Committee punts teacher‑leader endorsement after members raise practical concerns

The Certification Advisory Committee on Nov. 19, 2024 reviewed a draft Teacher Leader endorsement intended to recognize campus-based leaders — mentors, instructional coaches and professional-development facilitators — but did not forward it to the State Board. Jamie Wilber, Deputy Associate Superintendent for Certification, described the endorsement as optional and outlined stakeholder work, which produced five priority coursework areas and a proposal for 15 semester hours (or board-approved training substitutions).

Wilber said stakeholders (27 invited; broad district and higher-education representation) and more than 150 survey responses helped shape the draft. The endorsement would require a valid Arizona teaching certificate, three years’ full‑time teaching experience, and 15 semester hours aligned with the Arizona Teacher Leader Professional Standards. To address cost concerns, staff revised the draft to allow accredited institutions or professional education organizations and board‑approved trainings to satisfy the coursework requirement.

Several committee members nonetheless urged more emphasis on practical, supervised experience. Member Horn said she had “real concerns” and stated, "I don't feel comfortable voting on this type of an endorsement with this kind of conversation going on," citing the need for field‑based practicum to see whether teacher‑leader candidates can apply adult‑learning and coaching skills in practice. Other members raised rural access, course availability, and whether the endorsement would translate into compensation or hiring preference.

Staff and stakeholders said the endorsement was designed as a lighter, optional pathway for educators who do not want to pursue administrative credentials and that local education agencies (LEAs) could require additional hiring criteria (including practicum) and use the endorsement as a hiring preference. Wilber and Department staff noted board‑approved training, micro‑credentials and competency‑based options could be used to meet parts of the coursework requirement and that certification staff would review submissions for content alignment.

A member moved to recommend R7-2615(V), the Teacher Leader endorsement; no member seconded the motion. The committee directed the Department to rework the proposal and return with revisions and additional stakeholder input rather than forwarding the endorsement to the State Board at this time.

What happens next: staff will continue stakeholder outreach, consider options for incorporating practical experience or clearer hiring guidance, and resubmit the revised language to the committee for further action.