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EMPOWER Undergraduate Cohort FAQ:
Q: What is the EMPOWER Project?
A: A five-year grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of English Language Acquisition. It is a multi-pronged effort at Towson University, within the College of Education, and in the community, to serve an increasingly diverse student body by providing practical instruction and field-based support to teachers, as they work to support the achievement of English language learners and all culturally and linguistically diverse students.
Q: What are our goals?
A: Create a model set of schools to meet ELs’ linguistic, cultural and instructional needs, develop; implement and disseminate coursework for preservice educators in order to improve their readiness to serve ELs; and incorporate family and community engagement strategies across all areas of EMPOWER programming.
Q: What does the EMPOWER Undergraduate Cohort offer?
A: 12 fully funded credits in ESOL and Culturally Responsive Special Education , eligibility for ESOL endorsement on your teaching certification upon passing PRAXIS II examination in ESOL and completion of all 4 courses.
Q: Why get an endorsement in ESOL?
A: Over 20% of U.S. students speak a language other than English at home. Populations, especially in Maryland, are quickly becoming more diverse and teachers who can meet their needs are in high demand. You do not need to become an ESOL teacher with an ESOL endorsement. An ESOL endorsement can make you a BETTER elementary, middle-school, preschool, or special education teacher!
Q: How do the EMPOWER Undergraduate Cohort fellowship awards work?
A: Tuition, fees and books are funded by EMPOWER fellowship awards during summer and minimester. Participants receive stipends to offset living expenses; $1000 during Summer 2021 and $1000 after program and Praxis completion in January 2022. Please consult with the TU Scholarship Unit (410-704-2647) to determine financial aid and tax implications of scholarship and stipend aid.
Q: What is the program sequence?
A: COURSE 1: WINTER MINIMESTER 2021 (for Juniors) INTRO TO CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY RESPONSIVE EDUCATION
COURSES 2 AND 3: SUMMER 2021 (for students about to enter professional year) CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY RESPONSIVE INTERVENTIONS FOR DIVERSE LEARNERS AND ASSESSMENT ISSUES FOR DIVERSE LEARNERS
FIELD EXPERIENCE: SUMMER 2021 (may require transportation and may occur in Anne Arundel County Public Schools)
COURSE 4: WINTER MINIMESTER 2022 (for students midway through professional year) INTRODUCTION TO LINGUISTICS
ESOL PRAXIS: WINTER MINIMESTER 2022
Q: What TU majors is The EMPOWER Undergraduate Cohort now accepting applications from?
A: ECED, ELED, EESE, ECSE, SPED, SCED, and MSED
Q: What Community Colleges is the EMPOWER Undergraduate Cohort also inviting applications from?
A: AACC, CCBC, BCCC, HCC and other community colleges and transfer schools.
Q: What is involved?
A: Apply and be accepted to the EMPOWER cohort (separate from applying to your major). Your TU advisor MUST sign off on your application. Transfer students MUST meet with a TU program advisor before applying. Once accepted, register for, and complete, all required classes; make a good-faith effort to finish the program . Maintain good standing in your major and commit to taking the ESOL Praxis at the conclusion of your program. This is a MANDATORY requirement for receiving funding .
Q: What is the application timeline
A: Applications are accepted on a rolling priority basis beginning February 1, 2020. Acceptance letters will be sent on rolling basis. A funding agreement will be sent with acceptance letters and must be returned within 30 days to secure your place in cohort. All participants must be accepted into a TU teacher preparation program OR in good standing in a program where you will student teach in 2021-2022. Coursework begins Winter Minimester 2021
Apply Now
To learn more about the EMPOWER Undergraduate Cohort, you can watch our webinar PowerPoint presentation Interested students are invited to watch our information webinar presentation .
Interested? Questions? Contact Project Manager, Mrs. Danielle Turner at daturner@towson.edu , or fill out our interest form today.
