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B-SEAL for Multilingual Learners

We are currently in our 3rd cohort. We will be recruiting for B-SEAL's final cohort in September 2024. If interested, join our mailing list.

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About the Program

Building Secondary Educator and Administrator Leadership (B-SEAL) for Multilingual Learners is an 18-month program that prepares teams of high school teachers and leaders to serve the academic and socioemotional needs of Multilingual Learners (also known as English Language Learners), one of the country’s most diverse and fastest growing groups of students. Building on the work of the Multilingual Learner Project (MLP), this program is designed by scholars and instructional specialists from The City College of New York and New Visions for Public Schools to support the literacy development and achievement of Multilingual Learners across content areas.

The program provides teachers with a unique opportunity to earn either a New York State certification in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) or a Bilingual Extension, at almost no out-of-pocket cost to participants. The program provides school leaders with professional development hours in a Professional Learning Community (PLC), to understand the needs of MLs and to program for them more effectively.

There are limited spaces available; teachers and school leaders who are interested in this opportunity should form a team immediately and begin assembling their application materials.

Learn more about B-SEAL’s benefits for schools and teachers. The program is currently in its 3rd Cohort and resources are available!

 

“I found the coaching sessions to be so transformative. [The coach] provided me with so much knowledge and support throughout this entire process.” Secondary teacher, Cohort 1

What are the benefits to teachers?

Additional certification – Teachers have the opportunity to earn an additional and increasingly sought-after teaching certificate (TESOL or Bilingual Extension)

Instructional support – Teachers receive ongoing individual and team-based support from ML specialists during the 2023-2024 school year.

Funding – The program covers the cost of tuition and fees, estimated at a value of approximately $8,500. Teachers will earn 13 graduate credits.

 

What are the benefits to leaders?

Collaboration with peers – Leaders will participate in a Professional Learning Community (PLC) to support multilingual learners by building a bilingual approach, either through developing a bilingual program or through the implementation of the Seal of Biliteracy. The PLC meets nine times a year with in-person and online components.

Teaming support – Leaders participate in an in-person, school-based professional learning community with the B-SEAL participating teachers during monthly site visits with the B-SEAL coach. In this PLC, leaders and teachers learn to analyze classroom-level literacy data to inform instruction.

Participation in the PLCs count toward the 175 hour Professional Development Requirement for renewal.

Eligibility

  • Teachers must be teaching in a NYC secondary school.
  • Teachers must have initial or professional certification, and will choose whether to earn TESOL certification or a Bilingual Extension.
  • To pursue the Bilingual Extension, teachers must be bilingual and biliterate in another language.

Program Timeline

Teachers begin the program in January 2023 by taking two online graduate courses in the spring semester. In the summer, participating school leaders join a virtual, cross-school Professional Learning Community while teachers take their third course, also online. In the fall of the following school year, teachers complete their graduate coursework, begin the practicum and participate in in-school, team-based professional learning communities, facilitated by ML specialists.