Tinishia Legaux Washington

Tinishia Legaux is the Director of the Urban Teacher Education Program (UTEP) at the University of Chicago, where she leads efforts to support and develop equity-minded educators across Chicago. As part of this work, she oversees the UTEP Induction Program, which provides individualized coaching, professional development, and community support for new teachers in their first years in the classroom. Under her leadership, UTEP is expanding its programming to support teachers throughout their careers—with the ultimate goal of sustaining impactful teaching and improving retention in urban schools.

Prior to her director role at UTEP, Tinishia taught the yearlong Math methods and content coursework and was an advisor and clinical supervisor for the UTEP Foundations Year. Tinishia continues to stay connected to schools by supporting K–8 teachers in implementing the district’s Skyline math curriculum. Her work focuses on helping educators strengthen their practice, stay connected to their purpose, and build classroom communities where all students can thrive.

With over 20 years of experience in education—from her start as a CPS classroom teacher to leadership roles in University of Chicago Charter Schools and teacher preparation—Tinishia brings deep expertise and a strong commitment to educational equity. She holds an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from National Louis University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Columbia College, and a B.A. in Rehabilitation Services and Psychology from Southern University.