Teacher candidates and teachers seeking additional endorsements are encouraged to attend upcoming informational sessions
ESD-U will be accepting applications for its upcoming 2019-2020 cohort on January 15 and will hold informational sessions in January and February. Aspiring teachers who currently hold a bachelor’s degree or certified teachers wishing to obtain an additional endorsement are encouraged to attend one of four upcoming ESD-U informational sessions.
Applications for the cohort, which starts in the summer of 2019, will be available beginning January 15.
Learn more about ESD-U at an upcoming informational session:
- Wednesday, January 23rd at 4:00pm
- Thursday, January 31st at 4:00pm
- Thursday, February 21st at 4:00pm
- Tuesday, February 26th at 4:00pm
Potential candidates may also receive updates and application information by completing the ESD-U Candidate Interest Form located on the ESD-U website at https://www.esd112.org/esd-u/.
“ESD 112 has drawn on its longstanding reputation as a trusted partner with local school districts to design a program that is unique to our region and state,” said Tim Merlino, ESD 112 superintendent.
ESD-U is a program of Educational Service District 112. Approved by the Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB), ESD-U is a non-college/university entity offering teacher certifications in the state of Washington. It is a residency-based, low-cost, flexible program designed to address identified district teacher shortages and support districts to “grow their own” teachers. The program offers:
- Teacher certifications for those with a bachelor’s degree
- Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Applications are due May 1, 2019.
- Additional teacher endorsements
- Applicants must hold a Washington State teaching certificate and be employed as a teacher in a Washington school district or ESD. Applications are due May 1, 2019.
The ESD-U model has sparked interest around the state because, unlike teacher certification programs in higher education, ESD-U was designed by practicing teachers and administrators from southwest Washington who are members of ESD-U Professional Education Advisory Board. “These educators have first-hand knowledge of the current needs of the classroom as well as district partner instructional initiatives,” said Mike Esping, the program’s director.
What others are saying about ESD-U
“It is the best use of your time and resources. The instructors are outstanding and classes are engaging and informative,” said Katie Lewis, ESD-U retooling candidate and Evergreen School District teacher.
“Practitioners teaching practitioners is very powerful. With the ESD-U model, we have the freedom to really model best practices, rather than having them read a chapter in a book or listen to a lecture,” said Lindsay Young, sheltered instruction professional development specialist for Evergreen Public Schools.
“The partnership between districts and the ESD staff to develop the ESD-U program has been outstanding. We are seeing candidates more prepared to handle the challenges of teaching positions,” said Shelley Whitten, director of human resources for Battle Ground Public Schools.
“ESD-U is a conveniently accessible, relevant and valuable resource which can yield increased opportunities for both personal and career growth in education,” said Stephanie Welniak, ESL coordinator for Battle Ground Public Schools.
