Kendall Saunders
Project Connect Admin. Assistant
712-274-5197
EARN YOUR ESL ENDORSEMENT
Through Project Connect, you may be eligible to earn your English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement for FREE.
Why is Project Connect ESL Right for Me?
- Project Connect ESL is 100% Online Learning
- Receive your ESL Endorsement in three to four semesters
- Only six courses to complete
- Ability to maintain your current employment
- Opportunity to complete your practicum where you work and/or reside
- Enhances professional development and opportunities for salary advancement
YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR 18 CREDIT HOURS OF FREE ESL GRANT FUNDING
Project Connect ESL (English as a Second Language) is a $2.3 million US Department of Education National Professional Development grant that has been awarded to Morningside University. This grant program will assist current certified educators in providing instruction and support to K-12 English Learners in the classroom through FULLY FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS for ESL online endorsement coursework.
Another component of the grant will be providing professional development to partnering school districts.
START THE APPLICATION PROCESS
STEP 1
Apply to Morningside University and add Project Connect ESL in the notes field.
STEP 2
We require official transcripts to be sent directly to Morningside University’s Sharon Walker School of Education from the institution. We accept electronic transcripts from either (a) an institution or (b) from an established provider, sent directly from the institution or established provider to the Sharon Walker School of Education. Established providers include: Script Safe, Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, Docufide, SENDedu, etc. Designated officials from institutions (i.e., Registrar) or third-party vendors.
Additionally, we accept official transcripts by mail if sent from the institution directly to the Sharon Walker School of Education.
Please have institutions mail the transcript to:
Morningside University
Sharon Walker School of Education
1501 Morningside Ave.
Sioux City, IA 51106
Fax: 712-274-5488
Email: soe@morningside.edu
STEP 3
Be officially admitted to Morningside University.
STEP 4
The Project Connect team will contact you and provide you with the Project Connect ESL Grant Application.
PROJECT CONNECT PATHWAYS
Scholarships for online programs leading to initial licenses and/or ESL endorsements for paraprofessionals, substitutes, and licensed educators, include these proposed pathways;
- ESL endorsement Online Program for currently licensed teachers.
- MAT Initial Licensure Online Program with ESL endorsement for personnel who have non-teaching college degrees.
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education Online Bachelor’s Completion Program with ESL endorsement for personnel who have earned at least 60 credit hours, but not a BS or BA degree.
Each of these licensure/endorsement pathways includes an ESL practicum in which teacher candidates will lead summer literature circles with selected students and families. Grant funds will provide hard copy books to participants as well as access to the AEA e-book library.
Project Connect ESL Consortium Partners will receive priority for being admitted to the grant.
Districts:
Boyden-Hull CSD
Denison CSD
Eagle Grove CSD
Marshalltown CSD
Postville CSD
Sioux Center CSD
Sioux City CSD
Storm Lake CSD
West Sioux CSD
Area Education Agencies (AEAs):
Central Rivers AEA
Keystone AEA
Northwest AEA
Prairie Lakes AEA
Scholarships for ESL-related Professional Development Courses will be offered through the Area Education Agency (AEA) Learning Online Program. These courses will be designed and delivered by Morningside University for both certified and non-certified personnel. Proposed titles include:
Non-Certified Staff Professional Development Courses
- Cultural Awareness – What’s My Lens?
- Beginning Spanish for Education Personnel
- Building Relationships with EL Students and Families
Certified Staff Professional Development Courses
- Becoming a Culturally Responsive Teacher
- Beginning Spanish for Education Personnel
- Cultivating EL Student Self-Efficacy
- Creating Culturally Relevant Connections to Content
- Dual Language Instructional Models
- Strengthening Literacy Skills for English Learners
- Using E-Books to Support Family Literacy
Courses Leading to Licensure Renewal Courses
To be determined.
PROJECT CONNECT FAQS
Project Connect ESL is a $2.3 million US Department of Education National Professional Development grant that has been awarded to Morningside University. This grant program will assist current certified educators in providing instruction and support to K-12 English Learners in the classroom through FULLY FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS for ESL online endorsement coursework.
Another component of the grant will be providing professional development to partnering school districts.
Certified K-12 Educators in Iowa wanting to add an ESL Endorsement to their current
certification.
Our partner schools will have priority should we receive more applicants than we have funds for year 1 of the grant. Students who are employed by school districts in the identified consortium at the time of grant application will have a preference for enrollment. All students must meet Morningside University and Sharon Walker School of Education requirements for admission to their respective programs. Other students may be considered as participants, as appropriate, and as funds are available.
YES! The ESL Endorsement is designed to be a 100% online delivery.
There are 6 courses (18 credit hours) to complete the ESL Endorsement.
Participants can complete the endorsement in 3-4 semesters.
You will not need to apply to Morningside University if you are a current student or a past student; however, you will need to make contact with the Project Connect team for a Program Request Change form and Project Connect application.
YES! You may complete the Practicum piece of the endorsement where you are currently working.
The Financial Aid Office at Morningside University will work in conjunction with the Business Office on campus in disbursing the scholarship funds. Current teachers do not need to fill out a FAFSA form, unless you want Financial Aid for the non-scholarship courses that are required for the Master’s degree.
Apply now for the 2025-2026 academic year. The sooner you apply, the better!
Yes, the additional courses will be at your own expense. Project Connect funds are only available for ESL coursework.
You would need to complete the required foundation courses, 7 courses for 17 credits. Required Foundation Core
CONTACT PROJECT CONNECT TEAM
Rebecca Zettle, M.Ed.
Project Connect ESL Program Coordinator
712-274-5275
Melissa Kanost, M.Ed.
Project Connect ESL Academic Coordinator
712-274-5118
Cynthia (Cindy) Witt, M.Ed.
Project Connect Academic Advisor
712-470-3633
PROJECT CONNECT TEAM
Kendall Saunders
Administrative Assistant
I love working at Morningside because of the dynamic environment, diverse interactions, and sense of purpose it offers. It is fulfilling and rewarding to be able to assist students, faculty, and staff to contribute to the university’s success.
Kendall’s Profile
