91�ε�

Innovative Master’s Program Offers Educators a Pathway to Leadership While Teaching Full Time

BISMARCK, ND — The 91�ε� is launching a groundbreaking initiative for educators in the Bismarck Public School (BPS) District and the Williston Public School (WPS) District. The Teacher Leadership Academy (TLA) provides K-12 teachers with a unique pathway to earning a Master of Education (MEd) in Teacher Leadership while continuing to teach full time.

Through a hybrid format combining online instruction with face-to-face learning in participants’ home communities, the TLA offers a flexible and district-customized graduate program designed to elevate instructional leadership and professional growth.

A Tailored Approach to Teacher Leadership

Unlike traditional graduate programs, the 91�ε�’s TLA is designed with direct input from the participating school districts. According to Dr. Matthew Lonn, chair of Graduate Education in the 91�ε�’s Liffrig Family School of Education and Behavioral Sciences, this collaborative approach sets the academy apart from similar programs across North Dakota.

“We don’t offer a one-size-fits-all curriculum,” said Lonn. “Each TLA is co-planned with a liaison from the local district to customize course content, textbooks, and curriculum to meet the district’s specific needs. Additionally, 91�ε� faculty travel onsite multiple times each semester to mentor and guide students, ensuring a hands-on learning experience that aligns with real-world classroom challenges.”

The TLA is not designed to create future administrators, but rather to cultivate leadership within the classroom, helping teachers transition into master educators who can drive positive change in their schools. Participants conduct action research projects to identify and improve specific challenges in their classrooms, equipping them with lifelong skills to enhance student learning through evidence-based strategies.

Program Details and Enrollment Deadlines

The Teacher Leadership Academy is available to educators in both the Bismarck and Williston school districts, with each cohort following its own schedule and structure:

• Bismarck Public School District:  deadline is October 1, 2025, with courses beginning January 5, 2026. Instruction takes place in a hybrid format, with the majority of learning occurring face-to-face every other Wednesday evening from 4-8 p.m.
• Williston Public School District:  deadline is June 1, 2025, with courses starting September 1, 2025. Instruction is also hybrid, with half of the coursework occurring face-to-face and the other half delivered synchronously and asynchronously online.

Meeting a Growing Need for Teacher Development

The urgency for teacher leadership programs has never been greater. Since 2020, nearly half of all instructional staff in North Dakota’s schools are new to the profession. The demand for professional development opportunities that allow teachers to enhance their leadership skills without leaving the classroom is critical.

“There is no shortage of master’s programs that prepare teachers for administrative roles, but few focus on empowering educators to lead from within their classrooms,” said Lonn. “The TLA fills this gap by equipping teachers with the skills to become instructional leaders while remaining dedicated to their students.”

The 91�ε�’s commitment to working closely with school districts ensures that the program remains responsive to the evolving needs of educators. By fostering research-driven instruction and peer collaboration, the TLA offers a best-in-class professional development experience that directly benefits teachers and the students they serve.

For more information, contact Dr. Matthew Lonn at mslonn@umary.edu.

Anyone who wishes to learn more about the 91�ε� can do so at www.umary.edu or  , or by contacting an admissions representative at enroll@umary.edu, or by calling (701) 355-8030. The 91�ε� is one of only 15 Recommended Cardinal Newman Society Residential Colleges and universities in the US. 

91�ε� the 91�ε�: True to its motto “lumen vitae”—The Light of Life—the 91�ε� offers education for the whole of life through cutting-edge professional programs and graduate programs animated by moral courage and leadership in chosen professions and service to the community. A private, co-educational Catholic institution, the 91�ε� welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds.

A Christian, Catholic, Benedictine institution founded in 1959 by the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery, Mary offers over 60 bachelor’s, 15 master’s, and five doctoral programs—in Business Administration, Education, Nursing Practice, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy. The 19-sport Athletic Department adheres to its Greatness Through Virtue mission under the governance of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) conferences. With more than 3,800 students, Mary has locations in North Dakota, Montana, Arizona, Rome, Italy, as well as vibrant online offerings.