Congratulations to Thomas Romero, director of the ESD 105 Migrant Education Regional Office, for being named the Outstanding GLAD Trainer of the Year! Romero's selection was announced during the 17th annual Project GLAD Trainer Conference held Sept. 25-26 in Costa Mesa, California.

Project GLAD (Guided Language Acquisition Design) is a professional development model for teachers of English language acquisition and literacy that promotes academic achievement and cross-cultural skills.  The program incorporates the use of high-level academic language and literacy, as well as strategies for promoting positive interactions among students and between teachers and students.

Teachers trained under the program go through a rigorous three-year program involving workshops, classroom demonstrations, strategy refinement, and presentations to their home school district.  Romero likens the process as similar to National Board certification.

September's award recognizes Romero's passion and high level of sucess in implementing the GLAD model throughout the region.  He, ESD 105 MERO Math Curriculum coordinator Jim Beichler, and Cle Elum-Roslyn instructor Rita Kretschman became first GLAD certified trainers in our region in the summer of 2008.  Another 12 teachers have become certified trainers, and eight more are expected to join those rolls by the end of 2009.  Romero anticipates a total of 60 people becoming certified as GLAD trainers in the MERO 105 service region within the next two years. 

"We've approached GLAD as a 'Trainer of Trainers' Cadre," says Romero.  "We provide the coaching and the mentoring all the way through.  It's embraced and supported here by our staff and by districts at the local level.  To have eventually have an impact on 60 teachers is quite significant. I'm very honored about the award, and it means our work in our region is recognized as being effective and making a difference."