At Chapman University’s Attallah College of Educational Studies, innovation and commitment to teacher preparation are at the core of our mission. In the 2023-24 academic year, I was selected as an Impact Academy Fellow with Deans for Impact, a national organization that is dedicated to ensuring that well-prepared teachers teach every child. As a Fellow, I joined a select group of 24 dean-level education leaders from across the United States in activities aimed to transform teacher preparation programs across the country. 

Tackling an Adaptive Challenge 

As an Impact Academy Fellow, I spent a week in residence in summer 2023 learning with my peers about teacher transformation efforts being undertaken nationwide. During the 2023-24 school year, each fellow engaged in monthly group and 1:1 virtual coaching sessions to develop and address an adaptive challenge specific to our local contexts, and we reconvened in person in summer 2024 for additional learning and sharing.  

I used my adaptive challenge as an opportunity to address a critical issue for teacher candidates at Chapman: ensuring they are successful on the California Teacher Performance Assessments (CalTPAs). The CalTPAs measure a candidate’s ability to plan, teach, assess, and reflect effectively, aligning with California’s rigorous teaching standards. 

Although candidates in Chapman’s teacher preparation programs consistently excel, by having a dedicated focus to the adaptive challenge through my Deans for Impact fellowship year, I was able to work with others and receive insight from national leaders to develop strategies that would empower both faculty and students in navigating the complexities of the CalTPAs. 

A Path to Success 

The adaptive solutions that I focused on during my fellowship year included: 

  • Data-Driven Interventions: Analyzing CalTPA data to identify patterns in candidate performance and strategically address areas of need. 
  • Enhanced Faculty Support: Strengthening professional development for faculty to ensure alignment between coursework and the performance expectations of the CalTPAs. 
  • Streamlined Candidate Preparation: Creating clearer, more accessible resources and practice opportunities for candidates, supported by staff and faculty. 
  • Fostering a Growth Mindset: Cultivating an environment where teacher candidates felt supported, encouraged, and empowered to grow through the assessment process. 

Outstanding Results 

By identifying these areas of focus and tailoring faculty and candidate supports, Chapman’s teacher candidates achieved an unprecedented 99% pass rate on the CalTPAs taken in the 2023-24 academic year. Reflecting on the experience and where we in Attallah College will go from here, I look forward to building on my Impact Academic experience to address future challenges through adaptive leadership, collaborative problem-solving, and evidence-based practices.