Dr. Amber Lynn Diaz
TPI-US REVIEWER
Dr. Amber Lynn Diaz is a reviewer with TPI-US, supporting educator preparation programs nationwide. She currently serves as a Director at Charles Butt Foundation, where she leads the transformation of high-quality teacher preparation programs across Texas through the Foundation's Raising Texas Teachers initiative. Driven by a deep commitment to educational equity and servant leadership, Dr. Diaz champions the belief that every student, especially those from traditionally marginalized backgrounds, deserves access to exceptional educators who can ignite their love for learning and empower their agency.
With over two decades of experience spanning the entire education ecosystem, Dr. Diaz brings a unique perspective to teacher preparation transformation. Her journey began in the classroom, where she spent 15+ years in public education serving as an elementary teacher, English-Language Learners specialist, Response to Intervention Supervisor, and Elementary Administrator in Killeen ISD. She later served as Director of Intervention & At-Risk in Copperas Cove ISD, leading comprehensive district programs for 504, Dyslexia, At-Risk students, Bilingual & ESL services, Response to Intervention, and Guidance Counseling - directly impacting thousands of students from high-need populations. This deep K-12 foundation informed Dr. Diaz's transition to higher education, where she has become a recognized leader in teacher preparation innovation. At Texas A&M University-Central Texas, she served as Director of Educator Preparation Services and Certification Officer while teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels. In this role, she gained intimate knowledge of Texas's education ecosystem, fueling her passion for systemic change in how we prepare teachers.
Dr. Diaz's expertise in teacher preparation transformation has been sought by leading organizations nationwide. She has served as a Curriculum Coach for US PREP and Continuous Improvement Coach for Branch Alliance for Educator Diversity, bringing evidence-based practices to improve teacher preparation programs. As Department Head of Curriculum and Instruction at Tarleton State University, she continued her work of elevating educator preparation through innovative program design and continuous improvement implementation. She has experience leading large-scale transformation in residency models, practice-based instruction, performance based assessment, curriculum mapping, building P-20 partnerships, and continuous improvement frameworks in higher education.
Dr. Diaz holds a Doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, a Master of Education in Educational Administration from Texas A&M University-Central Texas, and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a minor in Multicultural Education from the University of Wyoming. Her educational journey reflects her lifelong commitment to understanding and serving diverse learners.
Guided by Paulo Freire's wisdom, "Education does not change the world, Education changes people. People change the world," Dr. Diaz continues to work tirelessly to ensure that every teacher enters the profession equipped with the knowledge, skills, and mindset needed to transform lives and communities.