CECI BCPS Partnership for Educational Transformation

Supporting Battle Creek Students and Teachers

GVSU’s College of Education and Community Innovation has a long-standing partnership with Battle Creek Public Schools. Since 2019, through teacher preparation programs and community partnerships made possible by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, we are helping new teachers thrive in the district and BCPS graduates succeed in college.

Battle Creek Scholars

Fall 2025 Bearcat Scholar Students and Staff

Since 2020, 76 graduates from Battle Creek Central High School have received scholarships to attend GVSU via the Pipeline and Bearcat Advantage programs.

As part of the Battle Creek Scholars program, they receive individualized personal, academic, and career support from BC Scholar advisors, participate in a variety of programming, and enjoy an on-campus Battle Creek community.

Read the latest BC Scholars Newsletter!

Early Career Teacher Mentoring

for First Year Teachers

Devan Washington and students in his BCPS classroom

The first years of teaching are often filled with challenges, and most early career teachers (ECTs) face those challenges in relative isolation. The primary purpose of the Early Career Teacher Mentoring Program is to provide personalized, non-evaluative support to ECTs in Battle Creek Public Schools to encourage them throughout their critical first year of teaching.

Within the Mentoring Program, teachers are matched with an experienced mentor who provides a range of services and supports designed to meet the individualized needs of each teacher. The mentoring is approached as a collaborative effort, with frequent and transparent communication throughout the academic year for personalized support.

Early Career Teacher Induction Program

For Teachers with 1-5 Years of Experience

A person in a blue polo shirt with "Fastenal" embroidered on it is seated at a desk, writing on paper while looking at a laptop.

Starting in Fall 2026, we are excited to offer a Tuition-Free Induction Program for a cohort of BCPS early career teachers. Over three semesters, teachers will earn 12 graduate credits that are essential to many Masters in Education programs. Course delivery will be a hybrid of classes in Battle Creek and online.

Early Career Teacher PLC

For Teachers in Their First through Third Years of Teaching

The Early Career Teacher Professional Learning Community provides the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue focused on the pragmatic experiences of early career teachers in an urban public school environment.

The PLC benefits Battle Creek Public School teachers who are in their 1st-3rd years of teaching and are interested in receiving GVSU and peer support. It also provides an opportunity for them to receive support in their instruction.