Texas Superintendents' Certification Institute (TSCI)

Requirements

To be considered for our program, all applicants must have:

• Master’s degree or higher with an overall 3.0 minimum grade point average
• Texas Principal or Mid-Management Certification
• Minimum of three years campus or district-level experience
• Professional recommendations
• Written accomplishment record of identified leadership skills
• Access to a computer and printer, with Microsoft Office Suite software installed
• Ability to search the internet, download Word documents and other files, manipulate Excel spreadsheets, and create PowerPoint presentations.

Application Process

Application to the TSCI program is a three-step process. Note that there are limited opportunities for enrollment after the application deadline based on the number of seats.

Step 1 - Online Application

Complete the Online Application, including payment of the required, non-refundable fee. You will be able to save your application over time until you are ready to submit it for review.

Step 2 - Submit Admission Documents

1. Master's Degree and any other relevant higher education degree transcripts showing an overall minimum 3.0 GPA
2. Three (3) recommendation forms mailed/e-mailed directly from the recommender
3. Service record showing credential years of managerial experience in a public school district
4. Principal or mid-level management certificate
5. Recent employment performance evaluation

Please send documents to:

Sarah Reuwsaat
Texas Superintendents' Certification Institute
Region 13 Education Service Center
5701 Springdale Road, Austin, TX 78723

or

leadership@esc13.txed.net

Step 3 - Interview

If you qualify, participate in a structured interview via live Zoom that will focus on the presence of leadership attributes.

Our comprehensive program is offered at a fixed price to include application, registration, and program fees.

Participants may pay the $6,000 program costs in full, up front, or pay in eight equal monthly payments of $750.00, beginning the month following the first module start day.

Texts, materials, TExES exam fee, and certification fees are paid separately prior to completion of the program.

Financial Aid

A+ FCU Higher Education Loan: A+ Federal Credit Union offers a Higher Education Loan for a financing option up to $10,000 and up to 120 months. Call 512-302-6800, option 2, option 3, option 3 to apply, or for further details. Team members are available to assist Monday-Friday 8 am-7 pm and Saturday 10 am-1 pm. If not already a member of A+ Federal Credit Union, please visit https://aplusfcu.org/join-a-plus/ to join.

College Access Loan Program: The College Access Loan Program provides alternative educational loans to Texas students enrolled in an alternative certification program who are unable to meet the cost of attendance. The CAL may be used to cover part or all of the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC); students do not have to demonstrate financial need. This loan program is part of the Hinson-Hazlewood College Student Loan Program administrated by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). For more information, visit http://www.hhloans.com/.

The coursework is completed online and includes interactions with other participants and the course facilitator.

You can start your journey at the start of any scheduled module, and if you apply now, you can start pursuing your superintendent certification within the next 6-8 weeks!

Below is the TSCI rolling admission schedule for the 2020-2021 school year.

Is there financial assistance available?

A+ Federal Credit Union offers a Higher Education Loan for a financing option. Call 512-302-6800 ext. 6831 to apply or for further details, Monday-Friday 8am-7PM and Saturday 10am-1PM. Their website is: https://aplusfcu.org/educators/.

Can a participant take more than one module at a time?

No, only one module is offered per session.

If needed, could the participant take a break during the program?

Yes, but only until the next module begins.

If the participant takes a break and misses a module, how long will it be before the module is offered again?

Approximately 12 months later.

Will university credit be given for any of the modules?

No, not at this time.

If someone already has university credit toward certification, can course credit take the place of any of the modules?

No, the model of preparation is unique and, therefore, requires completion of all TSCI content modules.

What is the maximum group size for each of the modules?

The maximum is approximately 25 persons.

What is needed for completion of a standard superintendent certificate?

Successful completion of all program requirements, including attending all face-to-face sessions, completing all assignments, paying all program fees, receiving a favorable recommendation from your school district, and passing the TExES Exam.

What skills are needed to be a School Administrator?

Review the Necessary Personal Skills of an Administrator document.

What if I have a concern about the program?

The Region 13 Educator Preparation Programs encourage stakeholders to discuss their concerns with appropriate program personnel who have the authority to address the concerns. Concerns should be expressed as soon as possible to allow early resolution at the lowest possible level. Informal resolution shall be encouraged. If this does not resolve your issue, please follow our formal complaint process. EPP Complaint Process and EPP Complaint Form

Can I find out more about Region 13’s TSCI program and how well it has been doing to prepare candidates for the superintendency?

Yes, we encourage interested parties to review information regarding our program progress. This information can be found on TEA’s website on the Consumer Information about Educator Preparation Programs.

TSCI Instructors

	Rich Elsasser, Ed.D. Dr. Elsasser is the instructor for the TExES Review sessions in TSCI. Rich is currently serving as Executive Director of Region 13 Education Service Center in Austin, Texas. Prior to becoming Executive Director, Rich was Superintendent of Schools of Fayetteville ISD from 2011- 2014. He also served as a Program Coordinator for the Superintendent and Principal Certification Program at Region 13, a Middle School Principal, and a Science teacher in Burnet CISD.
	Steven Snell Steven Snell is the instructor for the Community Needs and Interests course in TSCI. For the past two years, he has served as the superintendent of Liberty Hill ISD, currently the fastest growing district in the Austin area. Overall, Steven has 27 years in public education and 24 years as a campus and district administrator. He has served the communities of Amarillo, Brazosport, Hutto, Spring Hill, and Liberty Hill. He has a wide range of administrative experience including campus administration at elementary, middle, and high school, and served as an Assistant Superintendent in Hutto ISD before becoming the Superintendent of Spring Hill ISD in Longview. He is in his 6th year as superintendent. He also serves on the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) Executive Committee, representing ESC 13.
	Becky Estrada Becky Estrada is the instructor for the Budget and Resource Allocation course in TSCI. She is currently serving as the Chief Financial Officer for the Lackland Independent School District on Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. She has served as the Assistant Superintendent for Finance at Southside Independent School District in San Antonio for 8 years and has been involved in public education since 1976. Becky has also earned the designation of Registered Texas School Business Administrator through TASBO.
	Keith McBurnett Keith McBurnett is the instructor for the District Culture course in TSCI. He is in his 10th year of serving as superintendent for Burnet CISD. In his 28 year career in public education, his service includes public school teacher; assistant principal; principal; and numerous central office positions including executive director, assistant superintendent, chief academic officer, and deputy superintendent. Under his leadership, Burnet CISD was named the 2015 HEB Excellence in Education Small School District Award winner. In 2018, McBurnett was recognized as the Burnet Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year.
	Terry Smith, Ed.D. Dr. Terry Smith is the instructor for the Political and Legal Issues course in TSCI. He has served the education community in the State of Texas for 35 years and currently works with school districts on school finance issues related primarily to property tax agreements, school board training, planning, group facilitation, and efficiency reviews. Smith previously spent 20 years working for Texas Education Service Centers. He served as Executive Director for Education Service Centers, Region 13 (ESC-13) in Austin and Region 20 (ESC-20) in San Antonio. During his tenure, each ESC was recognized as an Outstanding Workplace.
	Celina Estrada Thomas, Ph.D. Dr. Celina Estrada Thomas is the instructor for the Implementing and Supporting Instruction course in TSCI. She is in her 38th year of service and 4th year as superintendent of Hutto ISD. In her second year as superintendent, she organized and garnered enough community support to pass one of the largest bonds in the history of the district to keep up with growth demands. Under her leadership, the district expanded dual-language programs into the secondary level, expanded CTE programs at the middle and high school levels, and increased the counselor contact time by decreasing student to counselor ratios.
	Jeff Conovan Jeff Conovan is the instructor for the Facilities Planning and Management course in TSCI. He retired after 29 years in education to use his tools to serve those in need and influence those that lead. He consults and trains district and campus leaders all across Texas. Jeff has trained or consulted with administrators in over 70 school districts and charter schools. He served as a campus principal and in a couple of different executive director roles. He specializes in leadership training and closing gaps for students that struggle with academics and behavior.
	Rhonda McWilliams, Ed.D. Dr. Rhonda McWilliams is the instructor for the Human Resource Management course in TSCI. She has 16 years of campus leadership experience. Furthermore, she has 13 years of Central Office leadership as Area Superintendent, Chief HR Officer, Director of Secondary Education, and Executive Director Student Affairs in Pflugerville, Fort Bend, and Alief ISDs. She is also an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Education at Concordia Texas University. Rhonda recently servied as Interim Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources in Waco ISD during the 2019-2020 school year.
	Dr. Charles Dupre Dr. Charles Dupre has served Fort Bend ISD as superintendent since April 2013. Under Dr. Dupre’s leadership, Fort Bend ISD has developed a culture of care, safety, and inclusion and built a strong foundation for success, with a focus on educating the whole child and ensuring all students have equitable access to the instructional program. Fort Bend ISD was awarded the 2018 H-E-B Excellence in Education Award as the best school district in the large district category. Dr. Dupre previously led Pflugerville ISD. He has twice been recognized as a state finalist for TASB Superintendent of the Year. In this season of his career, Dr. Dupre is dedicated to developing school and district leaders who are committed to leading with authenticity, integrity, and equity.
	Steve Flores Steve Flores is the instructor for the Organizational Development course in TSCI. A lifelong champion for children, Dr. Steve Flores most recently served as the Superintendent of Schools for the Round Rock Independent School District, the 21st largest school district in Texas with more than 51, 000 students and 55 campuses. Before coming to Round Rock in 2013, Dr. Flores led the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District in the Rio Grande Valley as Superintendent for five years. He also spent several years in the Dallas Independent School District, serving as Area Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, and Chief of Staff.