Teacher Leader Program | Teacher Certificates

TROY's Teacher Leader – Education Specialist Program

Do you want to be a leader in your school but you do not desire administrative duties? If so, Teacher Leader is the pathway for you. TROY’s Teacher Leader - Education Specialist program focuses on curriculum, mentorship, professional development, parent involvement, instructional coaching and effective collaboration — all with the goal of student achievement.

“I highly recommend Troy University’s Teacher Leader program. It challenged me and helped me grow into the educator I am today. It gave me the knowledge and confidence to step into leadership roles and make a difference in my school and in the lives of all the students we serve. The online program is flexible and allows you to continue teaching. The Teacher Leader program inspired me to get my doctorate in educational leadership so I can continue to make a difference in education today. ”

Dr. Brittany Spillman | 2018 graduate, Ed.S. Teacher Leader

Gain a Deeper Understanding of Teacher Leadership

The goal of the Ed.S. Teacher Leader program is to strengthen and extend the practicing teacher’s knowledge and skills so that the program graduate will be able to:

Demonstrate the ability to facilitate the improvement of academic achievement for all students within a school setting;
Support the development of and improve the practice of shared leadership among instructional and administrative personnel;
Demonstrate the ability to facilitate collective learning with faculties and schools as a whole.

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Why Choose TROY's Education Specialist Program?

The Teacher Leadership program is designed for certified teachers who are seeking advanced certification (Class AA) and an educational specialist degree. The program is open to teachers in grades P-12 and all subject areas. Troy University serves a very diverse candidate population with one curriculum cooperatively developed with the University’s P-12 partners and faculty. It is possible to complete the program in one year, and we offer the Teacher Leader program online.

Strategies for teacher leadership are provided in this Teacher Leader Toolkit 2.0, developed by the Center of Great Teachers and Leaders at the American Institute for Research.

Teacher Leader Program Locations

TROY's Teacher Leader program is offered in a blended format on the Dothan and Phenix City Campuses.This format combines both online and face-to-face courses. For more information about program availability and delivery options, call 1-800-414-5756

TROY Online

Other Options

Admission Requirements

In addition to the admission requirements for the Graduate Teacher Education Program, candidates seeking admission to the Ed.S. Teacher Leader program must:

Hold a master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university;
Hold a Class A master’s Professional Educator Certificate in any teaching field or area of instructional support;*
Have a minimum of three full years of full-time teaching experience in a P-12 setting; demonstrated by providing a supplemental EXP form from each district of employment;
Provide a portfolio containing the following items:
- Three professional letters of recommendation signed and on letterhead (One must be from the principal and/or immediate supervisor.)
- A current resume or vita
- Evidence of ability to positively affect student achievement and evidence of collaborative leadership potential by addressing the following areas in narrative form.
  - Personal philosophy and/or theory of teaching and learning
  - Self-evaluation of your strengths and weaknesses and a plan to address your weaknesses
  - Personal professional goals
  - Statements of purpose for pursuing the Ed.S.
  - Evidence of leadership ability/list of any honors, awards, committee or team service
Successful completion of a criminal background check

TROY alumni helping a student in a classroom.

What Can You Do With This Teaching Certification?

With this degree in teacher leadership, you will bring valuable new skills to your school and be prepared to:

Serve as an instructional coach
Serve on committees, task forces and other teams
Serve as a department or grade-level chair
Serve on school leadership teams
Develop curriculum
Develop/deliver professional development activities
Develop school improvement initiatives
Help improve schools by collecting and analyzing assessment data
Mentor new teachers
Train faculty and staff

Faculty Profiles

Dr. Tonya Conner

Dr. Conner serves as the Interim Department Chair for the Department of Leadership Development and Professional Studies.

Learn more about our faculty 334-983-6556, 21350 tconner@troy.edu

Dr. Lisa Etheridge

Dr. Etheridge is an Associate Professor in the Department of Teacher Education.

Learn more about our faculty 334-241-9593 letheridge@troy.edu

News

Those in teacher leadership are uniquely positioned to work in the areas of educational advancement they’re most interested in without having to make an either/or choice between being a classroom teacher or a full-time administrator. As teacher leaders, they can essentially have a foot in both worlds.

Teacher Leadership: Why It’s More Important Than Ever

Talk to almost anyone who teaches students in Pre-K through 12th grade and you’ll hear a common theme: Year after year, teaching is becoming increasingly challenging. The reasons for this vary and include everything from teaching shortages to increasing class sizes to lack of funding to differences in student learning styles.

Teacher Leader - Education Specialist

Program Info

TROY's Teacher Leader – Education Specialist Program

Gain a Deeper Understanding of Teacher Leadership

Why Choose TROY's Education Specialist Program?