Stanford Teacher Education Program (STEP)

Background

The Stanford Teacher Education Program (STEP), housed within the Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE), is a rigorous 12-month, full-time program designed to prepare future teacher leaders at both elementary and secondary levels. The program integrates high-quality academic coursework with a full school year of field experience in public school placements, leading to a Master of Arts in Education and a preliminary California teaching credential. STEP emphasizes sensitivity to the family, community, and political contexts of education, focusing on the needs and development of diverse learners, and grounding instruction in subject matter that promotes inquiry, critical thinking, problem-solving, and high academic achievement.

Key Strategic Focus

STEP's strategic focus centers on:

Comprehensive Teacher Preparation: Combining theoretical knowledge with practical experience to equip teacher candidates for the complexities of modern classrooms.

Equity and Excellence: Committing to social justice by preparing educators who can address the needs of diverse student populations.

Leadership Development: Cultivating future leaders in education who can influence and improve educational practices and policies.

Financials and Funding

As an integral part of Stanford University, STEP benefits from the university's robust financial resources. Specific funding details for STEP are not publicly disclosed. However, the program's affiliation with Stanford ensures access to substantial endowments, grants, and philanthropic contributions that support its operations and initiatives.

Pipeline Development

STEP offers two primary pathways:

Elementary Education: Candidates engage in coursework and fieldwork designed to prepare them for teaching multiple subjects in elementary settings. The curriculum includes courses such as "Becoming Literate in School," "Quantitative Reasoning and Mathematics," and "Building Classroom Community."

Secondary Education: Candidates specialize in subject-specific teaching, with options in English, History-Social Science, Math, Science, or World Languages. The curriculum features courses like "Adolescent Development and Learning," "Secondary Teaching Seminar," and subject-specific Curriculum and Instruction classes.

Both pathways integrate academic coursework with extensive field experience, ensuring candidates are well-prepared for the teaching profession.

Technological Platform and Innovation

STEP leverages several innovative platforms and methodologies to enhance teacher education:

SCALE Science Curriculum: Supports student sense-making through project-based learning, aiding teachers in responding to student needs and instructional demands.

Science in the City: Provides a community for K-12 educators to explore resources and improve science teaching by focusing on the intersection of race, language, technology, and science learning.

shoMe: Place-Based Storytelling: An online course that teaches techniques for developing engaging, informative, multimedia stories, published through the shoMe platform.

Leadership Team

STEP's leadership comprises distinguished faculty members dedicated to advancing teacher education:

Ira Lit: Professor (Teaching) and STEP Faculty Director, specializing in elementary education and teacher development.

Ramon Martinez: Associate Professor, focusing on language and literacy education.

Antero Garcia: Associate Professor, with expertise in youth literacies and civic engagement.

Jo Boaler: Professor, renowned for her work in mathematics education and equity.

Michael Hines: Assistant Professor, specializing in the history of education and curriculum studies.

Christopher J. Lemons: Associate Professor, focusing on special education and literacy interventions.

Christina Krist: Associate Professor, with research interests in science education and learning technologies.

Jennifer Osuna: Associate Professor, specializing in mathematics education and teacher learning.

Jonathan Rosa: Associate Professor, focusing on sociolinguistics and education.

Farzana Tabitha Adjah: Assistant Professor, with expertise in educational psychology and learning sciences.

Leadership Changes

As of June 2025, there have been no significant recent changes in STEP's leadership team.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The teacher education market is characterized by a growing demand for well-prepared educators capable of addressing diverse classroom needs. Programs that integrate theory with practical experience and emphasize equity are particularly valued.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors include:

University of California, Irvine School of Education: Offers a Ph.D. in Education, a Master of Arts in Teaching with teaching credentials, and an undergraduate program in Education Sciences.

The New Teacher Project (TNTP): A non-profit organization focused on supporting underprivileged students by recruiting and training new teachers, designing evaluation systems, and retaining effective educators.

Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State University: Provides undergraduate and graduate programs in education, emphasizing teacher preparation, community service, and academic research.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

STEP collaborates with various educational institutions and organizations to enhance its programs:

Professional Development Schools: Partners with local schools to provide teacher candidates with real-world teaching experiences.

iSTEP Institute: Hosts a week-long institute each spring for teacher educators interested in learning more about STEP and envisioning enhancements to their own programs.

Operational Insights

STEP's strategic considerations include:

Integration of Theory and Practice: Ensuring that academic coursework is closely linked with field experiences to prepare candidates effectively.

Focus on Equity: Committing to social justice by preparing educators who can address the needs of diverse student populations.

Leadership Development: Cultivating future leaders in education who can influence and improve educational practices and policies.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

STEP is positioned to:

Expand Program Offerings: Develop new specializations and certifications to meet emerging educational needs.

Enhance Technological Integration: Leverage digital platforms to provide innovative teaching and learning experiences.

Strengthen Partnerships: Build deeper collaborations with schools and educational organizations to enrich field experiences and research opportunities.