Immigration in Early Childhood Education CTLE Course
About the Course
This virtual module will equip early childhood educators in PreK-2nd grade settings with the tools and knowledge to better support our youngest students and their immigrant families. The module will allow educators to examine their own stances and assumptions about immigration and adopt a strengths-based approach towards their students. Grounded in the idea that our youngest students are deserving of meaningful instruction that centers their immigrant-origin identities, this course will offer strategies for creating welcoming and nurturing learning environments. Participants will explore diverse readings, videos, and resources to develop practices for supporting immigrant-origin students in early childhood settings.
All early childhood educators are encouraged to apply: teachers, social workers, paraprofessionals, school leaders, and others are welcome!
Sessions
Thursday, February 5, 2026 from 6:00 - 8:30pm ET
Thursday, February 12, 2026 from 6:00 - 8:30pm ET
Thursday, February 26, 2026 from 6:00 - 8:30pm ET
Deadlines
Confirmation of Placement on: Thursday, January 29, 2026
An additional 6.5 hours of asynchronous group and independent work.
Instructor: Kellie Griffith Tanaka
Given the high number of applicants, the application period for this course has been closed.
CTLE Professional Development Opportunities
The City University of New York - Initiative on Immigration and Education (CUNY-IIE) is offering free virtual professional learning opportunities to PreK-12 educators across New York State!
Upon successful completion of an immigration and education focused module, educators will earn 15 Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) credits.
The modules will include:
a 1-hour assignment prior to the start of the course (found at the end of the registration form linked below)
7.5 mandatory hours of synchronous sessions (divided between three 2.5 hour sessions)
and an additional 6.5 hours of asynchronous small group and independent work.
These modules take a strengths-based perspective (Gándara, 2018) of the resilience, multilingualism, and multiculturalism of immigrant students that prime them for 21st century learning. Whatever your area of certification, grade level, or position, you have the power and opportunity to educate yourself, your colleagues, and your students about current immigration issues.
These issues impact the freedoms, fears, hopes, and futures of our students and families in the U.S. and beyond.
Please note that we can only offer participation to educators working in public PreK-12 schools in New York State at this time.
