02/23/2022
Hello colleagues-
I’m reaching out to share an exciting new grant opportunity from the state that your school or district may be interested in. The Teacher Mentorship & Retention of Effective Teachers Grant will fund about $3 million in initiatives state-wide. Schools/districts can apply individually or as part of a group. Districts with teacher leadership models in place are a prime place for this opportunity.
As you know, the ELM Project is coming to a close in August of 2022. The model is currently transitioning to a more expansive platform through TESOL International Association under the name SWEL (School-Wide English Learning). They are the same professional organization that published our book Teacher Leadership for School-Wide English Learning in 2020. This is exciting news because the reach will be far greater, the training will be more comprehensive, and completers will earn an official certificate and badge from TESOL.
The SWEL Certificate series includes three workshops. It is a fee-for-service model which is why the teacher mentorship grant couldn’t have come at a better time! Your school/district can apply to train teachers who are new to this model of teacher leadership (formerly ELM and now SWEL) or those who have already trained with ELM. There are options to participate online in a global cohort or on-site/face-to-face per arrangements with TESOL International.
Universities aren’t able to apply but schools districts, groups of school districts, or even groups of teachers are eligible to submit an application for funding. If you would like to request funds to train SWEL teacher leaders, check out the tips below.
If your school/district partnered with Hamline University on the English Learners in the Mainstream Project, be sure to mention that in your application. The ELM Project is a National Professional Development grant through the Office of English Language Acquisition at the US Department of Education and the SWEL Certificate represents how the work of ELM expands and continues..
In your narrative, mention that you will use funds for the following activities:
“Provide grants supporting licensed and non-licensed educator participation in professional development, such as workshops and graduate courses, related to increasing student achievement for students of color and American Indian students.” This activity would refer to registering licensed ESL teachers for the SWEL certificate workshops with TESOL International Association.
“Pay a stipend to a mentor who may be a current or former teacher who has taught at least three years and is not on an improvement plan. Please explain how the mentoring program is included in or aligned with districts’ teacher evaluation and peer review processes under sections 122A.40, subdivision 8, and 122A.41, Subdivision 5.” This activity would refer to providing a stipend to SWEL coaches AND general education teachers who work with them to support ELs in the general education classroom.
“Provide additional stipends as an incentive to mentors of color or who are American Indian. Please explain how the mentoring program is included in or aligned with districts’ teachers 5 Minnesota Professional Educators Licensing and Standards Board document evaluation and peer review processes under sections 122A.40, subdivision 8, and 122A.41, subdivision 5.” This activity would refer to an additional stipend for BIPOC SWEL coaches and general education teachers who work with them to support ELs in the general education classroom.
PELSB will host an informational session at 4:30pm on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 for those who are able to attend. See information below:
How to Join the Meeting
Meeting Link
WebEx Meeting number: 2496 146 6971
Password: TMRG23
Please let us know if you have any questions or if you would like to connect you with other schools/districts wanting to partner on one application.
