Grant to Fund ESL Development For Teachers

The public forum will be held on the IUPUI campus.

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded a $2.75 million grant aimed at improving the development of English as a Second Language teachers to the IUPUI School of Education. The five-year grant will allow educators to complete ESL certification and leadership academies.

Annela Teemant, associate professor in second language education at IUPUI, is leading the work supported by the grant. The university says educators will also be able to engage in coach preparation and individual, peer and team coaching. The funding will also allow parents, families and community members to participate in school-based equity projects and regional conferences.

The grant will include partnerships with three central Indiana school districts as well as the Global Preparatory Academy in Indianapolis.

"We don’t need incremental changes; we need radical change in how we engage students in learning and welcome families and communities into our schools," Teemant said in a news release. "This funding allows me to implement a districtwide English-learner agenda for change that impacts institutional practices and all teachers."

IUPUI says among the professional development offerings will be "workshops focused on pedagogy, culturally responsive curriculum development, teacher leader development and team coaching."