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Teacher Leader (Grades P-12) (EdS)

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Degree Type:
Graduate
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Impact Students and Faculty with a Teacher Leader - Education Specialist

Are you an educator who wants to hone your craft and lead within the educational community? Troy University's Educational Specialist - Teacher Leader program can advance your skills and expertise in education, paving the way for you to improve instruction and academic achievement within schools. Whether you want to serve as an instructional coach, lead within a department or spearhead new educational initiatives, TROY's teacher leadership program will position you to achieve your goal.

Hawkins Hall on TROY's Campus.
“I highly recommend TROY'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 | Director, Cary Center Collegiate and Community Programs, Auburn University | 2018 graduate, Ed.S. Teacher Leader

Gain a Deeper Understanding of Teacher Leadership

In TROY's teacher leader program, you'll expand on your existing knowledge and skills and learn how to apply them outside the classroom. Our program will help you learn how to facilitate collective learning with other faculty and schools, strengthen your school's academic achievement, and support the professional development of instructional and administrative personnel. This expertise helps strengthen the impact you can make in your school, allowing you to support the academic growth of all students.

Develop Teacher Leadership Skills You Can Apply Immediately

From staff development to instructional technologies, you'll learn skills you can immediately apply to your classroom and school. The Ed.S. degree curriculum prioritizes both theory and practice, encompassing such topics as adult learning, diversity, communication, research strategies, collaboration with stakeholders and more. Our courses address real-life scenarios and offer numerous opportunities to put what you've learned into practice so you can make immediate changes in your school.
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Teacher Leadership Program Curriculum

While specific courses may vary from year to year, coursework for the Ed.S. degree in teacher leadership can include:
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Teacher Leadership Program Locations

Get the flexibility you need by earning your Ed.S. degree online. For more information about program availability and delivery options, call 1-800-414-5756

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TROY's Ed.S. Degree Prepares You to Lead in Numerous Settings

Effective leadership in teaching requires several skills and an advanced understanding of pedagogy, instructional technology and ways to create engaging learning environments. TROY's teacher leader program equips you with the pedagogical expertise and broad skill set you need to lead in a variety of situations. Serve on a task force dedicated to solving a problem in your school. Mentor fellow educators. Shape new curricula and educational programs. Train new faculty and staff. Regardless of the context, the leadership skills you'll gain at TROY will help you contribute to educational change and, ultimately, make a difference in students' lives.
TROY alumni helping a student in a classroom.

Teacher Leadership Jobs

Educational specialist jobs in teacher leadership can include department- or grade-level positions, curriculum development, research roles and more.

Faculty Profiles

Dr. Tonya Conner

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. Lisa Etheridge

Dr. Lisa Etheridge is an Associate Professor in elementary education and serves as program coordinator for the education specialist programs in TROY's Department of Teacher Education. Her research interests include co-teaching, teacher leadership, mentoring and instructional coaching.
Learn more about our faculty 334-241-9593 letheridge@troy.edu

Related Programs

Instructional Leadership and Administration (Reduced Hour Option)Global Leadership Ph.D.

FAQ About the Ed.S. in Teacher Leadership Program

Learn more about leadership in teaching and our program.
What is teacher leadership?
Teacher leadership refers to roles educators take on beyond the classroom to improve academic instruction and student outcomes. Teacher leaders use collaboration and mentorship to help other educators develop professionally, enhance their teaching abilities and innovate within their classrooms. Examples of teacher leadership include instructional coaching, curriculum development, research and data analysis, teacher-led initiatives or departmental/grade-level leadership.
What can you do with an education specialist degree?
An Ed.S. degree in teacher leadership empowers you to create change at every level of your school, from your classroom to your department to the overall institution. An education specialist degree of this type can qualify you for roles as a lead teacher, grade-level chair, departmental chair, school leadership team member, instructional coach, educational program director or curriculum specialist. You'll also be able to serve on task forces, conduct research around challenges specific to your school and help deliver professional development activities.
What are the admissions requirements for the teacher leadership program?

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)

You will also need to 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. Illustrate this 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
How long does the Ed.S. degree take to complete?
While the time to degree varies for every student, the Ed.S. degree can be completed in one year.
Is the teacher leadership program fully online?
Yes, you can complete the teacher leadership program fully online.

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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.

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