Texas Principal Leadership Academy
Program Director
David E. DeMatthews
Assistant Program Director
Debra Cantú
The Texas Principal Leadership Academy (TPLA) is a 12-month Master's in Education (M.Ed.) program designed to prepare graduates to take the Principal as Instructional Leader EC-12 exam and become leaders of socially just, equitable, and high-achieving public schools in Texas. Our graduates’ first-time exam passing rate typically exceeds 97% which is better than the state average.
TPLA is built on the strengths and historic legacy of preparing public school leaders within our top-ranked Department of Educational Leadership and Policy. The Academy represents the next iteration of our Principalship Program, which has been re-designed and streamlined to meet the needs of school districts across Texas.
TPLA’s purpose is to develop 1,000 new reform-minded, culturally responsive, data-savvy, and instructional school leaders for urban public schools in Texas by 2040. These new leaders will relentlessly pursue equity and excellence for all children, an especially urgent priority in light of Texas’s changing demographic landscape.
TPLA is hosting mandatory application information sessions on December 5th and December 7th. You will be provided with in-depth information about the program, the application process and the opportunity to speak with current students, faculty, and alumni. RSVP Here.
This program starts in the Summer semester only. You must select the “Summer” semester in the ApplyTexas application. If you apply to the wrong semester or incorrect program track in the Educational Leadership and Policy department in the ApplyTexas application, you could be subject to additional application fees.
Learn more about certification requirements on the Texas Education Agency's website.
Faculty
 Rebecca CallahanAssociate Professor, EPP Master's Program HeadResearch interests include immigrant bilinguals’ transition from adolescence to young adulthood, as well as their associated educational processes. |
 Debra CantúAssistant Professor of PracticeCoordinates learning objectives, knowledge development, and practical experiences through internships that contribute to a cohesive, high quality education in administration. |
 Norma Cantú, J.D.Ken McIntyre Professor for Excellence in School LeadershipWith a background as assistant secretary of education for Civil Rights in the Clinton Administration, she teaches topics in civil rights and the intersection of law and policy in education. |
 David E. DeMatthewsAssociate ProfessorFocuses on urban school and district leadership, inclusive practices for students with disabilities, and school improvement with an emphasis on addressing inequities in classrooms, schools, and communities. |
 Terrance GreenAssociate ProfessorExamines principals and school-community engagement/community development, and issues of educational equity and opportunity. |
 Rubén D. OlivárezL. D. Haskew Centennial Professor in Public School AdministrationAdvocates for social justice and equal educational opportunities for all students, and stresses the importance of teachers in education and principals as a key to school effectiveness. |
 Pedro ReyesAshbel Smith Professor of Education PolicyFocuses on school conditions that foster high academic success for children of poverty, stratification of learning opportunities for children of color, and on state policy that facilitates student success across the education pipeline. |
Clinical and Adjunct Faculty
 Chris ElizaldeAssistant Professor of PracticeFocuses on preparing school professionals to address legal issues they will be required to consider as administrators based on her significant experience advising and representing public school officials and administrators in legal matters. |
 Barbara GideonAssistant Professor of PracticeDevelops school leaders with the knowledge, skill, and disposition to foster collaborative instructional systems to produce high levels of adult engagement in their unique school environments to assure every student learns well and thrives, with a focus on equity and continuous improvement. |
Sheila GuzmanAssistant Professor of PracticeInterests include curriculum and instruction, educational administration, bilingual/bicultural education, principalship preparation, and public school executive leadership. |
Glenn NollyAssistant Professor of PracticeFocuses on social justice leadership as well as specific strategies to create optimal learning environments for students and teachers. |
 Trinidad San MiguelAssistant Professor of PracticeSupports school leaders in their efforts to implement continuous improvement strategies that promote growth for self, staff, students, and community in his role as an external campus intervention team member, professional service provider and effective school framework facilitator. |
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