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Teaching & Learning Council

Teaching & Learning Council

HELPING

TEACHERS

ACHIEVE

Teachers are the most important in-school factor affecting student learning. The Council focuses on placing effective teachers in every classroom and collaborating directly with teachers to develop policies related to teacher preparation and pathways.

HELPING

TEACHERS

ACHIEVE

Teachers are the most important in-school factor affecting student learning. The Council focuses on placing effective teachers in every classroom and collaborating directly with teachers to develop policies related to teacher preparation and pathways.

HELPING

TEACHERS

ACHIEVE

Teachers are the most important in-school factor affecting student learning. The Council focuses on placing effective teachers in every classroom and collaborating directly with teachers to develop policies related to teacher preparation and pathways.

INFLUENCING POLICY. INSPIRING IMPROVEMENT.

The Teaching and Learning Council acts as a resource to Texas legislators, state agencies,
and other regulatory bodies by sharing its research and evidence-based
recommendations related to effective teaching policy.

Convenes to review research, policy, and practices

Participates in facilitated discussions to address college and career readiness and effective teaching impact areas

Determines recommendations for legislature, state agencies, school districts, institutions of higher education, and/or alternative certification programs

Engages key audiences and provides research, information, and advocacy

MEET THE COUNCIL MEMBERS

Leveraging a diversity of experiences and perspectives, council members represent a variety
of education practitioners and stakeholders, including principals, superintendents, and representatives from education preparation programs, institutions of higher education,
and advocacy groups.
Member Name:  Woodrow Bailey
Member Title:  Chief of Human Capital Management
Organization:  Midland ISD
Member Name:  ANGELA BURLEY
Member Title:  TEACHER
Organization:  DR. FREDERICK DOUGLASS TODD SR. MIDDLE SCHOOL, DALLAS ISD
Member Name:  DR. STACEY EDMONSON
Member Title:  DEAN, COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Organization:  SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY
Member Name:  Dr. Sarah Beal
Member Title:  Executive Director
Organization:  US Prep National Center
Member Name:  ROBERT CARREON
Member Title:  VICE PRESIDENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS FOR TEXAS
Organization:  TEACH FOR AMERICA
Member Name:  JONATHAN FEINSTEIN
Member Title:  STATE DIRECTOR
Organization:  EDUCATION TRUST TEXAS
Member Name:  Lucia Borrego
Member Title:  Chief Academic Officer
Organization:  Socorro ISD
Member Name:  DR. ART CAVAZOS
Member Title:  SUPERINTENDENT IN RESIDENCE
Organization:  EDUCATE TEXAS, COUNCIL CHAIR
Member Name:  AMANDA FRANSHAM
Member Title:  PROGRAM OFFICER
Organization:  MEADOWS FOUNDATION
Member Name:  Davida Burks
Member Title:  Principal
Organization:  Centennial Elementary, Lubbock ISD 
Member Name:  DON DUNN
Member Title:  SUPERINTENDENT
Organization:  VAN ISD
Member Name:  HELEN HAILEMARIAM
Member Title:  EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Organization:  RELAY GSE
Member Name:  DR. DOUG HAMMAN
Member Title:  DIRECTOR OF TEACHER EDUCATION
Organization:  TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY
Member Name:  CODY HUIE
Member Title:  VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS
Organization:  CHARLES BUTT FOUNDATION
Member Name:  YVETTE PEÑA
Member Title:  TEACHER
Organization:  INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF THE AMERICAS, NORTH EAST ISD
Member Name:  DR. VALERIE HILL-JACKSON
Member Title:  ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Organization:  TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
Member Name:  DOMINIQUE MCCAIN
Member Title:  MANAGING DIRECTOR
Organization:  COMMIT PARTNERSHIP
Member Name:  DR. GISELA SAENZ
Member Title:  SUPERINTENDENT
Organization:  LA JOYA ISD
Member Name:  DR. SAUL HINOJOSA
Member Title:  SUPERINTENDENT
Organization:  SOMERSET ISD
Member Name:  ERICKA OLIVAREZ
Member Title:  PRINCIPAL
Organization:  CAST TEACH HIGH SCHOOL, NORTHSIDE ISD
Member Name:  DR. BEVERLY SANDE
Member Title:  DIRECTOR OF PANTHER TEACHING ACADEMY
Organization:  PRAIRIE VIEW A&M
Member Name:  DR. DIANN HUBER
Member Title:  FOUNDER & STRATEGIC ADVISOR
Organization:  ITEACH
Member Name:  NICOLE MOORE-KRIEL
Member Title:  PROGRAM OFFICER
Organization:  POWELL FOUNDATION
Member Name:  DR. SHARON SHIELDS
Member Title:  SUPERINTENDENT
Organization:  LA VEGA ISD
Member Name:  PATRICK STECK
Member Title:  SENIOR DIRECTOR OF POLICY
Organization:  DEANS FOR IMPACT
Member Name:  DR. CLIFTON TANABE
Member Title:  DEAN
Organization:  UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO
Member Name:  TANIA TASNEEM
Member Title:  TEACHER
Organization:  KEALING MIDDLE SCHOOL, AUSTIN ISD
Member Name:  DR. AMBER THOMPSON
Member Title:  ASSOCIATE CHAIR, TEACHER EDUCATION
Organization:  UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
Member Name:  DR. PAM WELLS
Member Title:  FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Organization:  REGION 4 SERVICE CENTER

COUNCIL PRIORITIES

The Teaching and Learning Council (TLC) convenes practitioners and a focused group of diverse stakeholders committed to improving the public education system in Texas, with a focus on effective teaching practices. The Council recommends bold and strategic policies informed by research and practice.

88th Session Legislative Recommendations

  • Define and incentivize key elements of program quality, including residencies, across diverse preparation program models.
  • Increase funding for candidates pursuing rigorous and relevant preparation routes through braided funding, registered apprenticeships, loan forgiveness, scholarships, and other financial support
  • Grant a year of service time for teacher salary and service schedule for those who have completed an approved year-long residency
  • Ensure the Texas Education Agency, State Board for Educator Certification, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board establish and incentivize articulated pathways from dual credit, community colleges, and four-year institutions to shorten time to degree and certification through stackable credentials and required transfer degrees
  • Ensure compensation and benefit models support teachers across all levels of experience, expertise, and responsibilities
  • Sustain and expand practices like the Teacher Incentive Allotment, National Board Certification and strategic staffing models that promote high-quality residency, mentorship, and differentiated roles for veteran teachers
  • Modify requirements for teachers to return to the classroom, including adjustments to continuing professional education and retire/rehire requirements
  • Increase state support for the Mentor Program Allotment, while maintaining a rigorous bar for mentor teacher qualifications, and training.
  • Ensure access to data for individual programs of all types and sizes for educator preparation program accountability and continuous improvement
  • Increase transparency as to the outcomes for teachers who enter the classroom without educator preparation or certification, including those who enter as late hires, as uncertified teachers in Districts of Innovation, and those who enter on another short-term permit
  • Uphold admission, preparation, and certification requirements that contribute to stronger student outcomes and teacher retention
  • Provide districts with access to vacancy and applicant data systems that will accurately identify the most critical needs in teacher talent

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