When Project Momentum first launched with support from the U.S. Department of Education's National Professional Development (NPD) grant program in 2022, it was based on a clear and urgent need — too many educators across the country were walking into classrooms with multilingual learners (MLs) and feeling unprepared. 

Today, Project Momentum is a nationally recognized professional learning ecosystem reaching educators in more than 20 states. Housed at the Southeast Service Cooperative (SSC) in Rochester, Minnesota, its story is one of commitment, collaboration, and what becomes possible when people, purpose, and funding align.

Building From the Ground Up 

Today, Project Momentum enrolls 300–500 educators a month in its self-paced professional learning courses, as well as 80 principals and superintendents each year in its online leadership cohorts, and two dozen licensure candidates annually, each of whom commit to a rigorous 12–14-month, job-embedded program to earn an additional license in English as a Second Language (ESL) while also working full-time.  

Perhaps the most striking thing about Project Momentum’s accomplishments, however, is how much was built from scratch. "Project Momentum did not exist before the NPD grant program," says Dr. Ashley Karlsson, the project’s principal investigator and co-director. "We created it from the ground up based on local needs. The courses, the credential framework, the evaluation systems, the partnerships. All of it was made possible because of NPD funding."

It took a year to design, pilot, and launch the first set of courses. The licensure program was approved the following year after a rigorous state review, and Project Momentum’s Multilingual Learner Leadership micro-credential was introduced in 2025. 

That work has already produced measurable results. In December 2025, 36 candidates from Project Momentum’s first licensure cohort completed the program and were recommended for ESL licensure in Minnesota. These educators will help close Minnesota’s licensure gap, where over 400 ESL teachers are currently working on out-of-field permissions with limited preparation in second language acquisition. Their second licensure cohort is also well underway, with 24 additional candidates expected to complete the program by August 2026.

A System Designed for Multiple Entry Points

One of Project Momentum's defining features is the intentional architecture of its professional learning offerings. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, the program provides multiple pathways depending on an educator's goals, schedule, and career stage.

• Professional learning courses are available in self-paced and asynchronous formats to support full-time teachers with continuing education. 
• Micro-credentials aligned to state licensure standards assess and recognize specific educational competencies, evaluated directly by Project Momentum staff. 
• Leadership cohorts, offered in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Education, support school principals and superintendents in designing school systems and policies that effectively engage MLs and families. 
• A state-approved additional licensure program provides educators from all corners of Minnesota with an opportunity to earn full licensure in ESL. 

Together, these offerings create a comprehensive entry system that allows educators and school leaders to start wherever they are and keep moving forward.

Educators Want More High-Quality Professional Learning

The reach across rural communities is a point of particular pride. Many participants come from districts that lack access to nearby university programs or professional development networks. For these educators, Project Momentum fills an ongoing and urgent need.  

"Educators are eager for professional learning that is grounded in daily practice," Karlsson says. "They are doing this work because they feel it matters. And again and again, they tell us that they want more."  

Participant voices confirm this demand. Educators describe Project Momentum courses as rigorous, accessible, research-grounded, and immediately applicable in real classrooms. 

• "This was one of the most applicable continuing education courses I've ever taken. It was challenging, content went deep, and we had the opportunity to apply the knowledge. I'll be able to use this in my leadership, and I couldn't be more happy that I took this course.” - Leadership Cohort Participant 

• “These are excellent asynchronous professional development courses. Not many programs or companies offer this high-quality, relevant material with a solid research-base." - Assessment Accommodations for Multilingual Learners Course Participant 

• “I would recommend this course because it is both practical and rigorous. It goes beyond theory and consistently shows how to apply research-based practices for multilingual learners through concrete classroom examples, videos, and scaffolded tasks.” - Empowering Educators of Multilingual Learners Course Participant 

• “This was an excellent course. I got so much out of it, and I am honestly very excited to go back to my classroom and put some of these things into practice!" - Empowering Educators of Multilingual Learners Course Participant 

A Small Team. A Massive Impact.

Project Momentum is not a large organization. It operates with a lean team united by a shared conviction that ML educators deserve robust, high-quality, accessible preparation, and that the educators who serve MLs deserve the same. 
 
"Having the right group of people with a shared passion can create massive impact," Karlsson reflects. "That's something I hope other programs take seriously. You don't need to be enormous to matter. You need to be clear about what you're doing and why." 

What Comes Next

As the team wraps up Year 4 of their NPD grant, Project Momentum is looking ahead with ambition, and with the pragmatism of a team that knows what it takes to build something real. 
 
In the near term, the focus is on sustaining and strengthening the work. Their second licensure cohort will wrap up this summer, and they plan to launch their third cohort this fall. The team has been working to deepen relationships with local and state education agencies, and they continue to develop the program's course offerings, including coursework recently designed for Minnesota’s emerging teacher apprenticeship programs. 
 
Looking further out, the goals are expansion and longevity. Project Momentum is actively seeking continued partnership with local, state, and federal agencies, and other aligned organizations to secure the funding necessary to keep the program running and growing. The team is working toward reaching educators in additional states, bringing the same flexible, practice-grounded approach to new communities. 
 
“We want to keep the momentum going," Karlsson says simply. "The need hasn't gone away. If anything, it's grown. And we know how to do this work." 

Project Momentum is a U.S. Department of Education National Professional Development grant-funded initiative housed at the Southeast Service Cooperative (SSC) in Rochester, Minnesota. The program provides professional learning and licensure preparation for educators supporting multilingual learners, with participants across more than 20 states. Learn more at www.projectmomentum.org.