroll in the appropriate Direct Response Folio (DRF) where you can submit various key assessments.

Find TaskStream self-enrollment codes here.

Additional guidance for getting started in TaskStream is available in the quick-start guide for students here.

Academic Resources

The support you need.

 

Your education is not a singular pursuit, and we recognize that. You’ll have plenty of support from the Mastodon community.