Project Connect ESL Grant

Earn Your English as a Second Language Teaching Endorsement FREE through Project Connect

You may be eligible for 18 Credits Hours of FREE ESL Grant Funding

Project Connect ESL is a $2.3 million US Department of Education National Professional Development grant that has been awarded to Morningside University. This grant program will assist current certified educators in providing instruction and support to K-12 English Learners in the classroom through FULLY FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS for ESL online endorsement coursework.

Another component of the grant will be providing professional development to partnering school districts.

Why is Project Connect ESL Right for Me?

Project Connect ESL is 100% Online Learning
Receive your ESL Endorsement in One Year
Just Six Courses to Complete
Ability to Maintain Your Current Employment
Opportunity to Complete Your Practicum Where You Work and/or Reside
Access to a FREE Laptop During Your Practicum
Enhances Professional Development & Opportunities for Salary Advancement

View Course Titles and Rotations

Answers to our most frequently asked questions can be found below.

Project Connect ESL Frequently Asked Questions

Start the Application Process for Project Connect ESL

Step 1:

Apply to Morningside University and add Project Connect ESL in the notes field.

MORNINGSIDE APPLICATION

Step 2:

We require official transcripts to be sent directly to Morningside University’s Sharon Walker School of Education from the institution. We accept electronic transcripts from either (a) an institution or (b) from an established provider, sent directly from the institution or established provider to the Sharon Walker School of Education. Established providers include: Script Safe, Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, Docufide, SENDedu, etc. Designated officials from institutions (i.e., Registrar) or third-party vendors.

Additionally, we accept official transcripts by mail if sent from the institution directly to the Sharon Walker School of Education.

Please have institutions mail transcript to:

Morningside University
Sharon Walker School of Education
1501 Morningside Ave.
Sioux City, IA 51106
Fax: 712-274-5488
Email: soe@morningside.edu

Step 3:

Be officially admitted to Morningside University.

Step 4:

The Project Connect team will contact you and provide you with the Project Connect ESL Grant Google Form Application.

Woman on the phone smiling at her computer

Project Connect ESL
Grant Pathways

Up to 18 Credit Hours of Project Connect ESL Grant Scholarships

Continuing Education Programs

Scholarships for online programs leading to initial licenses and/or ESL endorsements for paraprofessionals, substitutes, and licensed teachers, include these proposed pathways;

ESL endorsement Online Program for currently licensed teachers.
MAT Initial Licensure Online Program with ESL endorsement for personnel who have non-teaching college degrees.
Bachelor's of Science in Elementary Education Online Bachelor's Completion Program with ESL endorsement for personnel who have earned at least 60 credit hours, but not a BS or BA degree.

Each of these licensure/endorsement pathways includes an ESL practicum in which teacher candidates will lead summer literature circles with selected students and families. Grant funds will provide hard copy books to participants as well as access to the AEA e-book library.

Partnering School Districts and Area Education Agencies

Project Connect ESL Consortium Partners will receive priority for being admitted to the grant.

Districts:

Boyden-Hull CSD
Denison CSD
Eagle Grove CSD
Marshalltown CSD
Postville CSD
Sioux Center CSD
Sioux City CSD
Storm Lake CSD
West Sioux CSD

Area Education Agencies (AEAs)

Central Rivers AEA
Keystone AEA
Northwest AEA
Prairie Lakes AEA

Continuing Education and Professional Development

Scholarships for ESL-related Professional Development Courses will be offered through the Area Education Agency (AEA) Learning Online Program. These courses will be designed and delivered by Morningside University for both certified and non-certified personnel. Proposed titles include:

Non-Certified Staff Professional Development Courses

Cultural Awareness – What’s My Lens?
Beginning Spanish for Education Personnel
Building Relationships with EL Students and Families

Certified Staff Professional Development Courses

Becoming a Culturally Responsive Teacher
Beginning Spanish for Education Personnel
Cultivating EL Student Self-Efficacy
Creating Culturally Relevant Connections to Content
Dual Language Instructional Models
Strengthening Literacy Skills for English Learners
Using E-Books to Support Family Literacy

Courses Leading to Licensure Renewal Courses

To be determined.

Contact the Project Connect ESL team

Kelly Chaney

Dean of the Sharon Walker School of Education

Melissa Kanost

Project Connect Academic Coordinator

Kendall Saunders

Administrative Assistant

Cynthia Witt

Program Coordinator Graduate Advanced Practice Programs

Rebecca Zettle

Project Connect Program Coordinator