Cohort 1, Asynchronous Course

15 PDPs

Optional $75 for course credit through Worcester State University

Course Instructor: Alicia Serafin

Alicia Serafin currently teaches English as a Second Language in the Wilmington Public Elementary Schools in Massachusetts and is certified as an Elementary Classroom Teacher as well as an ESL Supervisor/Director. She previously taught Sheltered English Immersion in Everett Public Schools and English as a Second Language in Melrose and Salem Public Schools. She is also a DESE-approved Professional Development Provider who focuses on 15 PDPs in ESL courses. Alicia graduated from Cornell University with a BA in French and received her MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management and Masters of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language from Salem State University.

Course Description:
This online 15 PDP ESL course involves 4 (approximately 2-hour) weekly self-paced modules. After finishing the 4 weekly modules, participants will have an additional week to complete the other 7 hours of the course by developing a Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) Lesson Plan to synthesize learning from the reading and modules.

This 15 hour course fulfills the requirement that all educators must have 15 PDPs related to English as a Second Language when they recertify every 5 years. The instructor is a DESE-approved PD provider.

How will students analyze complex texts across content areas while we meet their broad range of needs in all educator roles in our K-12 teaching environments? Research demonstrates that students greatly benefit from consistent use of graphic organizers. Participants will work with two research-based, visual comprehension strategy tools, top-down webs and two-column notes. These 2 graphic organizers support all our students to comprehend higher-level concepts and assist ELs to work at a higher level while still building their academic vocabulary. Course topics to be covered include top-down web and two-column notes skills and application, Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) strategies, and review of lesson examples aligned with Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. Participants will share best practices, plan, and design scaffolded lessons that they can implement right away. The final assignment of the development of a Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) Lesson Plan synthesizes the module learning, incorporating course applications and takeaways from online reading. How can we provide our students consistent support for learning in a dynamic environment?

IMPORTANT CANCELLATION POLICY: All cancellations are subject to a $25 cancellation fee. A full refund, less the $25 cancellation fee, will be provided if the cancellation is made prior to the start of the second class. After the second class, no refund will be processed.