Project LEADER
Preparing Next-Generation Leaders for the Diverse Schools of Tomorrow
What is Project Leader?
Project LEADER is a federally funded project aimed to improve teaching and learning by supporting creative and exemplary pedagogy and practices for English Learners (ELs). The project is a collaboration between St. John’s University and schools in New York City and surrounding school districts.
The project addresses the shortage of qualified and state certified school building leaders who have leadership expertise and certification in upgrading, reforming, and restructuring TESOL/bilingual programs. Leaders are needed who can implement effective literacy practices, including digital literacy, academic literacy, family literacy, and parental involvement strategies.
Participating teachers (project scholars) undertake a rigorous program to prepare for leadership positions that encourage them to assume more responsibility. They will also be prepared to serve as catalysts for positive change who can effectively respond to diversity needs in the schools in which they serve. Project scholars develop abilities to engage in school-based management; shared, data-based, decision-making; team building; parent, family, and community engagement; as well as conflict resolution, to improve the quality of education for ELs.
About Project LEADER
Project LEADER has the following goals:
- Improve the quantity and quality of potential school building leaders with strong backgrounds in TESOL, bilingual education, and school leadership.
- Improve instructional practices, policies, and student outcomes in the high-need schools with ELs.
- Promote data-driven literacy by providing families with literacy development activities, including digital literacy, to support their children’s academic achievement and reading development.
- Disseminate the best practices of bilingual and TESOL pedagogies for developing effective academic literacy, the latest educational technologies, team building, collaboration, decision-making, conflict resolution, mentoring, and site-based management.
How many courses do I need to complete?
Project LEADER is a 12-course online program with 22 credits in SBL and 15 credits in TESOL or in the Bilingual Education extension and will take approximately 2.5 years to complete.
Generous Tuition Assistance
A tuition assistance of approximately 70% (contingent upon funding) will be awarded to project participants.
Job Outlook for TESOL Educators
According to the National Education Association, an estimated 25% of public school students will be ELs by the year 2025! Currently, the United States is experiencing a massive shortage in TESOL educators. As the number of English Language Learners in America rises, the number of educators available to teach them continues to decrease. Therefore, the job outlook for TESOL educators is promising.
Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS) Training
As a part of the requirements, Project LEADER scholars will participate in the professional development of PALS conducted by the research team of American Institute of Research (AIR).
Project scholars complete a 12-course program with 22 credits in SBL and 15 credits in TESOL or in the Bilingual Education Extension, which takes approximately 2.5 years to complete. The courses are offered online. Project scholars are assigned a University supervisor (mentor) who visits them in the schools in which they serve while meeting with them regularly to discuss their progress, offer assistance, and help them achieve program goals.
New York State Advanced Certificate in School Building Leadership(SBL)—22 graduate credits (All courses are three graduate credits except the capstone course, which is one credit.)
EDU 5301 Leadership Values, Decision-Making, and Multicultural Organization
EDU 5415 Introduction to Education Administration
EDU 5650 School-Based Data Analysis
EDU 5701 Curriculum and Teaching: Theories into Practice
EDU 5741 Finance in Education
EDU 5761 School Business Administration for Administrators and Supervisors
EDU 5950 School Building Leader Administrative Internship
EDU 5499 General Review and New York State Qualifying Exam Preparation for the Advanced Certificate in School Building Leadership
New York State Advanced Certificate in TESOL (Pre-K–12)—15 graduate credits (All courses are three graduate credits.)
EDU 9002 Psychology and Sociology of Language and Bilingualism
EDU 9003 Literacy Development for First and Second Language Learners
EDU 9004 Content Area Instruction for Linguistically/Culturally Diverse Learners
EDU 9010 Linguistics for Teachers of English Language Learners and Exceptional Learners
EDU 9012 Methods of Language and Academic Assessment for English Language and Exceptional Learners
New York State Advanced Certificate in Bilingual Education(Pre-K–12)—15 graduate credits (All courses are three graduate credits.)
EDU 9002 Psychology and Sociology of Language and Bilingualism
EDU 9005 Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and Dual-Language Instruction
EDU 9009 Teaching Strategies in the ESL and Bilingual Classroom: Science, Mathematics, and Social Studies
EDU 9010 Linguistics for Teachers of English Language and Exceptional Learners
EDU 9012 Methods of Language and Academic Assessment for English Language and Exceptional Learners
What are the application requirements?
- Official Master's degree college transcripts showing a 3.0 GPA or higher
- Copy of your NYS Teaching Certificate
- Two letters of recommendation from two supervisors
- Master’s degree in education or related field
- Provide principal and applicant MOU
When is the application due?
- The selection of competitive candidates and scholarship awards is made on a rolling admission basis. However, seats are limited and it is highly recommended to submit your application no later March 31st, 2024 for this cohort.
Interest Form
For more information, please complete the interest form (http://tinyurl.com/pz8mse39) . You will be contacted by a project staff member.
Will there be tuition assistance?
Yes. Approximately 70% tuition assistance (contingent upon funding) will be awarded to project participants.
Is the program online?
Yes, all of the courses will take place online in the fall, spring, and summer semesters.
When will the program start?
The program will start in Summer of 2024.
To read our latest newsletter edition, please click HERE (https://www.smore.com/03eqc)
Attend one of the upcoming webinars for potential applicants on Zoom
- January 16th at 6 pm
- February 7th at 6 pm
- February 28th at 6pm
- http://tinyurl.com/4pm2j5r8
- Meeting Number: 846 2099 5981
- Password: LEADER2024
John N. Spiridakis, J.D., Ph.D., Co-project Director
Professor and Chair, Department of Education Specialties
Seokhee Cho, Ph.D., Co-project Director
Professor, Department of Administration and Instructional Leadership
Audrey Figueroa Murphy, Ed.D., Coordinator of TESOL and Bilingual Education Graduate Programs
Associate Professor, Department of Education Specialties
Jordan Gonzalez, Ph.D., Bilingual Family and Community Literacy Coordinator
Assistant Professor, TESOL and Bilingual Education Programs Department of Education Specialties
Yvonne Pratt-Johnson, Ed.D., Bilingual Family and Community Literacy Coordinator
Associate Professor, Department of Education Specialties
Stephen Kotok, Ph.D., Leadership Mentor Coordinator
Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Administration and Instructional Leadership
Gulnur Ozbek, Ph.D., Research Director
Angelo Gatto, Ph.D., External Evaluator
Contact Us
Dr. John Spiridakis
Program Director
St. John’s University
Education Specialties
[email protected]
(718)990 6407
Dr. Audrey Figueroa-Murphy
Program Coordinator
St. John’s University
Education Specialties
[email protected]
(718)990-1620
Dr. Stephen Kotok
Program Coordinator
St. John’s University
Education Specialties
[email protected]
(718)990 2654