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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.
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.
Woodrow Bailey
Chief Talent Officer, Fort Worth ISD
Dr. Sarah Beal
Executive Director, US Prep
Lili Carracso
Special Education Teacher, Fabens ISD
Robert Carreon
VP, Public Affairs, Teach for America, TX
Dr. Art Cavazos
Chair, Superintendent Emeritus
Sara Delano
Dean, School of Education, Dallas College
Dr. Stacey L. Edmonson
Dean, College of Education,
Sam Houston State University
Katie Eisel, M.S.
Director, Clinical Practice & Innovation, Teach Us
Jonathan Feinstein
State Director, The Education Trust in Texas
Jomeka Gray
National Board Certified Teacher, Temple ISD
D’Ann Hatler
K-5 Math & Reading Interventionist, Ballinger ISD
Tim Hise
Chief Consulting Officer, The New Teacher Project
Dr. Diann Huber
Founder, Texas State Director, ITeach
Dr. Jarret Johnson
Principal, Brazoswood High School,
Brazosport ISD
Dr. Joshua Jones
Director, Educator Preparation Services, Tarleton State University
Paris Kent
Fine Arts Dance Teacher, Emotion Dance Company Director, Bellaire High School
Veronica Kortan
Deputy Superintendent, Harlingen CISD
Heather Leverett
Second Grade Teacher, Canyon ISD
Lisa Meysemboug
Superintendent, Woodville ISD
Dr. Jose Moreno
Superintendent, Sommerset ISD
Ashley Osborne
Senior Partner & Executive Director,
Texas Center for Grow Your Own
Angel Rivera
Superintendent, Mesquite ISD
Dr. Kathy Rollo
Superintendent, Lubbock ISD
Dr. Beverly Sande
Associate Professor, Prairie View A&M University
Dr. Sharon Shields
Superintendent, La Vega ISD
Patrick Steck
Vice President of External Affairs, Deans for Impact
Dr. Clifton Tanabe
Dean, University of Texas ElPaso
Carlos Villagrana
Program Officer, Houston Endowment
Jamie Vineck
Director of Talent Development, Lamar CISD
Dr. Remy L. Washingont
President, UpLift Education
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.
89th Session Legislative Recommendations
- Teacher Residency Programs: Fund and support a statewide teacher residency allotment to enhance the existing
residency certification pathway by providing stipends for both resident and mentor teachers, while also ensuring robust financial support for educator preparation programs to deliver comprehensive, hands-on training. - Teacher Apprenticeship Pathways: Fund and support state efforts to establish and strategically integrate apprenticeship
pathways into existing teacher pipeline programs, such as Grow Your Own and residency programs, while also defining
stackable credentials that create clear entry and progression points into the teaching profession. - Certification Exam Support: Waive or reduce exam and certification fees to help alleviate barriers to entering the
teaching profession.
- Strategic Staffing: Establish technical assistance and funding to support strategic staffing models to maximize the
impact of effective teachers, create career advancement opportunities, and enhance compensation. - Strategic Compensation: Strategically increase compensation for educators through expansion of the Teacher Incentive Allotment. Differentiate starting salaries based on certification status and preparation route, and support districts with increased state investment to sustain strategic compensation practices.
- Teacher Mentorship: Develop and scale teacher mentorship programs and the Mentor Program Allotment to provide
opportunities for teacher leadership roles and implement comprehensive support systems for early career teachers. - Incentives for Retention and Classroom Reentry: Adjust continuing professional education requirements, revise retire/rehire policies, and provide additional benefits and incentives, such as free prekindergarten for the children of classroom teachers, to retain qualified educators and encourage those who have left the profession to return to the
classroom.
- Parental Transparency: Enhance transparency by eliminating the option for Districts of Innovation to waive parental
notification for uncertified teachers, and establish a searchable permit for uncertified educators who have not completed a preparation program to provide parents with clear access to certification statuses and ensure greater protections for student safety. - Educator Pathway Outcomes and Transparency: Enhance transparency and access to data on the outcomes of
teachers entering the classroom through all preparation routes, including those entering without certification. - Vacancy and Applicant Data: Provide districts and educator preparation programs with access to vacancy and applicant data systems that will accurately identify the most critical needs in teacher talent.
- Program Accountability and Continuous Improvement: Expand access to data to facilitate the continuous improvement of educator preparation programs while also increasing the capacity of these programs to better support their candidates, program completers, and partner districts.
