Ribbon Cutting for Longview Innovation Academy Campus

The UT Tyler Ingenuity Center will provide professional development for teachers

UT Tyler Holds Ribbon Cutting for Innovation Academy – Longview Campus. July 2012.

LONGVIEW — The University of Texas at Tyler and Longview Chamber of Commerce officials recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the university’s charter school in Longview. Dr. Michael Odell, associate vice president for sponsored research and director of federal relations, made the announcement.

The UT Tyler Innovation Academy, a university charter school with campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine, will focus on developing, implementing and disseminating new and promising practices in education. The school will open this fall for grades 3 – 6, ultimately serving students in grades 3 – 12.

“We are so excited about the opportunities that the campus of the Innovation Academy in Longview will bring,” said Eli Crow, academy executive director.

The UT Tyler Innovation Academy’s project-based learning environment emphasizes science, technology, engineering and mathematics elements. Through the connection with UT Tyler, students will have access to resources and opportunities not readily available in traditional public school settings. In addition, the academy and university will eventually enter a dual credit partnership, Crow said.

“We believe the planned dual credit offerings will further strengthen the university’s presence and provide new post-secondary offerings. UT Tyler is committed to offering college classes through the Longview University Center, and we believe that the Innovation Academy will only enhance this goal.”

The UT Tyler Ingenuity Center will provide professional development for teachers, he added.

“The Ingenuity Center has been developing several programs in Longview, and we believe that the presence of the Innovation Academy will help the university have an even stronger impact on public education for Longview and the surrounding areas,” Crow said.

As a state funded charter school, there is no tuition.

For more information about the UT Tyler Innovation Academy, contact Mandy Yates, administrative assistant, 903.705.4330 or innovationacademy@uttyler.edu or visit the academy website.