Master of Education in Curriculum Studies- National Board Certification Teacher Leader
The MEd-CS National Board Certification Teacher Leader track is a unique 30-credit program through which teachers may: 1) earn a master’s degree, 2) pursue National Board Certification (Initial certification or renewal), 3) earn a Teacher Leader Graduate certificate, and 4) add-a-field of Teacher Leader to a Hawaii Teaching License.
This program is grounded in the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, the Teacher Leader Model Standards, philosophy for children (p4c) Hawaiʻi, and Aloha Kumu (Respect and appreciation for educators). The program is intended to prepare teachers with the knowledge and skills to 1) assume teacher leader roles in various community and educational settings; 2) improve their practice and student learning; 3) help students to think for themselves in meaningful ways; and 4) transform traditional classrooms into intellectually and emotionally safe communities of learning.
The National Board Certification (NBC) application process is built into the program. Faculty will support teachers in developing National Board Certification (NBC) portfolios and through the NBC application process (initial certification or certification renewal). Formally applying for NBC is optional. Students who choose not to formally apply for NBC will develop mock-NBC portfolios. The NBC portfolio or mock-NBC portfolio will serve as the culminating master’s thesis project for the program. Courses are offered on-line (synchronous and asynchronous). The program is coordinated by Dr. Kimo Cashman and Dr. Chad Miller.
Who should consider this program
K-12 educators throughout Hawaiʻi with at least two years of teaching experience who wish to assume educational/teacher leadership roles in various school and community contexts. Educators who wish to pursue National Board Certification (initial, renewal) while earning a MEd degree with a cohort of awesome teachers.