INDIANAPOLIS — Right now, the Indiana Department of Education says there are 300 special education teaching positions open. But in recent years, that number has been higher.
That's why several teachers were hired on emergency permits, like Perry Meridian Middle School teacher Andrew Bova.
"I love where I'm at, I'm in a position where I continue to make an impact," he said.
Bova said he's always wanted to be a special education teacher, but switched his major to child development in college when he couldn't pass the state requirements.
"I was a preschool teacher, I even worked for DCS and juvenile probation," he said.
Even before he was hired through the permit, the district struggled getting other candidates.
"You know, we have some very qualified ones that do apply, but in the past, we may have had 10 candidates but now for an opening we may have two or three," Perry Township Schools director of special education Dana Vittorio said.
Throughout the 22 schools, around 3,000 students need use the special education department. This year, the department is fully staffed.
To bring more teachers on board, the district partnered with the University of Indianapolis for their Indiana Special Education Assisted Licensure (I-SEAL) program.
Through I-SEAL, people on emergency teaching permits or with a bachelor's degree are able to be inside a special education classroom every day while they work towards their license with no cost.
Since the program started in 2021, 590 teachers completed the program and earned their license.
"As a result of having more teachers in the field, students in special education will benefit," executive director of The Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning Carey Dahncke said.
Until Bova earns his license next fall, he'll continue to make an impact in his students' lives.
For more information on I-SEAL or how to apply, you can visit this website.