Welcome to APPLE!

Some journeys begin with a clear sense of direction. Others begin with the quiet conviction that God is calling you somewhere new, even if the path is not yet fully visible. If you are reading this, you may be at the beginning of one of those journeys.

The APPLE program at Martin Luther College exists for people like you. Whether you are a paraprofessional who has spent years serving in a WELS school and is ready to pursue your teaching license, someone making a career change in answer to a call you did not expect, or a prospective learner simply exploring what APPLE might mean for your future, this series of posts was written with you in mind.

We are writing these posts at a particularly meaningful moment as MLC welcomes its first APPLE cohort. This group of dedicated adult learners is beginning the journey you are considering, or one you are embarking upon yourself. Their presence in this program is a testament to the need for called workers in WELS elementary schools and to the courage it takes to answer that need.

What This Series Covers

The posts in this series are designed to give you an honest, warm, and practical picture of what life in APPLE looks like. Together, they address the questions prospective and incoming learners ask most often:

• What do I need to have in place before I begin?
• What does CBE coursework actually look like?
• How do I develop the mindset to succeed?
• How does my prior experience shape my learning?
• What support systems are available to me?
• How do I balance work, family, and coursework?
• How do I make the most of the feedback I receive?

Each post stands on its own, so you can read them in any order. But together they tell a complete story that begins with practical preparation and ends with the moment you step into your calling as a Christian educator.

A Program Built for Your Life

APPLE is not a traditional degree program, and it is not designed for traditional students. It is built for adults who are already living their vocations — in their schools, their congregations, and their homes — and who are ready to deepen their preparation for the calling they have already answered in so many ways.

The program is flexible, rigorous, and deeply rooted in the mission of MLC and the WELS. It asks a great deal of its learners. It also surrounds them with support, community, and the conviction that the work they do matters to them, their students, and the church and school where they serve.

If you are among the first cohort of APPLE learners, welcome! We look forward to supporting you on your journey.

If this sounds like the kind of program you have been looking for, we invite you to keep reading. And, when you are ready, we hope you will join us.