Co-Teachers Supporting Adolescent ELLs in Classrooms

Abstract

This project intends to support general education teachers, English Language Learner (ELL) teachers, and administration in addressing the achievement gap and facilitating the success of ELLs succeed in our schools. The ELL student population is expected to continue to grow in the United States, as are the demands for integrated strategies and methods within our classrooms. Educators are not adequately prepared to meet the increasing ELL population’s needs, and administration is lacking proper support systems within their schools to address the needs of teachers and students. One of the most significance means of supporting ELLs is through coteaching and co-planning approaches. In this project, a professional development seminar is designed to help teachers establish effective co-teaching and co-planning practices. Professional development also enforces that our administration understanding concepts outside of their field of expertise as well. These solutions will help to fulfill the needs of our ELLs as our teachers are able to exchange and implement ideas that can be used during instructional time. Furthermore, teachers will learn to reflect on strategies that did and did not work during instruction so that they may strengthen and adjust their lessons to meet the varying needs of our students.