Eric Firstenberger was busy with a corporate job in banking when he began to feel restless. He wanted to make a difference somehow. That wish to make an impact led him to make a career change to teaching. After taking a job teaching math at Jimtown High School in Elkhart, Indiana, Firstenberger was encouraged to pursue the Transition to Teaching program at the IU School of Education. 

The Transition to Teaching program is the perfect fit for people like Firstenberger who have a bachelor’s degree in another field and are considering teaching as a career. It’s also a great pathway to licensure for anyone teaching on an emergency license, as they can continue to work in their school while receiving university support. Current classroom teaching responsibilities also count towards field experience and student teaching requirements.

“The program addresses some areas of growth that needed improvement within my current teaching style,” Firstenberger said. “My classroom management has improved a lot this school year, and since joining the program, my pacing of when and how I deliver curriculum in my content area has really started to deliver some long-term results in my students' retention.”

As a T2T student, Firstenberger’s goal is to shore up his weaknesses and learn how to play to his strengths. 

“My greatest strength is my ability to relate to the students: I'm still young enough that we share the same generation (a fact that continues to blow their minds), so I get their humor and I understand the struggles that many teens face during this time of their lives. I have positive relationships with many students, and seeing them grow and strive for excellence continues to motivate me to keep doing the same,” he said.

Firstenberger also won two scholarships from the Commission of Higher Education and the Wood-Ryner Family Fellowship to help offset the cost of the T2T program, which will open the gateway for him to consider future educational opportunities within teaching.

As he continues with the program, Firstenberger is excited to continue to improve in his classroom and become more involved with his school.

“My first year of teaching was the most work I had ever put into a job up to that point, and I had plenty of moments during that year where I felt that I could've delivered content better,” he said. “I redesigned my course structure over the summer, and the results have been solid to start this school year. Finding ways to connect the content to my students has been the key to piquing their interest in math so far this school year. 2025 also marked my first year coaching the boys and girls tennis teams at Jimtown. I've been busy, but quite happy!”