The Master’s in Teacher Leadership is designed to provide the essential tools teachers need to be knowledgeable, reflective, and ethical educators. This innovative program fosters leadership development through an interactive set of experiences that include sound theoretical and "best practice" knowledge, problem-based coursework and field-based experiences.
Program graduates are empowered to become teacher leaders who are committed to making schools culturally relevant, just, and supportive learning environments for all students.
PROGRAM FEATURES:
- 32 credits leading to a masters’ degree
- Two-year, cohort-based model
- Hybrid coursework consisting of Saturday classes plus online coursework
- Teacher-driven action research using data to improve student achievement
- The classroom as a learning laboratory
- Encouragement to try formal and informal leadership roles
- Emphasis on developing classroom expertise through the study of instruction and assessment, effective use of technology, cultural awareness and social justice.
CORE VALUES:
- Quality education and education leadership are central to promoting social justice and diversity central to ethical leadership;
- Excellent leadership development and preparation will nurture not only knowledge, but also critical reflection and professionally responsive behaviors;
- Collaboration and teamwork involving all members of the organization are essential to support quality schools;
- Action research and learning that is embedded in authentic school contexts, case-studies and problem based learning offers diverse opportunities to develop leadership skills and is central to the coursework; and
- Commitment to data collection and ongoing data analysis are essential to capturing what is known and needed to eradicate achievement gap chasms.
The knowledge, skills and dispositions we seek to develop in teacher leaders must reflect and sustain these core competencies. Our vision is to create a world-class teacher leadership program that transforms schools into successful and leaderful learning communities.
Applicants should have at least one year of teaching experience, plus ready access to a K-12 classroom. The application process includes submission of a goal statement, two letters of recommendation, official transcripts and a teaching certificate.
Program coursework is designed to foster leadership development through an interactive set of experiences that include sound theoretical and "best practice" knowledge, problem-based coursework, and field-based experiences.
Coursework for this 32-credit, cohort-based program includes:
EST 662: Reflective Practitioner - 4 credits
EST 663: Collaborative Inquiry - 2 credits
EST 664: Collaborative Practitioner - 4 credits
EST 665: Collaborative Inquiry II - 2 credits
EST 666: Inquiry to Practice I - 2 credits
EST 667: Applied Theory of Teacher Leadership I - 2 credits
EL 505: Organizational Change Agent - 4 credits
EL 506: Collaborative Inquiry III - 2 credits
EL 515: Teacher Leaders in the Education Profession - 4 credits
EL 516: Collaborative Inquiry IV - 2 credits
EL 525: Inquiry to Practice II - 2 credits
EL 535: Applied Theory of Teacher Leadership II - 2 credits