ENL PRESS RELEASE: We are proud to announce that Ms. Kathy DeLaTorre of St. Joseph Catholic School has been chosen to be a member of the 19th cohort of English as a New Language Hernandez Fellows at the University of Notre Dame. The English as a New Language (ENL) fellowship is a one-year course of studies that prepares educators to earn their ENL/ESL (English as a Second Language) certification through six graduate-level courses from the University of Notre Dame.
At Notre Dame, we believe that linguistic and cultural diversity enriches our Catholic schools and educators play a critical role in the academic, linguistic, cultural, and social development of every student. The ENL program seeks to advance the skills of educators who serve English learners (EL) across all grade levels and content areas. As a participant in the ENL Program, Ms. DeLaTorre will learn from exceptional national faculty, and in a community that is enriched by diversity in experience, ethnicity, and age. Participants will engage in a rich community of educators from across the country, examine cultural influences in the lives of children, and develop a deep understanding of the process of second language acquisition in order to foster language growth and create culturally sustaining classrooms and schools.
As English learners are the fastest growing population in K-12 schools, ENL program participants will employ research-based instructional strategies in order to optimize learning outcomes and ensure mastery of both language and content. With this expertise, Ms. DeLaTorre will be equipped to transform SJS by implementing school-wide approaches to meeting the holistic needs of English learners and provide leadership in creating policies, programs, and supports for ELs through the facilitation of personalized professional development for SJS and/or the Diocese of Harrisburg.
Ms. DeLaTorre is an integral part of the 19th ENL cohort, which includes 28 schools nationwide, coming from 19 (arch)dioceses across the country. Dr. Katy Lichon, the director of ENL, is thrilled to be welcoming this 19th cohort of incredible educators. “It is an honor for the University of Notre Dame to be partnering with Catholic school educators and schools across the country in order to live out our mission of being a force for good in the world. Two centuries ago, Catholic schools were founded in the United States to serve children and families in a gospel-centered environment that honored the inherent dignity, gifts, and culture of each child, family, and community. Today, our schools stand as sacred spaces of hope for families and communities, and this group of educators is critical in carrying out this mission.” #notredame#catholicschool#englishasasecondlanguage
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