October 01, 2026
Trine University’s Franks School of Education (FSOE) has continued its streak of perfect employment, with a record number of graduates in the Class of 2026 securing a teaching job or attending graduate school.
The FSOE has seen all its graduates with a teaching degree who sought a teaching job employed or continuing education for 15 straight years.
“Graduates from Trine University’s Franks School of Education are prepared to immediately make an impact in the classroom by gaining exposure to the latest technology and teaching strategies and completing hundreds of observation and teaching hours in the process of earning their degree,” said Alecia Pfefferkorn, dean of the Franks School of Education.
“Our continued 100% placement rate reflects on the quality of our graduates and our curriculum. Even with a record number looking for teaching positions, all our Trine graduates were employed by the start of the school year.”
The school graduated 43 with teaching degrees in the Class of 2026. Graduates are teaching in schools throughout Indiana, Michigan and Ohio, as well as at schools in Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin.
Northeast Indiana schools employing Trine teaching graduates include DeKalb Middle School, Franke Park Elementary School, Fremont Middle School, Hendry Park Elementary School, Huntington North Middle School, Lakeland Intermediate School, McKenney Harrison Elementary School, Prairie Heights Middle School, Prairie Heights High School and J.R. Watson Elementary School.
Two members of the Class of 2026 are attending graduate school, with one of those also coaching collegiate volleyball.
Trine University student Julia Benham participated in a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) this summer, gaining hands-on research experience at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Trine University’s Brooks College of Health Professions will host a special event highlighting careers and education in occupational therapy from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20.
Trine University student Claire Schmaltz spent her summer applying her environmental science and biology studies as an ecological crew member with Battelle Energy Alliance at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in Idaho Falls, Idaho.