Rewriting the Story: Sara Searer’s Plan to Inspire Students Through Dual Credit

Step into Sara Searer’s high school classroom and you might think you’ve stumbled into an episode of The Magic School Bus. Wearing dresses adorned with dinosaurs and math equations, she proudly embraces her role as the “resident Ms. Frizzle.” But while her quirky wardrobe may spark smiles, it is her mission as an educator that leaves an impression.

Searer’s journey into teaching is anything but typical. She grew up in a close-knit, lower-income community where residents rarely considered college. Yet, she broke the mold to pursue multiple majors, eventually leading to a career in nursing. It would be years before she discovered her true calling: helping students achieve dreams they hadn’t yet dared to imagine.

Now with a master’s degree and dual credit credential obtained through Teach Dual Credit Indiana, Searer is turning her story into a lesson in possibility. She’s on a mission to bring college-level opportunities to her students, proving that where you start doesn’t define where you end up.

A quick search for “teach dual credit for free” led [Searer] straight to Teach Dual Credit Indiana.

From Eye Exams to English Lit

Searer didn’t initially set out to work in education. Going against her parents’ wishes by pursuing a postsecondary degree, she headed off to college to study film editing. She added additional majors—and multiple part-time jobs to pay for them—leaving her tired and broke.

She left college early after completing her certified nursing assistant (CNA) requirements to work full time, landing a job at an optometrist’s office with nights spent nursing in a local psychiatric ward. But something was missing. While she enjoyed caring for patients, education was the part of the job she loved most.

When the pandemic hit, Searer went back to school for her bachelor’s degree in human psychology. An advisor recognized her teaching potential, which was the push she needed to finally pursue her passion for education. She completed the Teachers of Tomorrow transition to teaching program soon after.

Then a call came from a small private school in Indianapolis. The school needed someone to teach English, American Sign Language, and psychology—Searer’s exact blend of interests. It was the perfect fit for her next career chapter.

“I thought that if they could try a couple of college classes for free, from someone like me who knows the system, it could make a big difference.”

-Sara Searer, dual credit teacher

Flipping the Script on High School and College

The school serves K-12 students, including many students who would be the first in their families to pursue college. In a community where household incomes trend well below the state median, the long-standing expectation has been simple: graduate high school and get a job. Postsecondary education often wasn’t part of the plan. Searer knew this story all too well—and she was determined to rewrite it.

To make college a viable option for her students, she set out to offer dual credit courses to allow students to experience higher education and consider different career paths while still in high school. But there was a problem: none of the staff, including Searer, were qualified to teach them.

A quick Google search for “teach dual credit for free” led her straight to Teach Dual Credit Indiana. The program, administered by the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) at the University of Indianapolis, offered the tuition-free courses and resources she needed to obtain her dual credit credentials. More importantly, it gave her the chance to change the postsecondary narrative for her students.

“I thought that if they could try a couple of college classes for free, from someone like me who knows the system, it could make a big difference,” Searer said.

“I think the biggest barrier for teachers furthering their education—and ultimately students’—is the cost. I wouldn’t have been able to pursue dual credit teaching had this program not been there.”

-Sara Searer, dual credit teacher

Turning the Page: How Teach Dual Credit Indiana Edited Searer’s Career Story

Through Teach Dual Credit Indiana, Searer earned 18 graduate credits in English, then went on to complete her master’s degree–debt-free–to meet requirements to offer dual credit courses.

“I think the biggest barrier for teachers furthering their education—and ultimately students’—is the cost,” Searer said. “I wouldn’t have been able to pursue dual credit teaching had this program not been there.”

She completed everything in less than two years, all while navigating major life changes. Between managing a full-time job, moving homes, and becoming a new mom, she stayed on track, graduating with a GPA above 4.0. The program’s flexibility played a key role in her success. Online courses through Indiana Wesleyan University and Indiana Tech allowed her to complete coursework in six-week blocks, making it easier to balance her personal and professional life.

“I designated Tuesdays and Thursdays after school to work on assignments. This way, my nights and weekends remained free,” Searer said. “Time management is very important, but the professors and staff were always more than willing to accommodate when needed.”

Beyond meeting requirements to teach dual credit courses, Teach Dual Credit Indiana helped Searer grow as an educator. Her classes now incorporate fresh perspectives gained from her graduate studies, like examining minority voices in literature.

“The more knowledge I gain, the more I have to share with my students,” she said. “I’m providing them with a better education.” 

She’s also become a role model for perseverance. “When students complain about their workload, I remind them I was doing the same thing while working full time and raising a baby,” she jokes. But the real lesson for students is deeper: “When someone invests in you, you can achieve great things. Prove the investment was worth it.”

The Next Chapter: Helping Students and Educators Advance

Searer’s experience with Teach Dual Credit Indiana has empowered her to offer two dual credit courses in the 2025-26 school year, with plans to expand. But her influence extends beyond the classroom. She also now mentors fellow teachers and has taken on additional administrative roles to foster growth throughout the school.

For educators like Searer, Teach Dual Credit Indiana is more than professional development—it is a catalyst for meaningful change in education. The program helps teachers expand their qualifications, advance their careers, and open doors to college for students that may have never considered it.

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If you are an Indiana educator looking to broaden your impact, Teach Dual Credit Indiana could be the next chapter in your story. Like Searer, with a mix of curiosity and determination, you can create a classroom where students discover their own potential—and write a new future for their lives.