The Rice Center for Education, part of the Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies, has announced a new partnership with Teach For America Houston to provide early childhood-third grade (EC-3) teacher certification to members of TFA Houston’s teaching corps beginning in fall 2026.
The collaboration will launch with Teach For America Houston’s 35th anniversary cohort and is designed to strengthen the preparation of early childhood educators serving Houston-area schools. Through Rice’s EC-3 alternative teacher certification program, Teach For America members will receive specialized training focused on the developmental, instructional and literacy needs of children from prekindergarten through third grade.
“High-quality early childhood education lays the foundation for long-term academic success,” said Brenda Rangel, assistant dean for the Center for Education. “By partnering with Teach For America Houston, Rice is expanding access to a rigorous, practice-based certification pathway that equips teachers with the specialized skills needed to support young learners during these critical years.”
Rice’s EC-3 alternative teacher certification program is a 15-month, university-based pathway that combines intensive coursework with extensive classroom experience. Participants complete 315 hours of professional education coursework and 50 hours of classroom observation, and they serve as full-time, salaried teachers of record in Houston-area schools. Small class sizes, faculty mentorship and robust field support ensure candidates deepen their practice, build specialized skills and expand the impact they are already making in their classrooms.
“Investing in early childhood education is one of the most powerful ways we can change life trajectories,” said Tiffany Cuellar Needham, executive director for Teach For America Houston. “By partnering with Rice University on EC-3 certification, Teach For America Houston is ensuring that our educators are equipped with deep, research-based expertise and practical tools to support young learners at the moments that matter most. Together, we are strengthening the pipeline of exceptional early childhood educators who can deliver high-quality instruction, build strong foundations and expand opportunity for children across our region.”
The EC-3 certification is a relatively new credential in Texas and offers a more focused approach to early childhood education than the traditional EC-6 certification. The program reflects growing recognition that early childhood educators require specialized preparation to meet the unique academic and developmental needs of young children.
“This partnership aligns with our mission to develop educators who are prepared to lead in classrooms and beyond,” said Robert Bruce, dean of the Glasscock School. “Together with Rice, we are investing in our corps members and the students they serve by providing a certification pathway grounded in research, practice and community partnership.”
The partnership represents a new collaboration between Rice and Teach For America Houston in recognition of their long-standing commitment to high-quality teacher preparation at a time of increased attention to teacher certification with the passing of HB2 in the 2025 Texas Legislature, intended to increase the state’s number of fully certified teachers. Research from Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research has highlighted the need for more specialized training for early childhood teachers across Texas — a need the EC-3 certification is designed to address.
The Rice Center for Education serves as a hub for translating educational theory into practice through preK-12 outreach and impact. Through its integrated programs, including Rice Education, the Center for College Readiness and School Literacy and Culture, the center advances teaching and learning in partnership with Houston-area schools, educators and communities.
About Teach For America Houston
Teach For America Houston works in partnership with local districts and charter schools to expand educational opportunities for children. Founded in Houston in 1991, Teach For America recruits and develops a diverse corps of outstanding leaders who commit to teaching in high-need schools and become lifelong leaders in the effort to provide all students an excellent education. Today, TFA Houston includes more than 2,000 alumni, corps members and Ignite fellows who collectively teach over 31,000 students each day and influence the lives of more than 80,000 students across the Houston area. Teach For America is a proud member of the AmeriCorps national service network. Learn more at https://www.teachforamerica.org/houston.
About the Rice Center for Education
The Rice Center for Education serves as the engine for theory-to-practice pre-K through 12 outreach and impact at Rice University. Built on collaborative partnerships among clinical education faculty, Houston education practitioners and Rice researchers, the center advances knowledge related to teaching and learning with the goal of positively impacting public schools across the Houston metropolitan area. Learn more at https://centerforeducation.rice.edu/.