Teacher Leader M.S.Ed.
CIP: 130404
Teacher Leader in Preparation for National Teacher Board Certification
The M.S.Ed. Teacher Leader degree is designed for experienced teachers who hold a current teaching certificate, and wish to earn a Master’s degree while simultaneously working on the components for National Board Certification in a specific certification area. These individuals desire to become more involved in instructional and curricular leadership within their school and district, but do not want to become a building or district administrator. The program is designed to prepare teachers to successfully apply for National Board Certification; and to meet Missouri criteria for the “High-Quality Career Certificate” to be exempt from “Required Professional Development for Educators.” It consists of 34 hours of graduate credit; the coursework is divided into three phases, 1) Architecture of Accomplished Teaching; 2) Theory and Practice of Accomplished Teaching; and, 3) Analysis of and Reflection on Accomplished Teaching. Teacher leaders remain in the classroom or become academic coaches and influence others to enhance teaching and learning, which will result in student success, and school and district improvement. The program’s portfolio component will mirror National Board Certification criteria and requirements. The Teacher Leader Program is delivered through cohort groups.
Program Admission Requirements
- All candidates entering the Teacher Leader Program will have three years of teaching experience prior to entering the program. Candidates MUST have completed three years of teaching prior to applying for the National Board Certification process.
- All students who enter the Teacher Leader Program must submit a writing sample answering a prompt prior to beginning coursework. It is expected the candidate score a 3.5 or above on a 5.0 rubric on the writing sample. The written sample is designed to ensure the candidate will perform successfully on the written components for National Board Certification and the portfolio required for graduation from the Teacher Leader Program.
- A minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 on the undergraduate transcript.
- A minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 on any graduate work completed prior to entry into the Teacher Leader Program.
- Current and valid teaching certificate on file.
- Official copies of all transcripts from undergraduate and graduate coursework at previously attended institutions. (Undergraduates of Northwest Missouri State University do not need to submit Northwest transcripts.)
- One letter of reference from a school administrator who can write about the candidate's potential to become a teacher leader.
Requirements
Course Requirements
| EDUC 61602 | Role and Practice of a Teacher Leader | 3 |
| EDUC 61603 | The School Community: Examining Diversity and Bias | 2 |
| EDUC 61604 | Teacher Leader Action Research | 2 |
| EDUC 61605 | Differentiation through Instructional Strategies | 3 |
| EDUC 61618 | Educational Theory Applied to Practice | 3 |
| EDUC 61619 | Content Knowledge: Competency through Assessment Resources | 2 |
| EDUC 61620 | Assessment and Data-Driven Decision Making | 3 |
| EDUC 61621 | Effective Teaching Practice | 2 |
| EDUC 61661 | Technology & Instruction | 3 |
| EDUC 61662 | Effective and Reflective Practitioner | 2 |
| EDUC 61663 | Partnering with Communities and Families | 3 |
| EDUC 61664 | Retrospective and Accomplished Teaching | 2 |
| Advisor approved electives | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 33 |
Elective-choose one advisor-approved elective from the list below:
Exit requirements for the M.S.Ed. Teacher Leader Program include completion and submission of the National Board Certification components to the National Board of Professional Teacher Standards at points during course completion and prior to graduation. Successful completion of an oral presentation and defense at the end of the coursework is required. The presentation must focus on each of the four components required for completion of the National Board Certification process. The defense will be before a panel of at least two individuals. Completing this degree will not result in receiving additional certification, but does earn an advanced degree.