VU collaborates with K-12 partners to launch new online teacher preparation bachelor’s degree

Pictured (L-R): Dr. Cynthia Ragle, Collin Crabtree, Kassandra Moody, Jaci Lederman and Greg Parsley at Vincennes Lincoln High School.

September 02, 2026

VINCENNES, Ind. –  Vincennes University is establishing a game-changing approach to educator training through the launch of its Online Teacher Preparation Initiative. Designed to support K-12 partner schools facing critical shortages, this initiative provides a new online, high-quality bachelor's degree program designed to streamline the certification process and place future educators in the classrooms that need them most.

The collaborative partnership helps K-12 partners recruit and prepare local aspiring teachers through a powerful “Grow-Your-Own” strategy.

Provost Jaci Lederman said, "This initiative comes straight from conversations with our K-12 school partners, who shared the specific challenges they face every day. Vincennes University created this online program in direct response to those needs, tearing down geographic and financial walls. It delivers the academic excellence VU is known for while giving future teachers a flexible, affordable path into local classrooms."

An online Dual Licensure in Elementary Education (K-6) and Special Education (Mild Interventions P-12) bachelor’s degree from VU is a vital pathway to professional certification for paraprofessionals, career switchers, community members and anyone who wants to become an educator.

College of Social Science, Performing Arts and Communication Dean Dr. Cynthia Ragle said, "We know how hard our local schools are searching for dedicated teachers, especially in elementary and special education. This program gives people in our own neighborhoods, including classroom aides and aspiring teachers, a clear and manageable path to earn a degree without putting their lives on hold. By bringing dual licensure online, Vincennes University is helping schools invest in the talent already in front of them."

Teaching offers the unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of many while also shaping the future of local communities.

Teachers, particularly in the special education field, are in high demand throughout the United States, which makes for great job security. College majors with the lowest unemployment rates are special education (0.7%), miscellaneous education (1.1%) and elementary education (1.2%), according to data released earlier this year by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

VU’s Online Teacher Preparation Initiative is designed to deliver active, local impact:

Immediate Solutions for High-Need Classrooms

•       Filling Critical Shortages: VU places qualified, certified teachers directly into high-demand Special Education and Elementary classrooms to help close learning gaps and support student success.
•       Dual Licensure Edge: VU prepares educators to earn dual licensure within a single degree program, equipping teachers to address multiple key staffing needs across school corporations.

Expanding and Diversifying Local Pathways

•       "Grow Your Own" Flexibility: Professionals from all career backgrounds can transition into teaching through a flexible online pathway that fits around their current employment and personal commitments.
•       Early Pipeline Inspiration: VU partners with Indiana school corporations to expand dual-credit coursework, inspiring high school students early and accelerating their journey toward a teaching career.

A Proven, Nationally Recognized Partner

•       Top-Tier Quality: Future teachers learn through a premier program rated A+ by the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ).
•       A Track Record of Innovation: VU leverages strong K-12 partnerships to deliver custom program design and fresh educational opportunities directly to local school communities.

Leaders, teachers and students across education are praising VU and its new Online Teacher Preparation Initiative.

Here’s what they’re saying:

Greg Parsley, Vincennes Community School Corporation Superintendent: “We appreciate the partnership with Vincennes University. We know we need teachers, and we need high-quality teachers. We’ve had a long relationship with VU. A large number of our teachers come from Vincennes University, so anything that we can partner with the University on, including the Grow-Your-Own initiative is a win for the VCSC.”

Kevin Frank, Washington Community Schools Superintendent: “As a rural school district, what excites me the most about our partnership with Vincennes University is the opportunity to grow our own future educators right here in Washington. We have talented paraprofessionals, other staff members, students, and community members who have the potential to become teachers, but the traditional path to earning a teaching degree isn’t always practical for them. This partnership helps remove some of those barriers and creates a flexible pathway for people who already know our schools and our community. I think the impact can be significant because this program makes becoming a teacher more realistic for people who may already be part of our schools and our community. When someone can continue working, remain connected in Washington, and complete a high-quality teacher preparation program online, that opens doors that may not have been available through a traditional college model. For us, that means the opportunity to develop educators who already understand our students, our families, and our community. Ultimately, that can lead to stronger classrooms, greater continuity, and teachers who are invested in Washington for the long term.”  

Collin Crabtree, VU Graduate '20 and Vincennes Lincoln High School History Teacher: “A lot of the methods that we learned at VU were tremendous in helping me be prepared for a classroom: the huge influence of positive rapport, lesson planning, and then also making sure that you helping every single student who walks into your classroom. I’m thankful that I was able to study in a program that rivals every single program in the state. I’m thankful for the experiences the VU Education program gave me during college, and being able to work in my hometown in a corporation that I grew up in.”

Kassandra Moody, VU Education Major '27: “All of my professors worked in the education field before becoming professors at VU. This has provided me a chance to hear about real experiences that happened in the classroom and how I can use that knowledge in my future career. Right now with Science of Reading, that’s a really big deal and we get a lot of education on that. With the dual licensure, we also get that aspect of special education. Even if we were to be in the general education classroom, we have the knowledge and skills to work with those students in that environment as well. I’m a non-traditional student. I have two children. I completely understand how difficult it can be when making a decision to go back to school. An online program would open up that option for people like me.”

Ava Williams, VU Online Education Major '27: “Online classes have made it a lot easier for me to balance school with my everyday life and other responsibilities. I like being able to work on assignments when I have time instead of having to be in class at a certain time every day. If I have a busy day, I can work on my schoolwork later or get ahead when I have more free time. It has also helped me get better at managing my time and making sure I stay on top of deadlines. I really appreciate the flexibility of online classes because it allows me to fit school into my schedule without it taking over everything else. What stands out to me most about the quality of education I am receiving from VU is how much the classes focus on preparing us for the real classroom. I feel like I am learning so much more than just the information I will need to know, I am also learning how to actually teach it and work with different types of students. The assignments and experiences have helped me understand what being a teacher really involves and have given me opportunities to practice skills I will use in my future classroom. The professors are also wonderful at connecting what we are learning to real life situations. They give us examples from their time in the classroom, and I feel like these really help me understand the lesson more.”

To learn more about VU Bachelor's Degrees, Associate Degrees and Certificates in Education, visit the Education Department.

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