Miami, Butler Tech collaborate on teacher education pathways
Initiative will reduce both time and cost to becoming a licensed educator
Published
Miami University and Butler Tech are collaborating to help reduce both the time and cost required to become a licensed educator. Butler Tech students will begin their teacher education pathway in high school, earning college credit to continue seamlessly into Miami’s teacher preparation program, which will start in the 2026-2027 academic year.
Miami, Butler Tech collaborate on teacher education pathways
Published
Miami University and Butler Tech are teaming up to help reduce both the time and cost required to become a licensed educator.
Butler Tech students will begin their teacher education pathway in high school, earning college credit to continue seamlessly into Miami’s teacher preparation program, an aligned effort by both institutions. The Butler Tech to Miami Pathway Addendum for Teacher Education Programs begins in the 2026-2027 academic year.
“The future of education depends on how we prepare the next generation of teachers,” said William Sprankles, Butler Tech superintendent. “By partnering with Miami University, Butler Tech is helping to build a stronger, more sustainable educator workforce for our region. This pathway not only benefits students but also supports schools, families, and communities by ensuring that classrooms are filled with passionate, well-prepared teachers.”
Amity Noltemeyer, dean of Miami’s College of Education, Health, and Society (EHS), said early introduction to college-level education courses and K-12 field experiences will prepare students for success as they transition into a university-level educator preparation program.
“This initiative offers several key benefits for EHS and Miami University,” Noltemeyer said. “It strengthens the educator pipeline by identifying and supporting future teachers early in their academic path — an important step given current and projected teacher shortages.”
Noltemeyer also stressed the initiative will increase access by lowering the overall time and cost to earn a teaching degree. It also builds on strong existing institutional partnerships.
“Ultimately, initiatives like this help us recruit engaged and well-prepared students, support the regional education workforce, and offer a forward-thinking response to the teacher shortage,” Noltemeyer said.
Recruitment for the first student cohort begins this fall. The inaugural group of students will begin the program as 10th graders at Butler Tech in August 2026.
After starting the pathway at Butler Tech, students can continue their education at Miami in a way that best fits their goals. Depending on their specific education major, they’ll have the option to study at the Hamilton Regional campus; transition to the Oxford campus; or complete certain degrees fully at Hamilton or online. Each option leads to a degree in education and a clear path to becoming a licensed teacher.
Miami Regionals and Butler Tech announced last fall a similar partnership for a 1+3 Nursing Model, which allows Butler Tech students to complete their first year of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing while still in high school.
“These pathways show Butler Tech's commitment to preparing students early for meaningful careers,” Sprankles said. “By connecting our high school students directly to Miami’s programs, we’re building bridges that make careers accessible and rewarding.”
Students at Butler Tech who maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher are guaranteed admission into one of the Miami teacher education pathways: enrolling directly at the Oxford campus; beginning at the Hamilton Regional campus and later transitioning to Oxford; completing the degree fully at the Hamilton campus in the Regional Primary Education Cohort; or pursuing the Prekindergarten Education program online.
“These types of collaborations help employers by creating a pipeline of highly qualified students who will enter fields experiencing high demand and staffing shortages,” said Moira Casey, interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Applied Science. “The benefit to students is that they will have shorter, less expensive pathways to graduation and successful career placement upon completion. We at Miami are excited to be able to facilitate these types of mutual benefits.”
Most students who pursue one of the bachelor degree pathways are anticipated to complete their time at Miami in three years, Noltemeyer said.
Initial discussions for the initiative began in March. Noltemeyer hopes it will serve as a model for future teacher pathway collaborations with substantial college credits being earned while at Butler Tech, the commitment of both faculty and staff, and meaningful field experiences.
“I believe these elements will create a robust and supportive pathway into the teaching profession,” Noltemeyer said.
Butler Tech students will begin their teacher education pathway in high school, earning college credit to continue seamlessly into Miami’s teacher preparation program, an aligned effort by both institutions. The Butler Tech to Miami Pathway Addendum for Teacher Education Programs begins in the 2026-2027 academic year.
“The future of education depends on how we prepare the next generation of teachers,” said William Sprankles, Butler Tech superintendent. “By partnering with Miami University, Butler Tech is helping to build a stronger, more sustainable educator workforce for our region. This pathway not only benefits students but also supports schools, families, and communities by ensuring that classrooms are filled with passionate, well-prepared teachers.”
Amity Noltemeyer, dean of Miami’s College of Education, Health, and Society (EHS), said early introduction to college-level education courses and K-12 field experiences will prepare students for success as they transition into a university-level educator preparation program.
“This initiative offers several key benefits for EHS and Miami University,” Noltemeyer said. “It strengthens the educator pipeline by identifying and supporting future teachers early in their academic path — an important step given current and projected teacher shortages.”
Noltemeyer also stressed the initiative will increase access by lowering the overall time and cost to earn a teaching degree. It also builds on strong existing institutional partnerships.
“Ultimately, initiatives like this help us recruit engaged and well-prepared students, support the regional education workforce, and offer a forward-thinking response to the teacher shortage,” Noltemeyer said.
Recruitment for the first student cohort begins this fall. The inaugural group of students will begin the program as 10th graders at Butler Tech in August 2026.
After starting the pathway at Butler Tech, students can continue their education at Miami in a way that best fits their goals. Depending on their specific education major, they’ll have the option to study at the Hamilton Regional campus; transition to the Oxford campus; or complete certain degrees fully at Hamilton or online. Each option leads to a degree in education and a clear path to becoming a licensed teacher.
Miami Regionals and Butler Tech announced last fall a similar partnership for a 1+3 Nursing Model, which allows Butler Tech students to complete their first year of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing while still in high school.
“These pathways show Butler Tech's commitment to preparing students early for meaningful careers,” Sprankles said. “By connecting our high school students directly to Miami’s programs, we’re building bridges that make careers accessible and rewarding.”
Students at Butler Tech who maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher are guaranteed admission into one of the Miami teacher education pathways: enrolling directly at the Oxford campus; beginning at the Hamilton Regional campus and later transitioning to Oxford; completing the degree fully at the Hamilton campus in the Regional Primary Education Cohort; or pursuing the Prekindergarten Education program online.
“These types of collaborations help employers by creating a pipeline of highly qualified students who will enter fields experiencing high demand and staffing shortages,” said Moira Casey, interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Applied Science. “The benefit to students is that they will have shorter, less expensive pathways to graduation and successful career placement upon completion. We at Miami are excited to be able to facilitate these types of mutual benefits.”
Most students who pursue one of the bachelor degree pathways are anticipated to complete their time at Miami in three years, Noltemeyer said.
Initial discussions for the initiative began in March. Noltemeyer hopes it will serve as a model for future teacher pathway collaborations with substantial college credits being earned while at Butler Tech, the commitment of both faculty and staff, and meaningful field experiences.
“I believe these elements will create a robust and supportive pathway into the teaching profession,” Noltemeyer said.
Established in 1809, Miami University is located in Oxford, Ohio, with regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester, and a European study center in Luxembourg. Interested in learning more about the College of Education, Health, and Society? Visit the website for more information.
