Adult and Community Learning Services (ACLS)

Massachusetts 2026-2027 Teaching Skills That Matter (TSTM) Academy

The 2026-2027 Teaching Skills That Matter (TSTM) Academy-Customized Approach is now open for enrollment.

Benefits of participation in the TSTM Academy:

  • For Teachers:
    • Create consistent teacher knowledge based on the core components of TSTM
    • Increase instructional rigor by adopting and adapting TSTM at all instructional levels
    • Integrate TSTM in the program's curriculum
  • For Directors:
    • Build capacity for teacher collaboration and leadership
    • Enhance teacher reflection and continuous professional learning

TSTM FY2026-2027 Academy will start in January, 2027. Below is the anticipated Academy schedule. Please note that the schedule is due to be adapted based on each participating program's needs.

Eligibility

ABE and ESOL teachers from Community Adult Learning Centers (CALC) and Adult Education in Correctional Institutions (AECI)

Number of Participants

Two to three programs. Depending on program size, programs participate with either their entire teacher team or a team of selected teachers. Small program teams may be combined in one cohort.

Start and End Dates

January 2027 – April 2027

Duration and Schedule

January 2027: Complete self-paced component (approximately 2 hours)

February–April 2027:

  • Learn TSTM content via 4 sessions of 2 hours each (online) (8 hours total)
  • Teach two lessons from the TSTM Toolkit
  • Work with an instructional coach

Note: The schedule of each cohort will be set in agreement with the selected participants.

Academy Session Location

Live sessions are remote with the possibility of some in-person if requested and if schedule allows.

Coaching

TSTM coaching is non-evaluative, collaborative, and reflective. TSTM coaches and teachers work together as peers to solve problems collaboratively, engage in deep meaningful conversations that help extend teacher's thinking, and use trust and teacher's expertise as the foundation for the coaching relationship. As part of this work, coaches visit the teacher's classes once during the coaching period (class visits are usually 30 minutes to one hour) and meet with the teacher for 30 minutes before the visit and 30 minutes after the visit to debrief. Coaching is conducted in person or remote depending on the teacher's type of class (in person or remote).

Expectations for Participating Teachers

  • Complete self-paced component

  • Participate in 4 online sessions

  • Teach 2 lessons from the TSTM Toolkit

  • Be observed by a coach once and meet with the coach before and after the observation

Expectations for Program Leaders

  • Familiarize themselves with the TSTM framework and parts of the TSTM Toolkit by completing the TSTM self-paced component

  • Oversee and allow flexibility for TSTM integration and coaching at their program

  • Promote the learning, growth, and success of all staff by cultivating a shared vision that makes TSTM the central focus of curriculum and instruction

  • Ensure an effective learning environment and dedicated resources to implement and sustain TSTM

  • Ensure participating staff are compensated for their time accordingly

Application Information

Programs considering participation in the TSTM Academy-Customized Approach can email their interest to Dana Varzan-Parker , TSTM state lead, by October 30, 2026.

Last Updated: August 5, 2026

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