Teacher Leadership for School Improvement Program Highlights

Program Highlights

Engaging in our award-winning, job-embedded coursework will transform your professional practice. With a focus on practitioner research and real-world leadership, our programs are designed to equip educators with the expertise and advocacy skills needed to thrive in today’s evolving school communities.

Recognition

With research-backed curriculum development and passionate educators who are preeminent in their fields, online students get access to the best resources for becoming future leaders. Read more about previous awards and recognition below.

2023

Leading the nation for eight years and setting the standard for online education, our momentum continues to grow by working together to push the boundaries of teaching and learning.
Learn more about our No. 1 U.S. News ranking

2019

The UF College of Education reclaims the No. 1 spot for online graduate education degree programs.
Learn more about the U.S. News ranking

2018

The UF College of Education remains a leader in online education tied for the No. 2 spot nationally.
Learn more about the U.S. News & World Report ranking

2017

The College of Education at the University of Florida repeats No. 1 ranking in online graduate education degree program from U.S. News & World Report.
Learn more about making the program America’s best

2016

Ranked the best online education graduate programs in the nation (#1 tie) by U.S. News & World Report.
Learn more about the college’s number one ranking

2013

Ranked one of the best online education graduate programs in the nation (#18) by US News & World Report.
U.S. News ranks college’s online ed program 1st in state, 18th in nation

2012

1) Two TLSI teachers (one graduate and one current student) were selected to attend the NBC Teacher Town Hall in New York City, September 2012. Virginia Blackburn, TLSI graduate from Immokalee, and Sherif Watson, TLSI student from Miami, represented us well at this highly visible national meeting where issues near and dear to teachers’ hearts were discussed with education experts. To view a 45-minute clip from NBC about one session at the Teacher Town Hall, click here.

2) TLSI Professor-in-Residence, Dr. Crystal Timmons, recognized as “International Emerging Leader” by Phi Delta Kappa International.

Click here for the full UF story.

2011

Distinguished Program in Teacher Education, awarded by the Association of Teacher Educators (ATE). This award is given annually to one teacher education program in the country. Our award was significant because it was the first time that this award went to a program focused on practicing teachers, rather than initial teacher preparation.

Click here to visit the ATE website.

2010

U.S. Department of Education Investing in Innovation (i3) grant ($6,400,000). This comprehensive and highly visible national grant focuses on a variety of initiatives aimed at improving teacher quality. Based in Miami-Dade County, the i3 grant includes tuition for 100 teachers to participate in the TLSI program and provides stipends for teachers to engage in inquiry within professional learning communities at their schools. With support from researchers at SRI International, the grant also includes a rigorous research study using experimental design to measure changes in teacher practice and student outcomes, as a result of participation in grant activities, and compared to a matched control group.

To read more about it on the Lastinger Center for Learning website, please click here.

To submit a news story, local recognition or award related to the TLSI program, please click here to email Dr. Magdalena Castaneda, faculty coordinator.

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Why TLSI is Different

Job-Embedded Learning: Educators implement new strategies in real-time within their own classrooms, documenting growth and impact through practitioner research.

Adaptable Research-Based Curriculum: Our curriculum constantly evolves to include the latest best practices, ensuring students serve their school communities with cutting-edge expertise.

Personalized Degree Pathways: Students choose between a Master of Education (M.Ed.) or a Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) to align with their specific career goals in leadership and advocacy.

Testimonials

I joined the Gator Nation and became a part of the Teacher Leadership for School Improvement (TLSI) program in 2012. As an educator, I believe continuous professional development enhances ideas and practices. The courses I have completed have been beneficial in my role as instructional coach. As a result I have found myself reflecting more often on my teaching practices and how I interact with others.

Initially, the idea of enrolling in a distance learning program seemed intimidating. I worried about the lack of classroom interaction. However, the TLSI program has afforded me the opportunity to further my education while implementing learned practices. Additional benefits of the TLSI program are the course work relevance, face-to-face meetings, access to professors, and professional peers. In this distance learning program I truly feel I am part of a learning community.

Teia Anderson
Math Coach
Duval County, FL

The TLSI program has made me reevaluate my current teaching practices. I once thought it was impossible to provide individualized instruction to meet the needs of each student in my classroom. The program has opened up my eyes to how to differentiate instruction and actually teach to every individual student rather than the majority. We learned a wealth of teaching strategies and techniques that all have proven to be effective teaching methods.

Shaneka Darby
3rd Grade Teacher, Avocado Elementary
Miami-Dade County, FL

I am a Regional Reading Coordinator with the Florida Department of Education. In this role, I must understand where theory meets practice, where pedagogy meets adult learning, and the impact federal, state and local policies have on student achievement. The Teacher Leadership for School Improvement (TLSI) Program has equipped me with the tools necessary to do my job well. Besides, how could I pass up an opportunity to study WHILE I worked?

A local school teacher recently asked “To what do you attribute your success?” My response was simple: I attribute my success to the students who helped me understand learning and to the professors who helped me understand students. Thanks UF! I wouldn’t trade my experiences for anything in the world.

Des Floyd
Regional Reading Coordinator
Florida Department of Education
Bureau of School Improvement
Duval County, FL

The TLSI Program at the University of Florida has given me a profound depth of knowledge about not only being a teacher, teacher leader and teacher researcher, but also education as a whole. It has opened my eyes about what it takes to become a master teacher, including the process of inquiry and the self discovery of teaching ideals and best practices. This program has empowered me as a teacher, mentor, and teacher leader. I know that I am constantly growing with every class; they are actually designed for practicing teachers in the field. I am learning things that are so practical, relevant and applicable in my classroom every day.

I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to further their knowledge. Education is an ever-changing field and the TLSI program allows the participants to see the most up-to-date, practical way of dealing with different things in the classroom. It has given me insight into teaching in an urban setting. The professors in the program are truly some of the best that I have ever had. TLSI is designed to help schools improve through the most important tool they have — the teachers.

Candace Beam
Kindergarten Teacher, Northshore Elementary
Duval County, FL

The TLSI program has given me the opportunity to become a better master teacher, teacher leader and teacher researcher. I believe it is one of the best programs for teachers in the nation and closely models many of the teaching […]

Linda Brent

I feel blessed for the opportunity to have completed my specialist degree. I have a great feeling of accomplishment. The feeling I have right now is greater than GREAT. Every professor pushed me and other colleagues to do our best. The reflections, the interactions: priceless. I am taking just great memories from this journey and I am so proud to say that I am a GATOR.

In Memory of

Kathleen Zaldivar
Special Education Teacher
Miami-Dade County, FL