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We are Computer Science for Every Learner
Computer Science for Every Learner, a project of the Illinois Resource Center, trains bilingual/ESL K-12 teachers to use technology to improve and enhance teaching and learning for multilingual and minority students in elementary, middle and high schools.
We do this by providing Code.org and related training, augmented by applying the techniques of up-to-date multicultural and minority education. Our training is segmented by grade so that elementary teachers will learn ways to introduce children to computational thinking, using software tools designed for young learners, with similar age- and skill-appropriate lesson planning for middle and high school students.
The goal is to train under-served teachers so that they can equip their students with skills suitable for eventual admission to advanced and college computer science courses and jobs in technological industries. ELs and minority students need to know that they can not only use computers and software, they can also learn how to use technology to shape their learning and respond to the needs of their communities.
Finally, we work with administrators to help them understand our program and to prepare them to support newly trained teachers and their students. We encourage interested teachers to explore our program to see if it has benefits for you.
CSEL Summer Program Applications Now Open!
Code.org Summer Institute
June 23 – 27, 2025
In-person workshop
Crowne Plaza Chicago O’hare Hotel & Conference Center
5440 North River Road, Rosemont, Illinois 60018, United States
Presenter: Code.org Facilitators
- Computer science training with Code.org for K-12 EL teachers grouped in cohorts for elementary school teachers (K-5), middle school (6-8), and high school (9-12).
- Instruction will be provided virtually and in-person on weekends and during summer periods so that it does not interfere with classroom time.
- Instructors will include Code.org facilitators and other partner facilitators. All instruction will be tailored to meet the needs of teachers who serve ELs and other under-resourced students.
- The Code.org curriculum includes content from Computer Science Fundamentals (K-5), Computer Science Discoveries (6-8), and Computer Science Principles (9-12).
- No tech expertise is needed to participate. Educators with entry-level knowledge of computer science and technology are encouraged to apply.
- 6-12 grade teachers will receive a $2,000 stipend to help defray personal costs associated with this program.
- K-5 teachers will receive a $800 stipend to help defray personal costs associated with this program.
Upon completion, participating teachers will be awarded a Certificate of Completion from Code.org. Depending on the grade level, teachers will also receive up to 45 professional development hours. Additionally, National Louis University has agreed to provide graduate-level course credit for teacher participants in Code.org professional development for CS Discoveries and CS Principles. Participants can use their 1 SH of credit toward a lane change step in their district salary schedules and/or toward the M.Ed./Ed.S. Learning Sciences or M.Ed./Ed.S. Curriculum & Instruction Advanced Professional degree at NLU.
This program will be buttressed by corresponding administrators sessions, including an Administrators Academy on CS Equity and on implementation planning. The goal is to ensure that administrators provide the support necessary for teachers to succeed with the integration of CS into academics for linguistically and culturally diverse students.
IMPORTANT: Because CODE.org is not yet an approved Chicago Public School (CPS) vendor under the Illinois State Online Personal Protection Act (SOPPA Law), CPS teachers are not eligible to apply for the Code.org summer institute.
Capacity is limited and acceptance is on an ongoing basis until cohorts reach capacity at 25 participants per cohort.
Applicants will be assessed on the following criteria:
- The applicant possesses an ESL and/or bilingual endorsement, OR,
- The applicant works in a district in a Title III
- The applicant works in a Title I district
- The applicant’s understanding of and attitude towards the potential for advanced CS integration into teaching and learning.
To be accepted, teachers must agree to complete all training, including Spring 2025: EL Focused Workshops & Curriculum Planning:
- 1 spring date, Saturday, May 17, 2025, 9 am – 12 pm
June 23-27, 2025 Summer Institute with Code.org and Post sessions
- K-5 grades receive a two-day summer training (June 23-24, 2025)
- 6-12 grades receive a 5-day summer training (June 23-27, 2025)
- All participants: Required to attend lesson planning and classroom activities, following the Code.org training on June 28 & 30, 2024, for 3 virtual hours each day.
The application deadline is May 2025, or until spots are filled.
Chicago Public Schools Computational Thinking Cohort
June 25 – 26, 2025
Computer Science for Every Learner, an initiative at The Illinois Resource Center, is conducting exciting professional learning opportunities for PreK – 8 Chicago Public Schools teachers and administrators to learn strategies for integrating computer science and computational thinking across multiple grade bands and content areas.
CPS TEAMS: For motivated CPS teams of educators. Teams should consist of 2-3 persons from the same school.
In this workshop, you will:
- Review examples of Computational Thinking in unplugged activities and gain access to resources to use in your classroom
- Be introduced to the Computational Thinking Integration Framework and materials that support the planning efforts toward schoolwide integration of CT
- Review teacher knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge, and strategies that promote diversity and equity in student learning and application of CS/CT concepts
- Set goals and a vision for CT implementation plan to be referenced and iterated upon throughout the school year
- Develop background knowledge of what CT looks like when integrated into Mathematics, ELA, and classroom routines, without the use of devices and within a Computer Science classroom.
- Learn how to modify an existing lesson plan to integrate Computational Thinking skills and learn how to extend a lesson to create a computational artifact using a computer using tools such as Scratch, ScratchJr, etc.
Information about CT professional development:
- WHEN: June 25-26, 2025, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- WHERE: Crowne Plaza Chicago Ohare Hotel & Conf Ctr, an IHG Hotel in Rosemont
- Target audience: CPS Teachers, instructional coaches, and/or administrators who support multicultural learners.
- All selected participants will receive 14 professional learning hours through 2 day in-person sessions
- Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided
- Lodging is available for participants
- All participants will receive a stipend to help defray personal costs associated with attending the training
- Stipend: Travel to and from the Computational Thinking Integration in-person session will be covered by the program, and a stipend of $800 will be offered to help defray the personal costs associated with attending this P.D. Participants are required to attend all sessions to receive the full P.D. hours and stipend.
- All participants will receive a one-on-one, one-hour follow-up virtual coaching session in Summer 2025 with coaches
Applicants will be assessed on the following criteria:
- The applicant possesses an ESL and/or bilingual endorsement, OR,
- The applicant works in a district in a Title III
- The applicant works in a Title I district
- The applicant’s understanding of and attitude towards the potential for advanced CS integration into teaching and learning.
**Please note: You must have a minimum of 2 team members attending for the purpose of the training. This training is designed for teams to attend together. If you do not have at least 2 participants from the same school, please do not register.
The application deadline is May 2025, or until spots are filled.
