As a high school ENL teacher who collaborates with at times 7-9 teachers a year, how do I utilize the strategies learned through this program during the “push in” setting? For example, let’s say I am pushing in to a global class that is studying Mao Zedong. I would love to create an engaging and creative assignment, perhaps letter writing from Mao’s perspective or one of his officers. Yet at the same time, the pace of these high school classes is so fast, and my job is to modify the assignments, notes. and assessments that the content teacher has already chosen (which usually consists of worksheets and PowerPoints).
How do I allow my students freedom in their writing, when we have so much content to cover and Regents prep? All of my students (regardless of proficiency levels), spend a great majority of their time with me learning skills and vocabulary across their content areas. Everyday each student needs attention for each of the five subjects they are taking. It really becomes a race for time.
How do I most effectively share the ideas learned in this program, with the content area teachers I work with?
ECLInstitute - HVWP 2019-2020 
I LOVE your questions. They are ones I often hear from ELL teachers, special educators and even from me as a literacy coach! How DO you negotiate these shared spaces with other teachers who either don’t know about the power of these practices or have other (equally important) priorities and practices?
I’m wondering what your relationship is with these teachers, and how much trust you have from them to volunteer a strategy or two early in the year.
Perhaps when they see students (ALL students, not just language learners) respond they will be more likely to hear your suggestions and share more space with you?
Perhaps you can use some of these strategies as they way you differentiate for your students?
Perhaps you try some only in the pull-out classes until you have enough good student work to show other teachers how these strategies work?
Perhaps you invite a teacher or two to one of our sessions? There is great power in showing someone the work you’re doing, and letting them experience it for themselves.
I want to do a lot more thinking about this…
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