College of Education faculty and staff inducted into the Million Dollar Club – News

Illinois State University recently inducted faculty and staff members into the 2024 Million Dollar Club for securing external funding that has significantly contributed to student learning and educational initiatives. The College of Education (COE) inductees’ dedication to securing grants has advanced teacher preparation, early childhood education, and professional development opportunities. Their collective efforts have brought in millions in external funding, strengthening programs that support educators and students across Illinois.

COE Director of Recruitment and Retention Kelli Appelobtain grant funding that greatly enhanced teacher education. As co-principal investigator, she assisted with the Illinois Board of Higher Education Early Childhood Education Online Workforce Program for 2022-2024, which provided a grant of $2,269,021. In addition, Appel helped coordinate the Redbird Educator Scholars Program initiative for 2024-2025, which resulted in a grant of $728,283 from the Illinois State Board of Education. The initiative provides support to first-generation college students coming from feeder high schools through mentoring and activities that lead to successful careers in teaching.

Sheri Bettis, interim director of the National Board Resource Center at ISU, played a pivotal role in securing a $4.5 million grant to expand the recruitment of National Board-certified teachers in Illinois. This funding supports educators and school counselors in achieving master designation in their certificate areas, enhancing their effectiveness, providing leadership opportunities, and ultimately elevating student learning outcomes.

Dr. Mindy Ely, associate chair of the Department of Special Education, played a key role in securing a $1.23 million grant to support the training of future teachers working with infants and toddlers who are deaf or blind. Initially serving as co-principal investigator alongside Dr. Maribeth Lartz, she transitioned to principal investigator after Lartz’s retirement in 2020. This funding aims to address the shortage of early intervention specialists and enhance educational opportunities for children with visual and hearing impairments.

Dr. Miranda Lin, professor in The School of Teaching and Learning, has secured nearly $1.3 million in external grants to support student learning and strengthen the early childhood education workforce. Her efforts include the Illinois Early Childhood Faculty Preparation Grant (2023-2024 for $910,000), which provided funding for in-service teachers in high-need communities to earn their master’s degrees and become faculty at community colleges. She also led the Illinois Gateways to Opportunity® ECE Credential Competency Project–Pilot Grant (2021 for $330,000), supporting both traditional and nontraditional students in piloting competency-based modules that have since been adopted across Illinois higher education institutions. Additionally, her work on the Illinois Gateways to Opportunity® ECE Credential Competency Project (2020 for $50,000) helped develop early childhood competency modules now used in teacher preparation programs statewide. Through these initiatives, Lin continues to advance early childhood education by expanding opportunities for aspiring educators and addressing teacher shortages.

Jennifer Smith, former director of the National Board Resource Center at ISU, secured a $1.5 million grant to support teachers and counselors pursuing National Board Certification. The funding provided subsidies, resources, and mentorship stipends to assist educators in achieving NBCT status. She has since transitioned to teaching full-time at Mahomet-Seymour Junior High while also serving as an adjunct for TCH.