Temple University’s College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) is proud to contribute to public education through its partnership with the Teachers Institute of Philadelphia (TIP), a program that provides Philadelphia public school teachers with rigorous, university-level professional learning. TIP, an affiliate of the Yale National Initiative founded in 1978, was brought to Philadelphia in 2006 by University of Pennsylvania Professor Rogers Smith. The program has grown significantly over the years, with Temple’s involvement since 2018 helping to broaden its reach and create more opportunities for teachers across the city. Together, TIP and the CEHD work to deepen teachers’ content knowledge, promote inclusivity and foster student achievement through innovative curriculum development.
TIP Director Edward Epstein has expanded the program’s impact by launching the partnership with Temple and strengthening ties with the School District of Philadelphia. “Temple makes TIP stronger by adding new subject matter and expanding the geographic reach of the program,” Epstein shared. “Temple’s professors have had the opportunity to share their expertise with teachers, who have turned that knowledge into units of study for use in the classroom.”
Spring 2025 marked a significant milestone for Temple’s involvement in TIP as Wanda Brooks, literacy professor and chair of CEHD’s department of teaching and learning, joined the TIP faculty for the first time as a seminar leader. Brooks led “Diverse Children’s Literature: Literary Art, Cultural Artifact and Contested Terrain,” offering TIP fellows the opportunity to explore how children’s literature featuring traditionally underrepresented groups can foster inclusivity and equity in classrooms.
“Being part of TIP was both rewarding and inspiring,” Brooks shared. “As a seminar leader, I hoped to spark meaningful conversations about how children’s literature shapes students’ views of themselves and others. I also aimed to make scholarly research on the topic accessible and actionable.” Brooks added that the fellows developed new friendships and built a strong sense of community throughout their time together.
The spring 2025 cohort gathered on June 4 for a culminating celebration. Representing Temple’s CEHD, Kristie Newton, associate dean of educator preparation and P-12 partnerships, shared her enthusiasm for the semester’s accomplishments and highlighted the strong alignment between TIP and Temple’s strategic priorities.
“Temple University’s College of Education and Human Development supports the work that TIP does for many reasons, especially because it aligns closely with our own strategic action plan,” she shared. "Our priority areas of student success, curriculum and teaching, and community partnerships each connect directly to TIP’s mission.”
Speaking personally, Newton added, “When I first learned about the seminars, I found myself wondering what I might explore if I were to take part.” Inspired by the broad range of topics and their connections to K–12 curricula, she imagined the possibilities of a math-focused seminar.
Newton noted Brooks describes her work with the TIP seminar as a two-way street, learning from the participants as they learned from her and from each other. “I think those are the best kinds of partnerships,” she shared.
Through its continued involvement in TIP, Temple University’s College of Education and Human Development demonstrates its dedication to advancing public education and supporting teachers as they bring fresh, meaningful content to their classrooms.
Visit the TIP website for more information on upcoming seminars and workshops.