A partnership between Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) and Mercer University will open the door for teachers to earn a Tier I Leadership Certification. The program will allow teachers to earn their Tier I Certification through Mercer University’s Tift College of Education’s Tier I Educational Leadership program. This program is designed for teachers interested in entering leadership (this certification is necessary at the assistant principal level) with the intention of providing a pathway for continued leadership and career growth.

     The partnership between Mercer University and GCPS is the latest example of GCPS’ commitment to attracting and hiring talented educators and providing professional development opportunities which lead to better teachers and improved classroom results. Dr. Mathews explains, “This partnership with Mercer is one of two recently announced by GCPS in support of career growth opportunities for our teachers. While this one is focused on teachers passionate about leadership opportunities, Georgia State University’s Master of Education in STEM program allows teachers to advance their education in the STEM field. Both programs are aligned with the strategic priorities in Our Blueprint for the Future and serve as solid examples of the steadfast priority in GCPS of taking care of our teachers through providing these two experiences.”

The Tier I Certification course is four semesters long and is hybrid: 50% Synchronous, 25% Asynchronous, and 25% In Person (one Saturday per month at the Atlanta Campus).

• Once accepted into the Tier I certification program, GCPS teachers are required to sign a contract with the district for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years.
• For more information about the course, please contact GCPS Leadership and Staff Development: 678-301-7267.