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 foreducation program:
(1) Enhance the stature of teachers and the teaching profession.
(2) Inspire and attract talented young people to becometeachers.
(3) Promote the teaching profession within community andbusiness groups.
(4) Support the activities of the Future Teachers of Americaclubs.
(5) Represent Indiana teachers at business, education, andteacher leadership conferences and meetings.
(6) Reward the teacher of the year for the teacher's outstandingcontributions to the teaching profession.
(7) Reward the teacher of the year for the teacher'scontributions 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 theambassador 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 schoolcorporation 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 toact 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 selectionas 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 ofcosts
Sec. 6. (a) The school where an ambassador is regularly employedshall do the following:
(1) Grant the ambassador a one (1) year professional leave toserve as ambassador during the ambassador's term.
(2) Allow the ambassador to return to the school from theprofessional leave:
(A) to the same or a comparable position as the ambassadorheld before the professional leave; and
(B) without loss of accrued benefits or seniority.
(3) Continue to provide the ambassador all benefits ofemployment with the school other than salary.
(b) The department shall reimburse a school for the cost ofbenefits 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) yearprofessional 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 professionalleave with the department, the following apply:
(1) The state coordinator of the ambassador for educationprogram, as designated by the state superintendent, shallestablish the ambassador's duties.
(2) The ambassador is entitled to receive from the departmentthe following:
(A) A salary in place of compensation from the school wherethe ambassador is regularly employed that equals the salarythat the ambassador, if not serving as ambassador, wouldreceive during the school year of the ambassador's term fromthe school where the ambassador is regularly employed.
(B) Actual expenses of the ambassador incurred as a resultof 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 professionalleave with an Indiana postsecondary educational institution, thefollowing apply: (1) The dean of the institution's school of education or theequivalent officer shall establish the ambassador's duties.
(2) The ambassador is entitled to receive from the institution theamount of compensation that the institution offers theambassador.
(3) The ambassador is entitled to receive from the departmentcompensation in an amount that when added to the amountprovided under subdivision (2) equals the salary that theambassador, if not serving as ambassador, would receive duringthe school year of the ambassador's term from the school wherethe 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 skillsand education background of the ambassador and reflect the goals ofthe ambassador for education program. However, duties may includethe following:
(1) Providing professional development seminars andworkshops in the subject matter areas in which the ambassadorhas expertise.
(2) Accompanying the state superintendent in the exercise ofthe state superintendent's duties throughout Indiana.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.