Support the Next Generation of Elementary Educators
An elementary school teacher does more than teach reading and math, they help shape future leaders. At Ball State, we prepare elementary educators who are culturally responsive, community-engaged, and committed to social justice.
Your investment directly supports the hands-on experiences that transform our teacher candidates into confident, capable classroom leaders.
How Your Gift Makes an Impact
Your support empowers elementary education (ELED) students to engage in meaningful, real-world learning experiences that prepare them for today’s classrooms and tomorrow’s challenges:
- Service Learning & Community Engagement - Teacher candidates serve in schools and community organizations as part of their coursework, strengthening local partnerships while gaining valuable experience.
- Emerging Instructional Technology & Media - Beginning in their first year, students learn to integrate innovative technologies and media into instruction. Your support sustains workshops, professional development events, book studies, and faculty-student technology initiatives that prepare candidates for 21st-century classrooms.
- Immersive Learning Opportunities - Students begin working directly with children and educators in their first year, participating in immersive projects that blend theory with practice.
- Living-Learning Communities - First-year teacher candidates benefit from peer mentoring, early professional development, and intentional community-building experiences that foster academic and personal success.
- College Mentors for Kids - Through mentorship programs, our candidates work with local Muncie elementary students, building relationships while developing leadership skills.
- Professional Development & Travel Opportunities
Gifts help expand opportunities for conference presentations, national and international study experiences (including England, Texas, and Germany), and faculty collaboration, broadening perspectives and strengthening instructional expertise.
- Urban School Program
Candidates spend a semester teaching and learning in the MSD of Wayne Township (Indianapolis), gaining valuable experience in diverse, high-impact school settings.
Real-World Preparation. Proven Results.
Our program emphasizes immersive, community-connected learning. Students collaborate with museums, childcare centers, community agencies, and Professional Development Schools across the region.
From their first year through student teaching, candidates work directly alongside experienced elementary educators in authentic classroom environments.
The results speak for themselves: our graduates achieve a 93 percent placement rate, guided by dedicated faculty recognized among the best in their fields nationwide.
Your Gift Extends Our Reach
Your generosity ensures that Ball State elementary teacher candidates can continue working with children and educators across Indiana, the United States, and around the world.
When you give, you are not only supporting a student, you are strengthening classrooms, communities, and the future of education.
Thank you for investing in the next generation of elementary educators.
