Right people, right time: How I-SEAL is transforming special education in Lawrenceburg Community Schools
Just off the banks of the Ohio River sits a school district determined to do things differently—especially for those students needing additional support. Lawrenceburg Community School Corporation (LCSC) is uniquely tackling one of the biggest issues facing education and the district today: the need for highly trained special education teachers. Rather than focusing solely on attracting and hiring licensed special educators, the school corporation is developing them internally through the support of the Indiana Special Education Assisted Licensure (I-SEAL) initiative.
The approach has area families and surrounding districts taking notice.
LCSC’s Superintendent Karl Galey and Director of Student Services Andrea Spaeth shared how this innovative program is helping the district overcome challenges, build stronger teacher-student relationships, and set a new standard for education.
“We had teachers who needed to transition from emergency permits. I-SEAL provided a way for them to get the special education certification they needed while still teaching.”
-Karl Galey, principal
A Timely Solution to a Growing Need
Lawrenceburg’s involvement with CELL started through the Early College program. Having experienced the benefits of the development opportunities offered through that initiative, Galey and Spaeth were quick to recognize the potential of I-SEAL for their district.
“The flexibility and cost-effectiveness were big draws,” Galey explained. “We had teachers who needed to transition from emergency permits. I-SEAL provided a way for them to get the special education certification they needed while still teaching.”
With an increasing number of students requiring special education services, LCSC knew they needed a solution that was both scalable and sustainable. I-SEAL offered an asynchronous pathway for K-12 teachers to earn licensure for mild and intense exceptional needs. The district now has teachers from pre-kindergarten through high school pursuing the licensure.
From Aides to Educators: A Pathway to Success
One of the most compelling stories to emerge from LCSC’s partnership with I-SEAL involves a former instructional aide within the district who aspired to become a special education teacher. She already had a non-teaching degree and was willing to go back to school but could not take on the financial burden. With the support of I-SEAL, the district helped her obtain a non-renewable Alternative Special Education license and enrolled her in a Transition-to-Teaching postsecondary program to pursue full licensure—at zero cost to her or LCSC.
“She’s now stepping into a teaching position in our intense behavior classroom,” Spaeth said. “I-SEAL created a huge win. We get a highly qualified teacher with the necessary training to do this work. She gets a job she loves without the debt of obtaining a second degree.”
Real-Time Learning, Real-World Impact
One of the key benefits of I-SEAL, according to Galey and Spaeth, is the program’s emphasis on applying the learning. Unlike traditional preservice teacher programs, which often have students waiting to put their learning into practice, I-SEAL allows educators to immediately implement new strategies in the classroom.
“Anytime you can apply something in real time, it’s important,” Spaeth noted. “Participating teachers are learning on the job and gaining valuable skills from other professionals and special education experts. They’re not just sitting in a college classroom; they’re learning and immediately doing.”
This approach has led to noticeable improvements in the quality of teaching within LCSC. Teachers participating in I-SEAL report greater confidence in their abilities, which in turn has led to stronger relationships with their students. One parent, whose child has attended multiple schools due to her father’s career in the U.S. Army, said her daughter is thriving at LCSC whereas she struggled in other districts. The family credits the quality of her special education teacher.
“I-SEAL is helping us get the right people certified. Now we have highly qualified special education staff throughout the district, and we’re not scrambling to find people to fill these positions.”
-Andrea spaeth, director of student services
A Scalable Solution for the Future
Looking ahead, Galey and Spaeth see I-SEAL as a critical tool in ensuring LCSC’s long-term success. With the program’s support, they filled all five of the special education teaching positions they needed last year—something many districts struggled to do.
“I-SEAL is helping us get the right people certified,” Spaeth said. “Now we have highly qualified special education staff throughout the district, and we’re not scrambling to find people to fill these positions. I-SEAL is helping us license current teachers and develop new ones from within our existing staff.”
As special education continues to be one of the most litigated areas in education, the importance of having well-trained, confident teachers is critical. Thanks to I-SEAL, LCSC is building a strong foundation of content knowledge and expertise that will benefit students for years to come.
“I-SEAL provides the tools and support teachers need to manage the challenges of special education.”
-Karl Galey, principal
The District “I-SEAL” of Approval
For districts considering whether to participate in I-SEAL, Galey and Spaeth have a clear message: Now is the time. The program offers a flexible, cost-effective way to meet the growing demand for special education teachers while also improving the quality of education for all students. Galey now reports families are transitioning into the district because of the caliber of the special education program.
“I-SEAL provides the tools and support teachers need to manage the challenges of special education,” Galey said. “It’s a program that truly understands the needs of our districts and is helping us make a positive impact on student learning.”
As LCSC’s story demonstrates, I-SEAL is more than just a program—it’s a catalyst for improving special education. And for the students who need these teachers most, that makes all the difference.
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The Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) at the University of Indianapolis offers I-SEAL in partnership with the Indiana Department of Education. I-SEAL funds graduate courses for full licensure in special education for teachers in other subject areas, non-education bachelor’s degree holders, and those needing to take the state licensing exam. Participants receive training, support, and full tuition assistance. Districts interested in licensing special education teachers at no financial cost can learn more about I-SEAL by visiting https://IndianaSEAL.org.