Advanced Graduate Study (AGS)
Are you already an experienced teacher interested in gaining the leadership skills you need to influence policy and practice in your own school and beyond? Our 13-month Teacher Leadership Program in Advanced Graduate Study (AGS) might be for you.
With a dual emphasis on instructional and institutional/policy leadership, our program will empower you to create change by improving pedagogical practices and fostering the kind of collaborative culture that enhances learning for both students and educators.
As an AGS student, you’ll spend two, three-week summer sessions taking classes at Brandeis in instructional leadership and school change. In between those summers, you’ll spend the spring and fall semesters back in your own school, applying your new leadership skills with the support of a coach from our Education Program. All participants plan and implement an initiative in their schools, working with colleagues to strengthen some aspect of instruction or school culture. You will also take one online class each semester to continue building your repertoire of leadership skills and stances.
Many graduates serve as mentors, team leaders or instructional coaches.
If you are interested in the AGS program, we encourage you to schedule an appointment to speak with an adviser.
Why Brandeis?
At Brandeis, we recognize that you — our nation’s classroom teachers — are the most important change agents in education. We also understand the importance of context and know how to help you thrive as a leader in your particular school setting.
Our program will provide you with an experienced professional coach as well as a diverse but like-minded cohort of fellow future teacher leaders — a trusted professional network outside your school who will support you during and after your studies with us. We provide generous scholarships to all participants to make this program affordable even to those with limited resources.
Fellowship Opportunities
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If you are an experienced and talented teacher in the Waltham Public School District looking for a rigorous professional development opportunity, consider applying to the Brandeis-Waltham Teacher Leader Fellowship.
A partnership between Brandeis University and Waltham Public Schools (WPS), this 13-month program will enable you to work closely with fellow teachers to improve instruction and increase your school's capacity to engage and retain English language learners and other students with challenges. The program culminates in an Advanced Graduate Study credential.
During the fellowship, you will spend two, three-week summer sessions at Brandeis participating in rigorous coursework, complete coursework through distance learning during the school year and receive continuous coaching for the entire 13-month period. Our curriculum is designed to enable you to study and practice essential leadership skills while working full-time in your school.
The program is open to all Waltham teachers (K-12), but your application must be supported by your school principal. You may be eligible for up to 50% tuition scholarship from Brandeis; WPS offers you a 25% tuition scholarship if you are admitted to the program.
If you are an experienced and talented teacher in the Arlington Public School District looking for a rigorous professional development opportunity, consider applying to the Brandeis-Arlington Teacher Leader Fellowship.
A partnership between Brandeis University and Arlington Public Schools (APS), this 13-month program will enable you to work closely with fellow teachers to improve instruction and strengthen professional culture at your school. The program culminates in an Advanced Graduate Study credential.
During the fellowship, you will spend two, three-week summer sessions at Brandeis, complete coursework through distance learning during the school year, design and implement a teacher leader “initiative,” and receive continuous coaching for the entire 13-month period. Our curriculum is designed to enable you to study and practice essential leadership skills while working full-time in your school.
The program is open to all Arlington teachers (K-12) who have been teaching in the district for at least 3 years, but your application must be supported by your school principal. You may be eligible for up to 50% tuition scholarship from Brandeis; APS offers you a $6,000 tuition scholarship if you are admitted to the program.
Are you an experienced Jewish day school teacher interested in becoming an effective teacher leader without having to leave the classroom? Consider applying to Brandeis’ Jewish Day School Fellowship.
This unique 13-month course of study is a chance for exceptional educators at Jewish day schools to join other talented and experienced teachers from a variety of school settings.
The program will prepare you to create change in your school by improving your pedagogical practices and helping you foster the kind of collaborative culture that leads to greater student and educator learning.
Our curriculum is designed to enable you to study and practice essential leadership skills while working full-time in your school. As a Jewish day school fellow, you will spend two, three-week summer sessions at Brandeis participating in rigorous coursework, complete in-service coursework through distance learning during the school year and receive continuous coaching for two years. The fellowship culminates in a two-and-half-day conference in the New York area, where you and other fellows will have an opportunity to showcase your teacher leadership work and network with other teacher innovators from Jewish day schools around the country.
The fellowship covers the costs of the program, which includes room and board at Brandeis for two summers and transportation to and from Boston.
You are eligible to apply if you:
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Currently teach in a Jewish day school.
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Have at least 5 years of teaching experience.
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Excel in the classroom and want to continue teaching.
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Have shown initiative in your classroom or school.
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Possess leadership potential.
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Have the support of your head of school.
If you meet these requirements and are interested in
applying, please complete the application for the AGS in Teacher Leadership (“Jewish Day School” concentration) through the Brandeis University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Enrollment is limited and admissions are rolling. Applications are due January 31, and we will begin notifying candidates of acceptance in mid-March.
Since 2018, the ICEF charter school network in Los Angeles has sponsored teachers to participate in the Teacher Leadership Program. ICEF teachers are guaranteed a 50% tuition scholarship from Brandeis. All other expenses (including room & board) are covered by ICEF.
