UT Tyler, Lindale ISD Partner to Enhance Educational Opportunities for District
November 6, 2025 | Beverley Golden
The University of Texas at Tyler has partnered with Lindale Independent School District to provide discounted tuition
rates for district employees wishing to pursue advanced degrees at UT Tyler.
UT Tyler is focusing on teacher education and how the university can help address the teacher shortage in East Texas and the state.
“Educators shape the future,” said UT Tyler President Julie V. Philley, MD. “We’re dedicated to empowering them with the resources and pathways they need to grow, lead and strengthen the future of education.”
This partnership is intended to strengthen the Lindale ISD district by making educational opportunities more accessible and affordable for its teachers and administrators.
"I am super excited about the partnership with UT Tyler, where we have created pathways for our aides and paraprofessionals to become cerified teachers and for our teachers to earn a master's degree to advance their careers," said Stan Surrat, Superintendent of Lindale ISD. "Through our partnership with UT Tyler, Lindale ISD is investing in the future of our staff, empowering educators to advance their careers, expand their knowledge, and continue making a lasting impact on our students and community."
The UT Tyler School of Education will work with Lindale ISD 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 online to accommodate working educators. To learn more, visit uttyler.edu.
With a mission to improve educational and health care outcomes for East Texas and beyond, UT Tyler offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 11,500 students. Through its alignment with UT Tyler Health Science Center and UT Health East Texas, UT Tyler has unified these entities to serve Texas with quality education, cutting-edge research and excellent patient care. Classified by Carnegie as a doctoral research institution and by U.S. News & World Report as a national university, UT Tyler has campuses in Tyler, Longview, Palestine and Houston.