Welcome to the Baker Teacher Leader Center's (BTLC) new quarterly newsletter!

What is the Baker Teacher Leader Center and Teacher Leader Certificate?

The Baker Teacher Leader Center (BTLC) offers two important services. 

First, the BTLC provides innovative and evidence-based professional development for pre-service and in-service educators. 

Second, the BTLC oversees the Teacher Leader Certificate. The Teacher Leader Certificate is a required program for University of Iowa pre-service teachers. Through completing the Teacher Leader Certificate, our pre-service teachers attend workshops, engage in collaborative learning, and complete volunteer work in educational settings. This certificate empowers our pre-service teachers to become confident leaders both inside and outside the classroom.

Teacher Leader Certificate Tracks

There are eight Teacher Leader Certificate track options. Our pre-service teachers only need to select one. Students enrolled in the TEP program can access their Tracker to learn more.

Track Options:

  • Interdisciplinary Studies (IS)
  • UI REACH
  • Multilingual Learner (ML)
  • Social, Emotional, Behavioral Mental Health (SEBMH)
  • Advanced Academics and Talent Development (AATD)
  • Dyslexia (D)
  • Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts/Design, and Math (STEAM)
  • Global Opportunities (GO) 
workshop presentation
Candidate working with student

Staff Spotlight - Meet Lisa Bunn

Lisa Bunn

If you are a student in the TEP Lisa Bunn should be on your short list of helpful contacts! Bunn is the administrative services specialist for the BTLC. Some of her main tasks in this role are supporting Hawkeye pre-service teachers with the Teacher Leader Certificate programming and other professional development opportunities that the BTLC offers internally and externally. Her typical day centers around helping students with their questions related to their certificate, organizing and hosting BTLC workshops, monitoring attendance, auditing student’s workshop attendance and volunteer experience completion. 

Before working in the BTLC, Bunn worked for the Muscatine Community School District for over 30 years. During her time with the district, she provided critical support to administration, teachers, staff, parents, and the community. Additionally, she worked with pre-service teachers with their job applications, hiring process ,and onboarding. She also aided teachers in managing their portfolios for re-licensure, contracts, and advancement on the salary schedule. 

Throughout Bunn's career, she has displayed a passion for education, enriching others' lives to the best of her ability. She believes educators change lives and is emphatically committed to being a forever fan and cheerleader for public educators.

Bunn's Work Favorites

  • Our team. It truly is one of the best that I have ever worked with. Everyone cares about each other and the students! 
  • The ability to help others fills my bucket—from helping students with questions they may have or when problems arise and finding solutions to help students be successful. 
  • I’m a geek and love a good spreadsheet! Determining formulas in Excel that will make my work life more efficient makes me giddy! Ilove looking at processes and determining efficient ways to do all the things!

Bunn's Life Favorites

  • Yoga
  • Walking
  • Reading (all genres except super scary literature)
  • Chocolate
  • A good night’s sleep

Upcoming Workshop Highlights

Please register in advance.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Supporting Yourself and Others in K-12 Education
Learn about imposter syndrome, particularly within the context of K-12 education and steps you can take to combat imposter syndrome and foster a more confident, balanced professional mindset.
02/17/25, 5 - 6pm

Top Three AI Tools Every Teacher Should Know
Discover the top three AI-powered tools transforming teaching and learning today. This workshop will equip participants with practical skills and hands-on experience to create dynamic lesson plans in minutes, design activities that spark student curiosity, automate tedious tasks and improve productivity.
02/19/25, 4:30 - 5:15pm
03/12/25, 4:30 - 5:15pm

The Pedagogies of Teaching, Learning, and Assessing for Global Perspectives
This workshop is part of Global Opportunities. It will provide critical perspectives on global education and global citizenship education as a guiding principles, then, explore the pedagogical application by using UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals. 
02/20/25, 4 - 5pm

Creating an Inclusive Classroom
In this workshop, students will learn how to create a classroom environment where every student feels valued, respected and safe, while creating a sense of belonging and active engagement.
03/24/25, 5 - 6pm

LivingWorks Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
ASIST is a two-day interactive workshop in suicide first-aid. ASIST teaches participants to recognize when someone may have thoughts of suicide and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety. 
04/24/25 & 04/25/25, 8:30am

LivingWorks safeTALK
safeTALK prepares people to be more alert to suicide and to help persons with thoughts of suicide make safe connections. The intervention goal is that persons with thoughts of suicide connect with someone who will help them keep safe from suicide and access further support. 
02/24/25, 12:30 - 4:30pm
04/30/25, 12:30 - 4:30pm
06/09/25, 8:30am - 12:30pm