Shaping Tomorrow’s Educators: How Education Next–Indy is Inspiring the Next Generation of Teachers

An issue facing the education community is attracting talent for a variety of instructional roles. In fact, in 2025, Indiana ranked 15th among 38 U.S. states facing teacher shortages, according to the World Population Review. To help solve this challenge, The Mind Trust is working to expose high school students to the wide variety of career paths available in K-12 education 

Education Next–Indy, a year-long program, is turning this challenge into an opportunity by empowering high school students to pursue careers in education. The program offers college-level education courses, professional development opportunities, and a supportive community of peers and mentors. 

The program is a collaborative effort between The Mind Trust, Marian University, Teach for America Indianapolis, Yellow Hat Consulting, Latinx Education Collaborative, and participating charter schools in Center Township: BELIEVE Circle City High School, Christel House Indianapolis, Herron Classical Schools, and Rooted School Indy. The initiative is building a homegrown pipeline of passionate, future-ready educators for Indianapolis.

“The Education Next conferences were very informative. They allowed me to see the key points of how to run an education center and all the work that happens behind the scenes. It showed me all the hard work that teachers pour into what they do and really opened my eyes. I got to meet new people from different schools and interact with them, and I think that made it more entertaining. ” – Pamela, 12th Grade

Building a Future for Education

The first cohort included approximately 60 high school students, most of whom are juniors and seniors. Many plan to return the following year, a testament to the initiative’s impact. This inaugural year focused on launching, learning, and refining the model to ensure future cohorts are even more impactful.

Each partner plays a critical role:

• The Mind Trust serves as the lead facilitator, managing programming and logistics.
• Marian University delivers academic content, provides instruction and financial support, and offers classroom space.
• Teach For America secures locations and supports day-of-facilitation of program sessions.
• Yellow Hat Consulting leads professional development sessions, offering student-friendly versions of the training used for educators.
• Latinx Education Collaborative designs and facilitates “problems of practice”—real-world education scenarios students must work through in each session.

Inside the Experience: What Students are Learning

Education Next–Indy goes beyond encouraging students to become teachers; it introduces them to the broader world of education careers. Program themes are structured to expose students to every facet of the field:

1. Business in Education 

Students discovered how professionals in business, communications, and nonprofit sectors support education systems. Speakers included leaders from the Indianapolis Recorder, Global Special Ed Associates, and other organizations that offer support services, advocacy, and educational products to schools.

2. Excellence in Education

What does it mean to be a master educator? Students explored how classroom teaching can serve as both a destination and a springboard. Veteran educators and instructional leaders shared how they grew their careers while remaining grounded in student impact.

3. Politics and Policy in Education 

Students explored how public policy directly shapes schools and were introduced to decision-making processes at both the state and local levels. A panel featuring leaders from the Indiana Department of Education, the Mayor’s Office of Education Innovation, and Indianapolis Public Schools highlighted the role of government in education and shared career pathways in policy, advocacy, and public service.

4. Funding and Finance in Education

Students gained insight into the operational side of schools—budgets, facilities, and resource allocation. Professionals in school operations, finance, and real estate walked students through how roles like Director of Finance or Boundary Analyst support student learning behind the scenes.

Each four-hour convening included:

• A panel of leaders in the field of the theme of the day
• Professional development sessions facilitated by Kimberly Ransom at Yellow Hat Consulting 
• Themed workshops tailored to each convening, called “problems of practice,” facilitated by Edgar Palacios at Latinx Education Collaborative.

“These conferences will ground you and help you understand the importance of education. I felt myself becoming more educated on current matters, and I hope they continue to do it in ways that will keep students inspired.”  – Nalayah, 12th Grade

Looking Ahead

Next year, the program aims to expand to include one or two more high schools. While the model is ideal for schools with cadet teaching programs, it’s open to any school with students passionate about working with children, particularly in K-12 settings, though the program also welcomes students interested in early childhood and higher education careers.

The long-term goal is to create a pipeline of well-prepared, locally invested educators who will return to serve students in Indianapolis. It prepares students for college and encourages them to see a future where they return and use those degrees to shape education in their hometown.