Certified Teachers Professional Development @ EMCC

Structured English Immersion (SEI)
Estrella Mountain offers courses for full endorsement of Structured English Immersion (SEI) for certified personnel.

EPD220 Introduction to Serving the English Language Learner for Certified Teachers
Rationale for and current educational and legal issues for English Language Learners (ELL). Comparison and evaluation of various types of language educational models including Structured English Immersion (SEI), English as a Second Language (ESL) and bilingual. Includes SEI, ESL, and bilingual strategies.
Prerequisites: Provisional or standard elementary, or secondary, or special or career and technical education teaching certificate, or permission of Department or Division.
Course Note: Approved school-based practicum is required. EPD220 incorporates the 45-clock hour curricular framework for SEI endorsement through the Arizona Department of Education.


EPD233 Structured English Immersion and English as a Second Language Teaching Method for Certified Teachers
Methods of planning, developing, and analyzing lesson plans in all content areas using English Language Learners (ELL) Standards. Emphasis on components of curriculum content, teaching strategies, development/evaluation/adaptation of teaching materials, and the role of culture in learning. Examines the alignment of ELL Proficiency Standards to the Arizona Language Arts Academic Standards. Covers multiple assessment techniques, tracking of student progress using the state mandated English language proficiency assessment, and use of assessment results for placement and accommodation.
Prerequisites: Provisional or standard elementary, or secondary, or special education or career and technical education teaching certificate and (EDU220 or EPD220 or EDU225), or permission of Department or Division.
Course Note: Approved school-based practicum required. EPD233 incorporates curricular framework for the 45-clock hour requirement for SEI endorsement through the Arizona Department of Education.

Gifted Education Endorsement
Estrella Mountain is developing an online program for certified teachers to earn their Gifted Education Endorsement from the AZ Dept. of Education. Courses will begin Fall 2010 and include:

EPD225 Foundations of Gifted Education and Identification of Gifted Learners
Explores definitions of giftedness, ways of identifying gifted students, and types of programs and services developed for this population. Addresses issues in educating gifted students. Prerequisite: Must hold a provisional or standard early childhood, elementary, secondary or special education teaching certificate.

EPD226 Social and Emotional Needs of Gifted Students

Explores the intellectual, social, emotional, developmental, and educational characteristics of gifted students.

Prerequisites: Must hold a provisional or standard early childhood, elementary, secondary or special education teaching certificate and EPD225 or or permission of instructor or division/department chairperson.

EPD227 Methods and Models for Differentiating Curriculum for Gifted Learners

Explores the theory and practice of teaching methods and differentiating curriculum and instruction for gifted learners.

Prerequisites: Must hold a provisional or standard early childhood, elementary, secondary or special education teaching certificate and EPD225 or or permission of instructor or division/department chairperson.

EPD228 Creativity and Critical Thinking Skills in Gifted Education

Overview of the concept of creativity, including theories and characteristics. Examination of brain research on critical thinking and implications for gifted education.

Prerequisites: Must hold a provisional or standard early childhood, elementary, secondary or special education teaching certificate and EPD225 or permission of instructor or division/department chairperson.

EPD229 Gifted Education Practicum I

Focus on the practical application of theories, models, and instruction for gifted education. Provides an opportunity to receive guided, practical, on-site experience working with gifted students. Requires observations of gifted students in a variety of settings, evaluation of teaching techniques, and critical review of academic standards as they relate to gifted learners and related professional organizations.

Prerequisites: Must hold a provisional or standard early childhood, elementary, secondary or special education teaching certificate and EPD225, EPD226, EPD227, and EPD228 or permission of instructor or division/department chairperson.

EPD230 Gifted Education Practicum II

Emphasis on the provision of instruction and assessment to gifted and talented students. Covers lesson plan development, classroom procedures, classroom management, and assessment. Includes learner preparation, learner engagement, and learner outcome awareness.

Prerequisites: Must hold a provisional or standard early childhood, elementary, secondary or special education teaching certificate and EPD225, EPD226, EPD227, EPD228, and EPD229 or permission of instructor or division/department chairperson.