Teacher Leadership Program

Download Teacher Leadership flyer here.

This Teacher Leadership Program is approved by the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) to recommend Teacher Leader Endorsement to existing educator certificate and rank change after completion of the 30-credit graduate-degree program. The program is designed to provide practicing teachers with specialized leadership development they can use in their classrooms and as leaders in schools, districts, and the wider context of education.

The Teacher Leadership Program provides personalized leadership development for individuals balanced with peer networking and collegial support through participation in a learning cohort. The program helps teachers perform more effectively in both formal and informal roles such as

  • Change agent
  • Classroom supporter
  • Curriculum specialist
  • Data coach
  • Department chair or team leader
  • Instructional coach
  • Peer mentor
  • Resource provider
  • School leader

Future Career Options

Curricular content and fieldwork in the Teacher Leadership Program also provides program graduates with requisite knowledge and skills for those later seeking admission to principal preparation programs and doctoral programs.

Teacher-Leader Endorsement

Teacher-Leader Endorsement requires completion of the five Teacher Leader Endorsement core courses listed below (15 credits), successful defense of capstone project, and graduate degree. Core courses include

  • ELS 600, Leadership for Learning-Centered Schools (3)
  • ELS 604, Leadership in Professional Learning Communities (3)
  • ELS 620, Leading Action Research for School Renewal I (3)
  • ELS 621, Leading Action Research for School Renewal II (3)
  • ELS 624, Leadership for Monitoring Learning: Practicum (3)

Degree Program Options (30 credits)

The degree programs require completion of the five Teacher Leader Endorsement core courses (15 credits) and five approved electives (15 credits), submission of acceptable e-portfolio, and successful defense of capstone project. Degree options include

  • Master of Education (MEd) → Rank 2
  • Specialist in Education (EdS) → Rank 1

Planned Electives (15 credits)

With guidance from the Teacher Leadership Program Chair or Director of Graduate Studies, each candidate will carefully select electives to address specific needs identified in her or his professional growth plan—thus personalizing the program for each participant. Below are three program-related electives currently available. A candidate may select from these program electives and other courses inside or outside the Department of Educational Leadership Studies, or a candidate may select five courses that collectively create a specialization area.

• ELS 608, School Law and Governance for Teachers (3)
• ELS 612, Leadership for Technology and Innovation (3)
• ELS 616, Leadership for School as Inclusive Community (3)

Program Admission

Graduates of this Teacher Leadership Program are expected to engage actively in instructional leadership through both formal and informal teacher-leader roles in their schools, districts, and the broader education system. Thus, applicants must be experienced P12 teachers or other educational practitioners who meet the following requirements:

  • Achieved a cumulative 3.0 or higher GPA on all previous postsecondary coursework
  • Hold valid P12 teacher certification
  • Demonstrate the attributes of a highly effective teacher
  • Are recommended by supervisor or principal who attests to applicant’s success as a classroom teacher and as potential teacher leader
  • Aspire to serve as teacher leaders in schools, districts, and other settings

Application Documents

A complete application file to the Teacher Leadership Program includes the following documents that you, the applicant, are responsible for submitting. Your application file will not be reviewed until all information has been received.

1. UK Application for Admission

2.  Official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions that you attended.

3.  Professional Resume (limited to 2 pages) that provides your name and contact information as well as postsecondary education (all degrees, years awarded, institution names, emphasis area), work experiences, education certifications, professional memberships.

4.  Copy of valid P12 teacher certification

5.  A Personal Statement in the form of a Professional Essay (3-5 double-spaced pages, word-processed in either Times New Roman 12-point or Ariel 10-point, page numbers and your name in upper right corner). If you cite literature/resources to support your comments, adhere to the academic writing guidelines provided in 6th edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.

  • Part I: Provide background about your experiences as an educational leader and share how these experiences have prompted you to enroll in a graduate program in educational leadership studies. Share your career aspirations and explain how completing an EDL program will assist you in achieving your professional goals.
  • Part II: Articulate your beliefs, perceptions, and reflections about each of the following four themes related to effective educational leadership: (a) a vision of success, (b) a focus on learning and teaching, (c) an engagement of all stakeholders, and (d) a demonstration of ethical practice.

6.  Writing Sample in the form of a Professional Reflection (3-5 double-spaced pages, word-processed in either Times New Roman 12-point or Ariel 10-point, page numbers and your name in upper right corner). Describe how your classroom evidences the components of highly effective teaching and learning (i.e., learning climate, classroom assessment and reflection, instructional rigor and student engagement, instructional relevance, knowledge of content). If you cite literature or resources to support your comments, then you must adhere to the academic writing guidelines provided in 6th edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.

7.  Four references including one by your principal or department chair.

Delivery Options

The Teacher Leadership Program is designed to engage candidates not only as individuals with personalized professional goals, but also as members of working educational communities at the school and district levels and as lead teachers among their colleagues. Due to the diversity of program electives selected by candidates to meet their unique professional development needs, the program has two delivery options:

  • Blended learning (face-to-face and online) for individualized course electives
  • Online with planned electives in School Technology Leadership only 

For More Information, Please Contact

Dr. Tricia Browne-Ferrigno
tricia.ferrigno@uky.edu
859-257-5504