The Oklahoma Professional Development Program is funded by a grant under Title III of the No Child Left Behind Act. It is a five-year project to provide professional development to teams of school administrators, teachers, and paraprofessionals on best practices for teaching English language learners (ELL). Throughout the five-year period courses will be offered to qualified teams of school personnel, who have or expect to have English language learners in their classrooms. The program services are integrated through a partnership between two institutions experienced in preparing teachers of English language learners, the University of Central Oklahoma and the University of Oklahoma, with the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the two largest urban districts in the state, the Oklahoma City Public Schools and the Tulsa Public Schools.
The goal is to increase the number qualified educational personnel serving English language learners in the state of Oklahoma.

The Program offers four courses: Beginning Spanish for Teachers, Sheltered Instruction Techniques for English Language Learners, Preparing for the ETS Paraprofessional Assessment and Using Technology to Adapt Your ESL Textbook.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

A Framework for Understanding Students from Poverty

This course will provide training that will revolutionize the way you relate to your students and parents of all economic classes.  The hidden rules that govern how each of us behaves in our social class prove to be a major stumbling block for individuals trying to function in a different social class.  Students from poverty often languish in classrooms run by members of middle class because of the rules that govern schools.  Participants will receive "eye-opening" information from the research and observations of Dr. Ruby K. Payne, Ph.D., and enhance their own abilities to help children of poverty succeed.  Topics include:

• How economic class affects behaviors and mind sets
• Why students from generational poverty fear being educated
• Discipline interventions
• How to work with ELLs from poverty
• And much more!

Beginning Spanish for Teachers

In Oklahoma it has become increasingly important for teachers to have a working knowledge of Spanish. This course is designed to help teachers communicate better with students and parents who are not fluent in English. Specifically, participants will learn enough Spanish to be successful in typical classroom situations such as:

• Greetings
• Giving directions
• Giving ot denying permission
• Correcting behavior
• Encouraging and praising children
• Communicating in parent-teacher conferences
• And much more!

In addition to small group instruction, participants will recieve a guide to basic Spanish pronunciation, a book with self-teaching units, four 90 minute cassettes with script, and more than 370 dialogue cards to serve as memory aids. Come learn in a stress-free and fun environment!!!

Sheltered Instruction Techniques for English Language Learners

Research has shown that that English Language Learners (ELL) improved their academic skills when their teachers implemented the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) model. SIOP is a research-based model of instruction guiding teachers in the use of specific strategies to teach content material to ELLs while promoting their English language development. This course is designed for teachers of ELLs to experience these effective approaches first-hand while learning the guidelines of planning sheltered lessons.

The curriculum includes professional development activities and techniques for presenting the SIOP model to teachers in a sustained staff development program. Participants will receive an SI trainer certificate, videos, books and resource materials that will help teachers teach content to English Language Learners.

What do former students say about us?

As I look back on my experience throughout the week, I am amazed how much valuable knowledge I gained. When I return to school I intend on initiating a training course for my co-workers.

Amy Shorter

I will specifically encourage teachers to attend this initiative if you offer it again.

Ann Burcham

Principal TPS

I learned how to apply the knowledge that I gained throughout my study of TESL.

Kevin Eddings

Make the course two weeks. This would enable more time on ideas and go over specific activities to do with stuff.

Debbie Adam

It (SIOP) is something that college teacher candidates should take…

Laura Hughes

This course has provided me with a wealth of information and usable examples for lesson and unit planning.

Cathleen Williams

It was exciting to be with a group of teachers and administrators who viewed working with  ELLs as a rewarding challenge instead of a burden.

Kelly Tison

I would not only recommend this class, but I would love to come again.

Loretta Gallo

I only wish more administrators and principals were aware of the SIOP model.

Dean Reusser

I have encouraged several of my co-workers to attend SIOP training as soon as possible.

Neva Mathis

I am certainly glad I gave up a week of summer vacation to attend.

Wilma Parrish

I am planning to have a voluntary study group using the SIOP book as a guide.

Becky Gilbert

This kind of learning remains steadfast.

Donna Williams

My sensitivity and awareness has been enlightened.

Jerri Larrison

Top of page