District and Community Partnerships

The success of the “Expanding Bi/Multilingual Teacher Pathways in Georgia through Kennesaw State University’s TESOL Programs” is deeply rooted in the robust district and community partnerships we have established across Georgia. These partnerships play a crucial role in addressing the state’s teacher shortages and supporting the professional development of bilingual and multilingual educators.

We collaborate with local school districts which have been significantly impacted by the shortage of qualified ESOL teachers. These districts, representing both rural and suburban areas, face unique challenges in serving their diverse student populations, with a high percentage of English Learners (ELs). By engaging directly with these districts, we ensure that the teacher candidates (BTCs) recruited for the program are well-aligned with the specific needs of these schools.

Additionally, our partnerships extend beyond school districts to include various community organizations, such as Native American groups and other local stakeholders. These community partnerships are essential for reaching potential BTCs, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. These collaborations help to create pathways for paraprofessionals, substitute teachers, high school graduates with the Seal of Biliteracy, and other multilingual individuals in the community to enter the TESOL profession.

Through ongoing engagement with our district and community partners, we will ensure that our program is responsive to the needs of Georgia’s K-12 students and their schools, while fostering a supportive network for our BTCs throughout their training and career development. This collective effort strengthens the foundation for sustainable growth in the number of highly qualified ESOL educators across the state.