Aspiring Ed-Leaders Program
Master's in Educational Leadership with Urban School Specialization at
SMU's Simmons School of Education & Human Development
The Aspiring Ed-Leaders Program is designed to prepare participants to be transformational leaders in urban schools. Aspiring Ed-Leaders will enhance mindsets and develop skillsets through careful study of the practices of effective urban school leaders and structured leadership experiences, both in-class and on-the-job, combined with in-depth development from Teaching Trust school leadership professionals. Participants who successfully complete the program earn the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership with Urban School Specialization through a unique partnership between Teaching Trust and SMU’s Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development.
The two-year program includes a rigorous, year-long study focused on instructional and organizational leadership and the development of effective teachers, followed by a residency year in a Title 1 school in a partner district, working alongside a mentor principal while serving as a member of the school’s leadership team. Graduates are prepared to make an immediate impact toward closing the achievement gap by leading change in their schools with a focus on building a culture of high performance for both the students and adults. Key components of this program, funded by Teaching Trust, include:
- Targeted recruiting for participants who exhibit the values (belief-based actions) needed for this challenging work, featuring a highly selective and experiential process for admissions;
- A year-long facilitated and heavily assessed “residency” experience during the second year of the program where the candidate is in a leadership role at an urban school with responsibility for developing teachers and building key components of a high achieving culture;
- A competency framework that defines the practices that characterize values and skills required for transformational leaders (see Figure 5: Teaching Trust Competency Model) used for continuous assessment and development processes; and
- A five-year commitment by participants to their districts and Teaching Trust, which is fundraising for ~80% of the cost of their Master’s degree. Post graduation, the participants commit to continued development with Teaching Trust staff accompanied by extensive follow-up including long-term evaluation of results.
Successful Candidates
Successful candidates must demonstrate the following mindsets and skillsets:
- Commitment to Urban Leadership
- Growth Mindset
- Strong Instructional Practice
- Results Orientation
- Ability to Influence & Inspire
- Resilience & Courage
- High Expectations for All Students
Program Structure
This 45-hour degree program is designed to be completed in 2 years including summer sessions, which culminates in an M.Ed in Educational Leadership from Southern Methodist University. The first year is classroom instruction that is delivered using case studies and group work with cohorts. The coursework is organized into four 7-week modules. The second year is a campus based residency (12 credit hours) where candidates will be paired with a master principal or clinical faculty member. Candidates will gain “on the job” training where they can apply their skills in a safe environment and receive candid feedback. On-going evaluation and support are provided in years 3-5. Click Here for Course Listing 
Topics of study and clinical exploration include:
Cost
Significant scholarships will be available for candidates committed to leadership in urban schools and who meet the program criteria. These scholarships will be awarded upon acceptance into the program. Because of these scholarships, the total cost for the two year program is $7,500. More information is available on SMU's Office of Financial Aid website at http://smu.edu/Financial_Aid/.
Faculty
Faculty is drawn from professors in SMU's Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development and the Cox School of Business. National experts and visiting practitioners will also contribute to the offerings of the program.
Application Requirements
•Be nominated by a supervisor
•Meet SMU’s eligibility requirements for entrance into the M.Ed. Program and Teaching Trust Selection Requirements
•Interviews for competitive candidates will be conducted after the application deadline.
For More Information Contact:
Connie Wallace, Director of External Relations
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(214) 206-3849 x 315
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