Bilingual Teaching Fellows-Renton
Accepting Inquiries for Summer 2026!
Want to learn more about this program or have individual questions? Reach out to Christie McLean (mcleanc@wwu.edu) or Richard Dunn (dunnr4@wwu.edu) to schedule a time to meet!
Questions about program admission requirements, financial aid, or scholarships? Reach out to Miranda Myers Barker (myersbm@wwu.edu).
Upcoming Information Sessions
- Wednesday, November 19, 5-5:45
- Wednesday, December 10- 5-5:45
- Thursday, January 22, 5-5:45
- Tuesday, February 24, 5-5:45
- Monday, March 16, 5-5:45
Become a Bilingual Teaching Fellow!
Our Bilingual Teaching Fellows program (BTF) is an Alternative Route, teacher training program (Route 1). This cohort-based program leads to a Bachelor of Arts in Education (BAE) in Multilingual Elementary Education. The program prepares candidates for a Washington State Residency Certificate with dual endorsements in Elementary Education (K-8) and English Language Learners (ELL) (P-12) and/or Bilingual Education (BE) (P-12). This bachelor's completion program supports employed paraeducators seeking to become certified K-8 teachers.
Program Highlights
- Work while you learn in this job-embedded program
- Small, supportive cohort model
- Collaborative, hands-on learning environment
- Assets based approach building on strengths; preparation to help all learners thrive
- Focus on language, culture, and educational equity
- Strong mentorship from application to graduation by both university and school-based educators
What Makes BTF Support Unique?
We are here to support you! Whether you are ready to apply to the program this year, or for a future cohort, we are happy to work with you throughout your journey to becoming a teacher. Our candidates tell us the support this program provides helps them remove barriers, navigate the complexities of higher education, and feel prepared to become a new teacher.
- Our program mentors, Christie McLean and Richard Dunn, would love to meet with you to discuss your goals, your questions, and if our program is a good fit for you. Reach out to Christie McLean mcleanc@wwu.edu & Richard Dunn dunnr4@wwu.edu.
- Our Student Transfer Success Specialist, Miranda Myers Barker, will help determine if you are eligible to apply now or in the future. Miranda is happy to work with you, as an advisor, as you continue taking classes to complete any needed admission requirements. Reach out to Miranda Myers Barker myersbm@wwu.edu.
Why Multilingual Education?
Washington State has set the goal of offering Dual Language Education to all students by 2040. There is a significant and growing need for educators to be prepared to work with students in dual language classrooms or with multilingual students in general education classrooms. Multilingual education is an area of significant teacher shortage across the state and nation. The BTF program addresses teacher shortages and trains future teachers in best practices in both elementary and multilingual education. Pursuit of a major in Multilingual Elementary Education can uniquely position you to respond to this need!
Program Structure
Our unique program structure allows you to work while you learn in a supportive cohort. Features include:
- Candidates employed as paraeducators in partner districts
- Available to current employees and new applicants
- 8-quarter, full-time, accelerated program*
- Convenient location at the WWU Renton site housed within the Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD)
- Most courses held face-to-face on weekday evenings (Monday-Thursday) 5:00pm-8:50pm
- Schedule includes occasional online or hybrid courses
- A new cohort is projected to start each summer quarter
| Next cohort starts summer 2026 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Year | Summer | Fall | Winter | Spring |
| 2026-2027 | Quarter 1 | Quarter 2 | Quarter 3 | Quarter 4 |
| 2027-2028 | Quarter 5 | Quarter 6 | Quarter 7 | Quarter 8 |
*Extended part-time programs are available on an individualized basis.
Next Steps
Please contact us early so that we can help ensure that you are ready to start! See admission requirements and prerequisites, sample cost breakdowns, and financial resources. Please reach out for more information and next steps!
Contact Us:
- Academic Program Director, Beth Dillard, PhD, dillare@wwu.edu; (360) 650-3314
- Program Mentors, Christie McLean mcleanc@wwu.edu & Richard Dunn dunnr4@wwu.edu
- Transfer Student Success Specialist, Miranda Myers Barker, myersbm@wwu.edu; (360) 650-6292
We look forward to meeting you!