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DKG Practice/Program

Collaborative Program Between

Chapter and Local University:

Training in Working with

Multilingual Learners

By Mary Kevorkian

In early 2020, two members of Alpha Chapter of Texas State Organization were discussing the need for
new ideas for the chapter. Specifically, they discussed the concept of organizing and planning a training
for students or teachers. Ultimately, the two decided that contacting the University of Texas (UT)
U-Teach Liberal Arts program would be an important first step. U-Teach is a professional high-school-
teacher preparation program for University of Texas at Austin undergraduates and post-baccalaureate
students planning to teach English, languages other than English, or social studies. The students have
field experiences in local area schools that provide an excellent glimpse into the world of teaching.
Because this was the time that all schools were about to be closed due to COVID-19, professors from
U-Teach and four Alpha Chapter members (including Dr. Rosemary Morrow, a retired U-Teach faculty
member) began to work together via Zoom to plan and organize training for preservice students. The
U-Teach faculty suggested the topic of “Working with Multilingual Learners.” They noted that school
districts are experiencing an ever-increasing growth in numbers of English language learners and that
teachers, especially new teachers, must be prepared to meet this need. Accordingly, the goal of the initiative
was to provide staff development training concentrating on strategies and methods for teaching content and
concepts to students who are non-English speakers or who have limited proficiency in the language.

Planning and Implementing Texas Educational Foundation (ASTEF). The

The original plan was to provide a training mission statement says, “The purpose of ASTEF
session on the UT campus. However, in 2020 and is to provide funding for activities that support
2021, the pandemic required a change of plans. All professional and personal growth of women
planning and facilitating were done via Zoom. In educators in Texas and promote educational
addition to planning meetings, chapter member Dr. excellence for Texas students.” Alpha Chapter
Karen Duke served as liaison and met frequently received an ASTEF grant in support of the project
with a U-Teach faculty member to facilitate with U-Teach in two successive years, 2020 and
communication. 2021. The second was a new grant created to
In 2020, the workshop was presented on two celebrate the 10th anniversary of ASTEF, so we
Saturday mornings. In 2021, the workshop was were the first recipients.
delivered on one Saturday. Each was provided via The 2020 grant provided $1,500, and the
Zoom. A total of 23 students participated in the 2021 grant was $2,500. Additional funding for
workshops. the training program was provided by members'
donations. Expenses were $1,200 for two
Expenses and Funding presenters, $1,229 for textbooks (plus $14.95
Texas State Organization (TSO) of The per book for shipping), and $600 for gift cards.
Delta Kappa Gamma Society International has Shipping was required because the students were
formed a nonprofit foundation: Alpha State not on campus. The textbook was ELLs in Texas:

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