Bilingual Education Specialist K-12 Added Endorsement Program

The Bilingual Education Specialist (BES) Endorsement is an additional credential for all licensed educators in the state of Colorado with a desire to work in bilingual Spanish classrooms. Grounded in evidence-based practices and research, the BES provides educators with the skills and knowledge to accommodate and ensure the academic success of native Spanish-speaking students throughout Colorado.

The endorsement provides educators the pedagogy, skills and knowledge to support second language learners in their primary language of Spanish and in their English language development. Program options allow pre-service teachers to add the BES endorsement to their initial license and for currently-licensed educators to add the BES endorsement to their current license.

This program is available to undergraduate, graduate and non-degree seeking students. Our BES program is approved by the Colorado Department of Education and provides Colorado educators the professional opportunity to add this highly-sought endorsement to their professional credentials.

The Bilingual Educator Specialist (BES) program at MSU Denver is unique in its breadth and focus on effective practices to support bilingual learners. BES candidates have the opportunity to expand and develop their academic Spanish proficiency through rigorous coursework conducted in Spanish and English. Our Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education faculty bring with them years of experience in K-12 classrooms from Colorado to countries across the globe!

The Bilingual Education Specialist Endorsement is the preferred credential for teachers who aim to work in the growing number of dual-language Spanish/English programs available in Colorado public schools.

Additionally, in our School of Education programs, you will experience:

• A diverse student population
• Engaging, topical coursework
• Supportive faculty and staff who value diversity, equity and inclusion
• Clinical experiences in partnership schools across the Denver metro area throughout your program
• Incredible value

Candidates who complete the BES endorsement will most likely work in bilingual kindergarten through grade twelve classrooms, offering learners language-rich and asset-based experiences in English and Spanish. BES candidates are preferred by principals for both late-exit native language programs (Spanish) and the growing number of  dual-language programs (Spanish/English) found in Colorado including: The Denver Language School (DPS) , Escuala Bilingue Pioneer (BVS), and Academic Ana Maria Sandoval (DPS).

Dr. Lina Martin Corredor

Dr. Martin Corredor is an Assistant Professor in the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Education program. Her teaching experience includes methodology courses for English as a Second Language (ESL) and Bilingual teacher-candidates at the college level, Spanish and ESL courses, as well as dual language and heritage language teaching. Her research interests center on bilingual pedagogy, Spanish as a heritage language, and academic discourses of the home and school contexts.

Dr. Andrew D. Walton

Dr. Andrew D. Walton is a young and invigorating Assistant Professor of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Education. He brings a multitude of k-12 teaching experience to the School of Education and consistently designs his courses to provide opportunities for preservice teachers to develop their knowledge of digital tools and incorporate instructional technologies to enhance their teaching practice as well as the language learning of students.

Dr. Walton earned his bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with a major in Spanish and minor in Bilingual Education from Central Michigan University, two master’s degrees in Special Education from The University of Texas at San Antonio and in School Leadership from Trinity University. He then followed these degrees with a PhD in Culture, Literacy, and Language and a Graduate Certificate in Technology for Language Education from The University of Texas at San Antonio. His research interests focus on developing (language) teachers’ Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge (TPACK) through a professional development experience called Lesson Study.

Dr. Peter Vigil

Professor Vigil’s emphasis on educational equity and cultural diversity and years of experience working in bilingual classrooms in Denver and Jeffco elementary classrooms allow him to elevate important issues related to working with culturally and linguistically diverse students and communities to the forefront of educator preparation in the School of Education.

As a board member with the Colorado Association for Bilingual Education and through various committee work with the Colorado Department of Education, Dr. Vigil has his a finger on the pulse of issues and topics concerning educational equity and academic achievement of culturally and linguistically diverse students in Colorado and is intentional in making relevant connections to the curriculum in the School of Education.

All School of Education teacher licensure programs are authorized by the Colorado Department of Education and the Colorado Department of Higher Education.