Los Angeles Unified School District
Office of Curriculum, Instruction, and School Support
Multilingual and Multicultural Education Department
Academic English Mastery Program
Overview of the CLR Teacher Fellowship-Spring 2015
The Multilingual and Multicultural Education Department ‘s Culturally and Linguistically
Responsive (CLR) Teacher Fellowship provides k-12 teachers with the opportunity to
participate in a collaboration between LAUSD and Stanford University to build a viable
Professional Learning Network within the district that promotes collaboration, leadership,
and continual learning. In tandem with Stanford’s Understanding Language Massive Online
Open Course (MOOC): Constructive Classroom Conversations: Mastering Language for
College and Career Readiness, CLR Fellows will develop and construct their understanding
of the role of formative assessment in classroom conversations that supports language
learning and developing literacy for SELs. In addition, through this work, CLR Fellows will
deepen their knowledge about the needs of SEL students, the purpose of CLR pedagogy and
curriculum, and its connection to the Common Core.
Deadline-Friday, February 13, 2015
Application-Due Friday, February 13, 2015: http://bit.ly/CLRFellows15
Principal Recommendation Form-Due Friday, February 13, 2015: http://bit.ly/CLRPrincipal
CLR Fellowship Goals
 Build teacher capacity around:
 Research and practices pertaining to constructive classroom conversations
and SEL students
 Planning and orchestration of Academic Conversations
 Use and purpose of formative assessments to inform teaching and learning
 Analysis of student-to-student conversations and addressing ways to
improve students’ abilities to engage in the types of interactions described in
the new Common Core State Standards
 Build a resource library of Academic Conversation lessons and videos for
teachers and administrators
 Create a cadre of exemplary CLR k-12 teachers who will participate in a
professional learning network
CLR Teacher Fellowship Qualifications
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Five years of experience teaching
Hold a Multiple Subject or Single Subject Teaching Credential
Successful Teaching Experience (principal verification required)
Knowledge of culturally responsive pedagogy
Knowledge of Common Core State Standards
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Experience in working in collaborative groups
Strong critical thinking and communication skills
Use of LAUSD email account on a regular basis
Experience with integrating technology and utilizing other 21st century skills into the
curriculum
CLR Fellowship Components
Fellowship training-30 hours: $1,500 stipend per semester
 Saturday Class Time: 30 hours (5 Saturdays – 2/21, 2/28, 3/7, 3/21, and 4/11)
 Class time will be used to support ongoing learning in constructive classroom
conversations and review and reflect on assignments.
 Independent or Group Work Time: 30 hours
 Participants are required to complete individual and work time assignments as
indicated in the MOOC and syllabus.
Work Stream
To maximize our time and resources, we will be piloting the use of My PLN (My Professional
Learning Network). My PLN will be the learning management system to store all pertinent
documents, turn in all assignments, and most importantly, will be used as a vehicle for
collaboration. My PLN is available to all LAUSD certificated employees.
The Course
The Common Core State standards and Next Generation Science Standards emphasize improving the
quality of student-to-student discourse as a major feature of instruction. The new standards specifically
describe the importance of students understanding the reasoning of others and engaging in meaningful
conversations using evidence for claims. Yet this type of student-to-student interaction tends to be rare in
classrooms. Common classroom teaching activities such as whole class discussions, jigsaws, and thinkpair-shares can have the appearance of constructive interactions, but they often do not provide adequate
opportunities for all students to engage in back-and-forth dialog. This course looks closely at student-tostudent conversations and addresses ways to improve students’ abilities to engage in the types of
interactions described in the new standards.
This course consists of four main sessions with three weeks between each session in order to provide
extra time for application and reflection. The learning in this course relies heavily on participant
contributions and comments, especially in team collaboration setting. Participants will be expected to
complete both team and individual assignments for all sessions. The sessions and assignments are
designed for participants who teach or have access to classrooms in which they can gather samples of
students’ conversation during lessons. Finally, we include resources and tasks for instructional coaches
and others who support teachers and build school-wide capacity.
These tasks are intended to provide teachers with the opportunity to create a curricular plan that
demonstrates how CLR pedagogy can be used to provide access to the CCSS.
Location: Bret Harte Preparatory Middle School
9301 S. Hoover St. Los Angeles, CA 90044
Dates: 2/21, 2/28, 3/7, 3/21, and 4/11
If you have any questions, please call the Academic English Mastery Program at
213-241-3340 and/or email Dr. Magan Mitchell at mam0887@lausd.net.
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