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).
Become a Bilingual Teaching Fellow!
The Bilingual Teaching Fellows program (BTF) is a Route 1 Alternative Route cohort-based teacher training program that leads to a Bachelor of Arts in Multilingual Elementary Education with 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 completion program supports employed paraeducators seeking to become certified K-8 teachers.
Program Highlights
- Candidates employed as ML paraeducators in partner districts
- Maintain regular salary and benefits
- Available to current employees and new applicants
- WWU Renton campus located at Puget Sound Educational Service District
- Most courses held face-to-face weekday evenings
- Full-time, accelerated program
- 8 quarters to completion (2 academic years including summers)
- A new cohort is projected to start each year (summer quarter)
- 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
This is an 8-quarter, full-time program. Most in-person classes are held on weekdays (Monday-Thursday) 5:00pm-9:00pm at the PSESD in Renton, WA. Generally classes are held face-to-face; occasionally, classes may be taught as hybrid or synchronous online courses. Summer quarter schedules may vary.*
| Next cohort starts summer 2026! | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Year | Summer* | Fall | Winter | Spring |
| 2026-2027 | Program Start Quarter 1 | Quarter 2 | Quarter 3 | Quarter 4 |
| 2027-2028 | Quarter 5 | Quarter 6 | Quarter 7 | Program Finish Quarter 8 |
Extended part time programs are available on an individualized basis. Please reach out for more information!
“When I arrived here to the United States 11 years ago, without knowing English, I felt limited in many aspects and that all of my effort to become a working professional was in vain. After finishing the Bilingual Teaching Fellows program, I now know that I am the completion of this dream.
With great pride, I am able to say that WWU and Highline helped an immigrant woman from an impoverished country fulfill her dreams and goals.”
- Angela Madrid, Kindergarten teacher, White Center Heights
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!