North Cook ISC
Job-Embedded Professional Learning Programs for Educators
North Cook Intermediate Service Center (NCISC) has partnered with BloomBoard to offer its member districts job-embedded professional learning programs. Three programs are currently available: Teacher Apprenticeship (designed for aspiring educators), LBS1 certification, and ESL certification. Teachers must sign up for these programs as part of a cohort through their district.
Enrollment is now open for our January 2025 cohorts! District leaders should complete the form below to begin a cohort. Interested educators should reach out to their district leaders to get started.
Current Programs Available – Click to Learn More
Teacher Apprenticeship Program (Para to Bachelors) – Program Overview
This program offers paraeducators the instruction, coaching, and classroom experience they need to step-up to become effective teachers.
In a cohort-based apprenticeship program, paraeducators will earn a fully accredited Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. They will learn and earn college credit within an actual classroom alongside their students, in an environment that allows for gradual assumption of responsibility.
This program meets ISBE requirements and is offered through Lake Erie College. Participants must have an Associate’s degree and will be required to complete 60 credit hours.
Master of Education (MAT) – Program Overview
The Master of Education in Teaching and Learning enables participants with a bachelor’s degree in another field to become elementary educators. A Master’s of Teaching and Learning: Secondary is also offered, and enables participants with a bachelor’s degree in corresponding fields to become secondary educators.
These programs are designed for participants working in classrooms as long-term substitutes or on temporary teaching certificates. They consist of courses centered on foundational skills for instruction, such as curriculum, classroom culture, and quality instruction. The programs are designed to lead to alternative teaching certification in qualifying states.
This degree is aligned to the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) core teaching standards, which outline the common principles and foundations of teaching practice that cut across all subject areas and grade levels and are necessary to improve student achievement. Teachers who successfully complete this degree have demonstrated these skills within their classrooms and schools through portfolio-based artifacts.
Teaching English as a Second Language Endorsement – Program Overview
The Teaching English Language Learners Certification Program is portfolio-based and designed for educators to become proficient in teaching english as a second language. Participants complete six courses (18 credit hours) listed below, made up of 18 micro-credentials (MCs). This learn-by-doing program is designed for current teachers with regular access to students. All artifacts participants create will come from classroom practice. They are then uploaded to the BloomBoard platform for assessment.
Participants will be included in a cohort of NCISC teachers and will receive a dedicated 1:1 coach. The program begins with an orientation and then 6-synchronous, 1-hour Zoom sessions facilitated by the coach in order to provide all the necessary supports for completion of the first portfolio. From there, participants are free to work asynchronously in small groups or individually as they continue through the rest of the first course and subsequent courses. Throughout the entire program they have the continued support of a faculty advisor as needed.
This program meets ISBE requirements and is offered through Oklahoma Christian University. This program can be completed in 1-2 years (depending on number of courses taken per semester) at a total cost of $6,300 for NCISC district educators.
COURSE 1: Foundations of Supporting English Learners
Credit hours = 3
- Exploring Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Schools
- Communicating Policies and Laws Regarding English Learners to Stakeholders
- Delivering Culturally Responsive Instruction to English Learners
COURSE 2: Applied Linguistics for Teaching English Learners
Credit hours = 3
- Incorporating Linguistic Analysis into Teaching English
- Recognizing the Stages of Second Language Acquisition
- Supporting Academic Language Development
Course 3: Effective Practices for Teaching English Learners: Assessment
Credit hours = 3
- Elevating Effective Assessment and Instructional Practices for English Learners
- Leveraging Formative Assessment and Scaffolding for English Learners
- Implementing Equitable Assessment Practices for English Learners
Course 4: Effective Practices for Teaching English Learners: Discourse
Credit hours = 3
- Promoting Student Interaction Through Cooperative Learning
- Facilitating Classroom Discussions to Support English Learners
- Leveraging Classroom Conversation to Support English Learners
Course 5: Effective Practices for Teaching English Learners: Targeted Instruction
Credit hours = 3
- Promoting Literacy Development for English Learners
- Evaluating Approaches to Intervention for English Learners
- Supporting Special Populations of English Learners
Course 6: Professionalism in a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Environment
Credit hours = 3
- Collaborating with Multilingual Families
- Collaborating with Peers for the Success of English Learners
- Advocating for English Learners
Watch the video to learn more about BloomBoard and the work they’re doing with states and districts. You’ll also hear from educators about their experience with micro-credentials.
LBS1 Endorsement – Program Overview
The Illinois Special Education Licensure Program is portfolio-based and designed for educators to become proficient in teaching students with disabilities and earn an LBS1 Endorsement. Participants complete four courses (12 credit hours) listed below, made up of 12 micro-credentials (MCs). This learn-by-doing program is geared toward current teachers with regular access to students. All artifacts participants create will come from classroom practice. They are then uploaded to the BloomBoard platform for assessment.
Participants will be included in a cohort of NCISC teachers and will receive a dedicated 1:1 coach. The program begins with an orientation and then 6-synchronous, 1-hour Zoom sessions facilitated by the coach in order to provide all the necessary supports for completion of the first portfolio. From there, participants are free to work asynchronously in small groups or individually as they continue through the rest of the first course and subsequent courses. Throughout the entire program they have the continued support of a faculty advisor as needed.
This program meets ISBE requirements and is offered through Oklahoma Christian University. Upon completion of all 4 courses, educators will need to take the LBS1 test. This program can be completed in one year (if a participant takes two courses per semester) at a total cost of $4,200.00 for NCISC district educators.
COURSE 1: Foundations of Supporting Students With Disabilities
Credit hours = 3
- Exploring Issues in Special Education
- Communicating Policies and Laws Regarding Students With Disabilities to Stakeholders
- Leveraging IEPs for Student Success
COURSE 2: Foundations of Supporting Students With Disabilities
Credit hours = 3
- Understanding and Supporting Students With High-Incidence Disabilities
- Understanding and Supporting Students With Autism, Emotional Disabilities, and Sensory Needs in the Classroom
- Understanding and Supporting Students with Low-Incidence Disabilities
Course 3: Intervention, Identification, and Assessment for Students With Disabilities
Credit hours = 3
- MC 1: Assessing Students With Disabilities
- MC 2: Supporting Students and Families Through Intervention and Identification
- MC 3: Developing and Implementing IEPs
Course 4: Methods for Teaching Students With Disabilities
Credit hours = 3
- MC 1: Differentiating Instruction For Students With Disabilities
- MC 2: Supporting Students With Disabilities in Reading
- MC 3: Supporting Students With Disabilities in Math
Program Benefits
Low-cost
Job-Embedded
Personalized Support
Get on-demand support from a personal coach and peer learning communities.
Earn Graduate Credit
Earn one graduate credit for each micro-credential that is successfully completed!