Certified Instructional Leader Recipients

Certified Instructional Leader Credentials Awarded

In 2013, the CLAS Board of Directors established the Certified Instructional Leader (CIL) program. This program is designed to identify school or district administrators who demonstrate the knowledge and skills which are essential to the practice of effective instructional leadership.

For the eleventh year of this program, 15 participants were selected after an extensive application and review process. The 2024-2025 cohort began in June 2024 with quarterly face-toface meetings. Candidates were required to implement learned content in their school and/or district and meet benchmarks on student growth and achievement, school culture, strategic management, effective instructional practices, and ethical leadership.

A CIL Commission was established to be an independent certifying body, which is responsible for the governance of the program, policies, and standards related to the CIL credential. This unique CIL program is administered by members of the CLAS staff who implement the policies. The CIL faculty delivers the identified content.

After completing extensive coursework and providing evidence of systemic, systemized, job-embedded implementation for competent instructional leadership, CIL participants met with the CIL Commission to determine their CIL credential status as “Accepted” or “Not Accepted: Revisions Needed.”

Ramona Robinson and Dr. Linda Felton-Smith served as faculty members. The 2024-2025 CIL Commission members were Daniel Barrentine, Veronica Coleman, Charles Gardner, Jason Golden, Erik Kirkman, April McCutcheon, Orletta Rush, and Alice Turney.

If you are interested in pursuing the Certified Instructional Leader (CIL) credential, please visit the CIL webpage at clasleaders.org/CIL for detailed information. The application process will open in April 2026 for the 2026-2027 cohort.

The Certified Instructional Leader credentials are awarded annually during the Awards Luncheon at the CLAS Convention.The following individuals received their Certified Instructional Leader credential this year:

Jennifer Colvard-Davis, Florence Freshman Center, Florence City

Demond Garth, Austin High, Decatur City

Lisa Harris, Beauregard Elementary, Lee County

Loni Hodge, Grantswood Community Elementary, Jefferson County

Matt Humphrey, Dale County High, Dale County

Teresha Jones, Central High, Tuscaloosa City

Mallory Kincaid, R.E. Thompson Intermediate, Tuscumbia City

Lori Moss, Highland Elementary, Etowah County

Tiffany Parham, Southlawn Middle, Montgomery County

Jami Rainey, Northridge Middle, Tuscaloosa City

Ross Reed, Auburn Junior High, Auburn City

Keith Trawick, Monrovia Middle, Madison County

Clay Webber, Asbury High, Marshall County

CIL Recipients