Newcomer Program with ESL Certification: DISD Middle & High School Teachers

Objective of Program:

To address the needs of at-risk newcomer adolescent students by developing, delivering, and evaluating professional development for educators who teach in schools with high concentrations of ELL newcomer students. Teachers in the program will gain ESL certification and extend their knowledge of effective pedagogy and research-based principles for the teaching of minority students of diverse linguistic and ethnic background.

Click here for a printable PDF version of the application or call 214-768-2184 or send an email to bilingualed@smu.edu.

In order to apply to the program and scholarship:

• Currently have a teaching position with the Dallas Independent School District in grades 6-12 and
• Hold 4-8 or 8-12 teacher certification in the State of Texas in an area other than ESL.

Applicants must provide the following:

·        Official transcript showing the following (must be mailed directly from the Institution):

Undergraduate degree status

An overall GPA of 3.00

• Transcripts from countries outside the USA must be accompanied by an official evaluation of the transcript by a recognized U.S. evaluation agency.
• One letter of recommendation from your principal or supervisor.
• $75.00 non-refundable application fee payable to SMU when scholarship is awarded.

The program consists of four graduate courses: 

EDU 6317: Culture and Community in Education
EDU 6320: Language Teaching Research, Theory, & Practice
EDU 6390: Classroom Instruction & Assessment for Language Learners
EDU 6313: Spanish for Teachers (for non-Spanish speakers)
EDU 6315:  Diverse Learners (for Spanish speakers)

Summer Immersion Program (no credit): Qualified participants recommended for the Spanish immersion program will live with a host family and attend language classes for five hours a day.  Students will engage in cultural and academic activities focusing on math and science concepts.

SMU Summer Institute (no credit):  Teachers will participate in a three day workshop held at SMU campus.  This event will bring teachers, parents/community members and newcomer students to work collaboratively to develop new lessons, encourage parental involvement, and draft resources for community support for their classrooms. 

Test preparation for ESL Supplemental Certification (no credit):  The program will offer two test preparation workshops to further assist participants for the ESL Supplemental Certification exam required by SBEC..