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Appendix H
Master of Education in Teacher Leadership Approved for the State of Illinois Teacher Leader Endorsement Jeanne White, Director 37 semester hours
T
his master’s program is designed for experienced teachers from the prekindergarten to the high school levels with professional educator licenses in early childhood, elementary, secondary, middle school, special education, and K-12 specialty areas. The program’s purpose is to advance classroom teachers’ knowledge, skills and thinking in ways that will enhance their practice and enable them to become change agents and leaders within their school communities and the profession. Teachers are engaged as critical thinkers in studying the current issues and practices in the field of education as they apply best practices and develop innovative projects for their classrooms and school communities. Program courses are constantly updated and differentiated to meet the needs of the teachers through focused projects and interdisciplinary study.
Learning Goals
Program students will: • Acquire skills for promoting professional development, group facilitation and collaboration with various constituencies • Participate through critical inquiry in the evaluation of best practices • Develop self-reflective and critical thinking skills required to improve student learning and achievement • Explore social justice issues and promote thinking from diverse perspectives • Develop strong partnerships in interactive classes with faculty and fellow teachers • Expand your professional horizons, without moving out of the classroom • Master the knowledge and skills needed to serve as a teacher leader, developing
the foundation to become a catalyst for change, in the classroom and beyond, such as: o Curriculum Specialist o Instructional Coach o Mentor Teacher o Department Chair, Team Leader, or Lead Teacher o Content Specialist o Program Leader o Supervisor 1 Earn the new Teacher Leader Endorsement on an Illinois Professional Educator License (after July 1, 2013), which is part of a new set of endorsements for school leadership: Teacher Leader, Principal, and Superintendent.
Program Format
Courses are offered in the evening from 6:008:30 p.m. during the Fall and Spring terms, and in six-, four- and three-week formats during the summer from mid June through July. All courses are offered in a hybrid format meeting alternately on campus and online. Graduate students may enroll in one, two, or three classes at a time to complete the 37hour program in 18 months of full-time study or take up to four years to finish. Graduate students may also include additional endorsements (e.g., ESL) or approvals (e.g., Middle Level Education) into their program of study. Transfer credit may be used for up to two elective course requirements. The maximum transfer credit of six semester hours is not automatic and accepted courses must receive written approval prior to the graduate student beginning the program. No transfer courses will be accepted once a graduate student has begun the program. Graduate students complete a capstone seminar in the final Fall or Spring Term prior to graduation. During this seminar, graduate 1 Provided that a supervisory endorsement is not required pursuant to 23 Ill. Adm. Code 1.705 (Requirements for Supervisory and Administrative Staff) for the position to which the teacher leader is assigned.