CHAPTER 4. AMBASSADOR FOR EDUCATION
IC 20-20-4
Chapter 4. Ambassador for Education
IC 20-20-4-1
Goals of ambassador
Sec. 1. The following are the goals of the ambassador for
education program:
(1) Enhance the stature of teachers and the teaching profession.
(2) Inspire and attract talented young people to become
teachers.
(3) Promote the teaching profession within community and
business groups.
(4) Support the activities of the Future Teachers of America
clubs.
(5) Represent Indiana teachers at business, education, and
teacher leadership conferences and meetings.
(6) Reward the teacher of the year for the teacher's outstanding
contributions to the teaching profession.
(7) Reward the teacher of the year for the teacher's
contributions to the teacher's classroom and school.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.
IC 20-20-4-2
"Ambassador"
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "ambassador" refers to the
ambassador for education established by section 4 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.
IC 20-20-4-3
"School"
Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "school" means a school
corporation or an accredited nonpublic school.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.
IC 20-20-4-4
Establishment of position
Sec. 4. The position of ambassador for education is established to
act as an education liaison to Indiana schools.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.
IC 20-20-4-5
Teacher of the year as ambassador
Sec. 5. A teacher in a school who:
(1) is selected by the state superintendent as teacher of the year;
and
(2) agrees to be ambassador;
is ambassador for a one (1) year term beginning July 1 after selection
as teacher of the year and ending the following June 30.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.
IC 20-20-4-6
Professional leave for service as ambassador; reimbursement of
costs
Sec. 6. (a) The school where an ambassador is regularly employed
shall do the following:
(1) Grant the ambassador a one (1) year professional leave to
serve as ambassador during the ambassador's term.
(2) Allow the ambassador to return to the school from the
professional leave:
(A) to the same or a comparable position as the ambassador
held before the professional leave; and
(B) without loss of accrued benefits or seniority.
(3) Continue to provide the ambassador all benefits of
employment with the school other than salary.
(b) The department shall reimburse a school for the cost of
benefits provided by the school to an ambassador under subsection
(a)(3).
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.
IC 20-20-4-7
Election regarding service of professional leave
Sec. 7. An ambassador may elect to serve the one (1) year
professional leave at:
(1) an Indiana postsecondary educational institution; or
(2) the department.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.2-2007, SEC.201.
IC 20-20-4-8
Service with department
Sec. 8. If an ambassador elects to serve a one (1) year professional
leave with the department, the following apply:
(1) The state coordinator of the ambassador for education
program, as designated by the state superintendent, shall
establish the ambassador's duties.
(2) The ambassador is entitled to receive from the department
the following:
(A) A salary in place of compensation from the school where
the ambassador is regularly employed that equals the salary
that the ambassador, if not serving as ambassador, would
receive during the school year of the ambassador's term from
the school where the ambassador is regularly employed.
(B) Actual expenses of the ambassador incurred as a result
of the performance of duties under this chapter.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.
IC 20-20-4-9
Service with postsecondary educational institution
Sec. 9. If an ambassador elects to serve a one (1) year professional
leave with an Indiana postsecondary educational institution, the
following apply:
(1) The dean of the institution's school of education or the
equivalent officer shall establish the ambassador's duties.
(2) The ambassador is entitled to receive from the institution the
amount of compensation that the institution offers the
ambassador.
(3) The ambassador is entitled to receive from the department
compensation in an amount that when added to the amount
provided under subdivision (2) equals the salary that the
ambassador, if not serving as ambassador, would receive during
the school year of the ambassador's term from the school where
the ambassador is regularly employed.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.2-2007, SEC.202.
IC 20-20-4-10
Ambassador's duties
Sec. 10. The ambassador's duties must match the relative skills
and education background of the ambassador and reflect the goals of
the ambassador for education program. However, duties may include
the following:
(1) Providing professional development seminars and
workshops in the subject matter areas in which the ambassador
has expertise.
(2) Accompanying the state superintendent in the exercise of
the state superintendent's duties throughout Indiana.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.