Program Overview
This program will prepare competent and effective teacher leaders, who in turn can lead successful reform in the schools they work in, consistent with the Warner School’s mission of promoting excellence in K-12 schools.
This Advanced Certificate program does not lead to licensure or prepare students for the practice of any profession in NYS.
- Advanced Certificate in Teacher Leadership (LT1) (12 credits)
- A bachelor’s degree.
- Collaborative: This is a cross-discipline certificate through the Center for Professional Development and Education Reform, Teaching and Curriculum, and Educational Leadership at the Warner Graduate School.
- Flexible: This may be taken as a stand-alone program or be built into a degree program with minimal extra credits, expanding your area of expertise. Start the program any semester and go at your own pace.
- Supportive: Through working with experienced teachers and leaders in the field of education, students will develop a network of support for their ongoing work.
There are many different designations for individuals in a teacher leader role and just as many, if not more, “definitions” of what they do. This title is used to identify teachers who unofficially engage in a leadership role in activities that promote change as well as those who have leadership positions for which administrative certification is not required. It could also include teachers who are released from teaching duties to carry out specific instructional support programs, and full-time classroom teachers who have the additional responsibility of supporting their colleagues, leading department or grade-level teams and/or fostering reform. They may be referred to as mentor teachers, specialists, resource teachers, demonstration teachers, model teachers, coaches, peer teachers, master teachers or teachers on special assignment. As noted by NYSUT, “regardless of the roles they assume, teacher leaders shape the culture of their schools, improve student learning, and influence practice among their peers.” This program will support Teacher Leaders to effectively engage in this work.
Who may be interested in earning this advanced certificate in Teacher Leadership?
- Experienced PK-12 teachers interested in furthering their leadership skills but not necessarily toward administrative certification.
- Initially certified teachers seeking NYS Professional Teaching Certification through one of Warner master’s programs.
- Master's students in Administration.
- Teaching & Curriculum and Leadership EdD candidates who want to add the certificate to their program.
- K-12 CAS candidates who want to add a specific course or courses to their program.
- Practicing teachers in school districts who wish to increase the capacity of existing personnel.
Yes, any student, in consultation with their advisor, can choose to add this certificate to their program.
Does an advanced certificate provide a certification or license?
This advanced certificate program does not lead to licensure or teacher certification.
Can the credits be transferred into a degree program?
Individuals who complete this Advanced Certificate and later decide to pursue K-12 administrative certification can apply up to 6 credits from this program to the SBL and/or SDL certification programs at Warner. In addition, some courses can be used as electives in existing programs such as part of the EdD program in Teaching & Curriculum or K-12 Educational Administration.
I’ve already taken some of the required courses. Can I transfer these courses into the program?
It is possible that courses already taken in the program may be retroactively applied to the advanced certificate. Some restrictions apply so individuals should speak with the program director.
Faculty
An Accessible, Supportive Faculty of Researchers and Accomplished Practitioners.
Cindy CallardProgram Director and Advisor
Professor, Warner School of Education
LeChase Hall 347
(585) 355-2088
ccallard@warner.rochester.edu
Other Core Program Faculty
Scholarships
Making it Affordable to Make Warner Possible.
Many of our students benefit from merit-based scholarships that significantly decrease tuition costs.
Contact admissions for more information about merit-based scholarships.
Are You a UR Employee? Inquire about your tuition benefits. If eligible, up to 95% of your tuition costs can be covered depending on your position. Contact the UR benefits office at benefitoffice@rochester.edu.
Testimonials
Meliora means 'Ever Better.' To our graduates, it means making a world of difference.
"The days of top down leadership are over. The highest performing schools with the healthiest cultures are those that embrace shared leadership. By empowering teacher leaders, schools can better hope to improve outcomes for students in a world that requires teamwork and collaboration." Matthew Frahm, Superintendent, Naples Central School District
"Expanding teacher leadership opportunities has been a sleeping giant in our district. With the support of the Warner School, our teachers have been accepted as leaders among their peers and the old norms of teachers working in isolation have been replaced with new norms of collaboration and teamwork. Our teacher leaders provide hands-on, day to day coaching and inspiration so our classroom teachers can more successfully do what they came to do: make a real difference in their students' lives." Kristin Swann, Associate Superintendent of Educational Services, Victor Central Schools
"Teacher Leaders are a critical aspect of implementing successful change. When I started in my position as a teacher leader, I had no idea what to do or how to do. I wanted to affect change for students and teachers in my building beyond just my own work in my own classroom, but I was lacking the tools to do so. Taking leadership classes at the Warner School helped me to develop my own sense of what it means to be a teacher leader and gave me ideas and tools to actually do it." Michaela Marino, Mathematics Teacher Leader, East Lower School
"Our students need talented teachers to continue teaching, but we also want to empower these same teachers to lead others. Through my work with the Warner School, I saw firsthand the impact that teacher leadership had on students and the improvement of instruction. Teacher leaders are no doubt the catalyst for change!" Heidi Robb, Assistant Principal, Canandaigua Primary-Elementary School
“Teacher leaders are the heart and soul of your organization. They are your boots on the ground that carry instructional leadership throughout your schools. They are the force that moves the needle of performance.” Terri Bavis, Superintendent, Waterloo Central School District
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