UT Tyler partners with Jacksonville ISD to help East Texas teacher shortage
Published 5:05 am Sunday, June 7, 2026
The University of Texas at Tyler formally partnered with Jacksonville ISD to provide discounted tuition rates for district employees wishing to pursue advanced degrees at UT Tyler on Friday.
Julie Philley, president of UT Tyler, said the university remains focused on teacher education and how its School of Education can help address the teacher shortage in East Texas and across the state.
“Welcoming Jacksonville ISD into our education partnership network reinforces our mutual commitment to advancing educational excellence throughout East Texas,” Philley said.
UT Tyler will work with the district to offer an accelerated master’s degree in educational leadership with principal certification, as well as special opportunities for other graduate degrees. These programs are offered 100% online to accommodate working professionals.
Brad Stewart, superintendent for Jacksonville ISD, said the partnership also strengthens the district by making educational opportunities more affordable and accessible for its administrators and teachers.
“As a UT Tyler alum, I’m excited for this partnership with the university. Furthering our employees’ education affects not only their personal lives but enhances their ability to continue to impact students,” Stewart said.
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Stewart said the partnership fits well into Jacksonville ISD’s mission of partnering with students, family and community to ensure a quality education by maintaining high expectations and providing a safe learning environment while developing citizens who are lifelong learners in an ever-changing, competitive world.
UT Tyler has similar graduate education and tuition-discount partnerships in place with Kilgore ISD, Chapel Hill ISD, Overton ISD, Whitehouse ISD and Bullard ISD.
For more information on UT Tyler, visit https://www.uttyler.edu/. For more information on Jacksonville ISD visit https://www.jisd.org/.