Become a teacher leader
Mercer University’s Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) in Teacher Leadership is designed for certified educators who want to increase their instructional and teacher leadership skills beyond the master’s level. This performance-based degree program prepares current educators with the skills necessary to serve as teacher leaders, mentors, and coaches for other educators. Completion of the program and a passing score on the Georgia Assessment for the Certification of Educators (GACE) Content Assessment for Teacher Leadership leads to eligibility for an upgrade to Level 6 certification and adding the new field of Teacher Leadership by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC).
A Teacher Leadership Portfolio and Online Teacher Leader Network will assist candidates as they transform into highly effective teacher leaders prepared to meet today’s challenges. Other support elements include coaches, candidate support teams, and individual growth plans.
Earn an embedded endorsement
Through program curriculum, students will complete courses necessary to earn an in-field Coaching Endorsement and Teacher Leadership Endorsement. Both endorsements equip students with the skills to use performance assessment data to guide, mentor, and lead a variety of teachers and educators and are approved by the GaPSC. Students who already have earned a Coaching Endorsement can select an alternative endorsement offered by the university.
Designed for busy and working adults
Mercer’s Ed.S. in Teacher Leadership is offered in a blended combination of online and in-class meetings, with the majority being held online. We understand life can be busy, so we are dedicated to meeting the needs of our students who are in the workplace. Three required Saturday seminars meet on Mercer’s Atlanta campus, and are scheduled from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Faculty are also available for individual meetings as needed. Online components of the program are completed in Canvas, Mercer’s course management system. The program enrolls once per year in August, and may be completed in three semesters (approximately 12 months).
Expand your knowledge
Through program curriculum, students will gain knowledge in:
- Demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of curriculum and applying this knowledge to the alignment of curriculum, instruction, and assessment to standards
- Modeling best practices in pedagogy and serving as a mentor and coach for other educators
- Working with others to design and implement assessment practices and analyze data for monitoring and improving teaching and learning through data-informed decision making
- Expanding theoretical and practical knowledge of teachers with an understanding of the social-cultural, legal, political, and philosophical forces that influence the school environment
Learn more about our Ed.S. in Teacher Leadership
Ready to take the next step?
Schedule your personalized admissions appointment or contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at 678.547.6062 or MercerEducation@mercer.edu for more information.
Mercer has amazing professors. I was able to apply the skills that I was learning at Mercer in my classroom. Every year, I go into my classroom with two things in mind: teaching and showing my students their worth.
Meet Our Faculty
Mercer’s Tift College of Education is supported by faculty and staff who devote themselves to preparing students to become transforming educators within their communities and throughout the world.
Professional licensure
All of Mercer’s programs that lead to licensure are designed to meet the educational requirements of regulatory authorities in the State of Georgia. If you intend to seek licensure or certification outside of Georgia, please review Mercer’s professional licensure disclosure for more information.