This course is for people interested in teaching in schools and/or community agencies serving multilingual populations. Topics include: theories of first and second language acquisition, translanguaging, language policies and laws, strategies for teaching academic content to emerging bilinguals in mainstream classroom, creating classroom/school cultures that invite all students into learning, and the role of advocacy and professional collaboration in linguistically diverse public schools. In addition to designing and exploring a variety of teaching activities and techniques, students conduct a rich collection of field assignments including interviewing bi-/multilingual adults; visiting community agencies; and collaboratively designing community engagement activities.

The first course in a two-semester sequence, this course develops beginning inclusive and special educators' abilities in assessing learners and learning environments, designing, implementing, and evaluation intensive instruction, and implementing high-leverage practices in the areas of collaboration, assessment, and social/emotional/behavioral supports. Provides a focus on federal and state legal and procedural mandates.

This course examines the role and responsibility of the elementary educator as an advocate for, and educator of, students with diverse learning needs. Methods and structure to enable educators to understand, engage, and respond to the challenges presented within an academically diverse classroom are addressed. Special focus is given to research and applications for facilitating emergent literacies and social, emotional and behavioral development.

The course is to examine the socio-cultural circumstances surrounding racially, culturally and linguistically diverse (RCLD) families raising children with disabilities, address the implications of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) for families and professionals, discuss issues regarding families' experience during the special education process, assess family strengths and coping styles, and develop knowledge and skills to advocate for diverse and inclusive family-school-community partnerships.