Alan Lee

Director, Teachers Institute of Philadelphia at University of Pennsylvania

Alan Lee is a significant figure in the field of education, particularly in Philadelphia. He served as the Director of the Teachers Institute of Philadelphia (TIP) at the University of Pennsylvania, playing a crucial role in the organization's early development and growth.1 2

Background and Contributions

Alan Lee, a veteran teacher from the School District of Philadelphia and a social science scholar, was recruited by Penn Professor Rogers Smith to bring the Institute model to Philadelphia in 2006.2 As the Planning Director and later Director of TIP, Lee was instrumental in:

Steering the program through its formative years
Recruiting a core group of dedicated teachers and faculty members
Establishing the foundation for TIP's success

Leadership and Impact

Under Alan Lee's guidance, TIP completed a highly successful pilot year, setting the stage for its future growth and impact on education in Philadelphia.3 His leadership was characterized by:

A strong commitment to improving public school teacher education
Fostering collaboration between the University of Pennsylvania and local schools
Implementing the Institute model effectively in the Philadelphia context

Legacy

Although Alan Lee is no longer the current director of TIP (as of 2024), his contributions have had a lasting impact on the organization. The current director, Dr. Edward M. Epstein, has built upon the foundation laid by Lee, expanding TIP's reach and influence in the Philadelphia education community.1

Alan Lee's work at TIP has been recognized as a significant factor in the organization's success, contributing to improved teacher education and, by extension, the quality of education for students in Philadelphia's public schools.4