Culturally and Linguistically Diverse K-12 Added Endorsement Program

Did you know that there are over 170 languages spoken by K-12 students in Colorado public schools? The Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) added endorsement program at MSU Denver prepares educators to work with the growing number of K-12 emerging bilingual students in Colorado. Grounded in evidence-based practices and research, the CLD program provides educators with the skills and knowledge to accommodate and ensure the academic success of culturally and linguistically diverse students across the state.

Program options allow our pre-service teachers to add the CLD endorsement to their initial teaching license and licensed educators to add the CLD endorsement to their current teaching license. Undergraduate, post-baccalaureate and graduate students seeking initial teacher licensure through one of our programs can complete the CLD coursework alongside their initial licensure program coursework, and current teachers can attend MSU Denver as non-degree-seeking students to complete the coursework.

Our CLD program is approved by the Colorado Department of Education and provides Colorado educators the professional opportunity to add the highly sought after CLD endorsement to their professional credentials.

School districts across Colorado and principals at individual schools recognize the value of the CLD endorsement and it is quickly becoming a prefferred qualification for working at any Colorado public school. Regardless of the grade level, content area or specialization, the CLD endorsement is an invaluable professional credential to distinguish oneself in the competitive  job market.

Because our CLD endorsement is a state-approved program in Colorado, program completers will earn a recommendation for this endorsement, which makes the process of applying for this endorsement through the Colorado Department of Education simple and transparent.

Also of note is the fact that all CLD course offerings can contribute to the mandatory 6 credit hours of English Learner Educator Professional Development requirements for professional license renewal with the Colorado Department of Education.

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

Because the CLD endorsement is a K-12 credential, it opens doors to educators who are typically limited to their specific license or content area (i.e, k-6 elementary or secondary math).  Most ESL teaching  positions in Colorado will explicitly require the CLD endorsement. Beyond teaching positions, the CLD endorsement provides teachers the opportunity to interact with and advocate for the culturally and linguistically diverse students and families they encounter in their school communities.

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.

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.

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