Proyecto Maestría Special Master's Program

Proyecto Maestría Special Master's Program is a cohort program designed for currently practicing bilingual elementary teachers pursuing either MA or MEd degrees in C&I with a focus in bilingual/bicultural educaton. Our aim is to continually build upon the pool of qualified master teachers in the region in order to support our teacher education and professional development efforts. Participants are supported in their study by a scholarship provided through the National Professional Development Program, Title III of No Child Left Behind.

Entering the program together in June each year, these twelve students will develop a strong grounding in the theory, policy, and practice of critical bilingual/bicultural education, as well as have the opportunity to explore their own particular curricular and theoretical interests through coursework in the department of Curriculum and Instruction and beyond. Students participate in specially designed coursework centered in their own elementary schools and classrooms to guide them in developing mentorship and leadership skills. If they so choose, they also have the opportunity to participate in classroom-based research in collaboration with UT Professors.

Graduates of the Proyecto Maestría program have remained involved in our program in the capacity of cooperating teachers, hosts, and guest speakers and assistant instructors in our teacher education program. They have engaged with our professors in conference presentations and publications, and have worked in their districts as mentor teachers, resource teachers, and professional development presenters. The strength of this program is our ongoing commitment to maintaining a strong connection to the practice and realities of teaching in the elementary bilingual classroom.

Contact Deb Palmer, debpalmer@mail.utexas.edu, for additional information about this program. For further information and application materials contact Jim Maxwell, jmax@mail.utexas.edu.