BUILDING STRONG TEACHERS FOR TEXAS STUDENTS Welcome to TAP Connect

Welcome TAP Connect Scholars Welcome from Dean Ridley

What is “TAP CONNECT?” A partnership between Texas Tech University’s College of Education and the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching, TAP Connect offers advanced graduate certificate training, a teacher preparation program and virtual feedback surrounding the TAP processes to improve student achievement.

TAP Connect: Goal The goal of the advanced coursework is provide existing TAP school teachers with advanced certificate training in effective Literacy instruction, STEM instruction, and Leadership instruction that is technology- enabled with ongoing competency-based feedback & instructional shaping in the classroom.

ABOUT THE COURSEWORK The purpose of the graduate certificate program is to be able to strengthen teacher, teacher leader, and administrator performance within a TAP school and district. The courses were developed around the specific teacher and student needs of district partners.

ABOUT THE COURSEWORK CREDITS & CERTIFICATE The TAP Connect coursework can also be applied to master’s degrees and doctoral degrees in Literacy, Leadership, and STEM at TTU. Because the certificates consist of 15 hours of coursework, they may be applied as a minor to other graduate programs at TTU as well. It is possible to transfer the course credits acquired from these programs to graduate programs at other institutions depending on student advisement. Coursework in the certificates can also count toward the Continuing Professional Education hours required in the state of Texas for licensure.

Meet Your Instructors: STEM STEM CERTIFICATE COURSES The STEM Graduate Certificate increases STEM educator skills to effectively implement questioning, thinking and problem solving strategies that impact student achievement and increase students’ abilities in the those areas. The STEM certificate consists of 5 courses, which scaffold the educator’s skills through a strategically designed course sequence. Cohort 1, Course 3 Instructor: Dr. Leigh Kackley Cohort 2, Course 1 Instructor: Dr. Daphne Lewis

Meet Your Instructors: Literacy LITERACY CERTIFICATE COURSES Educators will create, collect and analyze formative tools that support content area literacy, academic vocabulary development, reading writing connections and differentiated instruction with diverse student populations such as English language learners. Educators will become knowledgeable about writing process methods and instructional strategies that address criteria in the STAAR Expository Writing Rubric. Each of the five courses will have detailed descriptions of student learning outcomes. Cohort 1, Course 3 Instructor: Dr. Amma Akrofi Cohort 2, Course 1 Instructor: Dr. Rene Saldana

Meet Your Instructors: Leadership MASTER’S DEGREE IN EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP Master and Mentor Teachers: TAP Connect and TTU offer 15 hours of embedded and customized professional learning and leadership graduate course work toward a Leadership Certificate for TAP schools. Teachers are encouraged to think beyond the Leadership Certificate and utilize the 15 hours of completed courses as they will be transferred toward the completion of a 36-hour master’s degree in educational leadership. Administrators and District Leaders: TAP Connect and TTU offer 15 hours of embedded and customized professional learning and leadership graduate course work toward a Doctorate (EdD) in Educational Leadership for TAP schools. School and district leaders will engage in embedded professional learning through graduate coursework and refine problems of practice to improve student mastery, teacher practice and school culture and climate. Cohort 1, Course 3 Instructor: Dr. Kelly Trlicka- Cohort 2, Course 1 Instructor: Dr. Vanessa Deleon

HOW IT WORKS Candidates enrolled in the coursework will receive a syllabus outlining the online and video capture assignments they will complete throughout the semester long course. Candidates are expected to participate in the online syncronous meetings where they will meet with their entire class to discuss new learning with their instructor. Participation in the syncronous meetings is critical to succeeding in the coursework. These meetings occur every couple of weeks and in between the syncronous meetings candidates will be capturing evidence of application of the new learning. Each candidate will have access to a mini iPad and stand in order to capture evidence of practice and upload for instructors and peers to provide feedback.

Are You Ready to Become the Difference in your School? You are now part of an elite group of highly capable educators. Commitment is crucial! The benefits of this graduate certificate work will follow you for a lifetime. Once classes begin we expect that you will follow through with your commitment and complete your coursework. We are excited that you’ve decided to join this professional journey!

CONTACT Elizabeth Woodall College of Education Texas Tech University