Lighthouses of Learning: Safely Guiding the Most At-Risk Scholars to Academic Shores

Dr. Amanda Ainley • Cahn Fellow 2023

Just as lighthouses guide ships through foggy and treacherous waters, our Cahn Fellowship project focused on providing clear direction and support to Multilingual Learners (MLL) with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), helping them navigate the complexities of learning and reach their academic goals. Through the implementation of the SIOP (Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol) model, with a specific focus on the Lesson Delivery component, we aimed to enhance instruction for English Language Learners (ELLs) in our middle school grades.

Our project involved collaboration with the ELL Coordinator, targeted professional development for staff, comprehensive data collection and analysis, and regular classroom observations with feedback. The goal was to improve academic growth for ELLs, particularly those with IEPs, by enhancing teacher capacity and implementing effective instructional strategies.