Tia Lites

Dr. Tia Lites is currently the Upper Elementary School Principal at Prospect Hill Academy Charter School in Somerville, MA. She formally restructured and served as Principal of the only Historically Black College/ University schematically themed Middle School in its District. In addition to her School Leadership, Tia is an Adjunct Professor, specializing in Race, Equity, and Trauma Informed Teaching. In 2021, Tia founded "Dr.LitesProEd.com" to support culturally proactive Educators based on her professional practice using the Culturally Responsive School Leadership Framework within her own leadership experience.

Tia is a Newton Public Schools graduate (Class of 2001) and former METCO Student. Upon graduation, she was awarded a Presidential Scholarship to Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC, where she earned her BA in Communication Arts & Marketing. In 2005, Tia was inducted into Alpha Kappa Mu National Honors Society. With her HBCU undergraduate experience complete, she returned to Massachusetts and earned a Master of Business Management from Cambridge College (2007) and a Master of Education from Lesley University (2010). Tia earned her Doctorate in Education in 2020; her defense was based on extensive research and qualitative data analyzing the positive outcomes for inner city Black students in urban schools where there are Black Principals or Vice Principals leading. Through her doctoral experience, she developed a firm background in the Culturally Responsive School Leadership Framework which disseminates how to lead educational change by reflection, culturally responsive teaching and learning strategies, inclusive school practices, and differentiated engagement methods to meet all school stakeholders.

Her devotion is advancing successful, evidence-based practices in teaching and learning for students by fostering academic advancement pathways, creating a professional development pipeline designed to promote pedagogical experimentation, and designing creative delivery methods for quality instructional practices. In continuation of her work in education, she currently holds a position on the Think Kids Advisory Council and the Think Kids DEI Board Council through Mass General Hospital, as well as a member of the Anna Faith Jones & Frieda Garcia Women of Color Leadership Circle through the Boston Women's Fund Boston Foundation. Tia is also a proud 2022 and 2023 SXSW (South By Southwest) Presenter and Mentor addressing culturally proactive school leadership and dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline.