A Letter From the ICP/TACIT Program Manager

Will it ever turn cool and crisp? We have had an unusual fall, but a warm and welcoming one at the cohort sites where we have visited with the teachers who will participate in the ICP in 2006. Teachers and administrators from Carmel, Indianapolis Public Schools, MSD Lawrence Township, Lakeland, Pendleton, and Plymouth have joined Heather Warren, LeeAnn Sinclair, and two of our alumnae, Susan Adams and Mary Gifford, for their orientation into the program.

It has been terrific to drive to the sites and meet the new folks. Our two alumnae have been quite honest about the rigor of our program and the advantages they have gained from participating. We appreciate both of them taking time to share their experiences and hope that their insights will be help keep the “newbies” rooted if the going gets tough.

Both Mary and Susan have completed their ESL licensure since participating in the ICP, and of course, we are excited that we can assist some of our other alumni with that process through the TACIT grant. We are in the process of setting up orientation meetings for the new TACIT cohort this semester, as well, so check Kathy Deckard’s column with news of her program for specifics.

We have a staff change to announce. As many of you know Erin Ring, who held the position as special projects coordinator last year, took a teaching position in the Colorado Springs area this fall. Erin came to IU to work on her master’s degree in ESL after spending two years teaching in the Peace Corps in Paraguay. This year we have a new employee in that position, Kate Tannous, who is also a master’s student in the Language Education department pursuing ESL and teaching certification.

Kate (like Heather) comes to Indiana from Texas, but most recently she spent ten months in Tunis, Tunisia teaching EFL to adults and high school students. Kate has been working on compiling a complete database for all of the participants in our two grants, and she is the gal who will send you trade books and other resources from the ICP/ TACIT professional library. Take a look at her book review column for some great resources available to you with just of click of your mouse.

This is a significant year for the ICP, because it is the final year of the grant. This last cohort, though smaller (30 participants) than in previous years, includes the same kind of dedicated teachers that we have enjoyed working with during the five year span of the grant. On the flip side, TACIT is beginning its second year with participants from all over the state, many of whom are ICP alumni.

The opportunity to work with teachers from so many different teaching situations is not only an honor, but a pleasure, because we all grow and learn with every encounter we have. We trust that the collaborative relationships we develop with one another will foreshadow our relationships with colleagues in our school districts and will provide broader opportunities for success for the ELL students in our schools.