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Professional Development for Educators

The International Charter School (ICS) has been nationally recognized as one of four “next-generation charter schools” for our work with English language learners (ELLs) in a report published by the Center for American Progress.  ICS Teaches is our effort to share the knowledge and experience we have learned since we opened in 2001 with others. Activities include:
  • Professional development workshops
  • School visits with classroom observations and feedback
  • Model classroom observations
  • Leadership support in the areas of language acquisition
  • Culturally responsive teaching
  • Social and emotional learning
In the summer, ICS Teaches offers Be GLAD® (Guided Language Acquisition and Design) Training, a professional development program for teachers in the greater Rhode Island community.
Be GLAD TRAINING AT ICS

Our Team

Julie Nora, Ph.D.

Julie Nora, has been Director of the International Charter School in Pawtucket Rhode Island since 2003. Previously she worked as a teacher of ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) in several K-16 educational settings. She received her B.A. in U.S. Intellectual History from U.C. Berkeley, her Masters in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from San Francisco State University, and her Ph.D. in Education from the University of Rhode Island/Rhode Island College in 2007 with a Specialization in Language, Literacy and Culture.

In addition to her responsibilities at ICS, Dr. Nora regularly serves on state education working groups. Her service has included Governor Raimondo’s Funding Formula Working Group, Governor Raimondo’s Diversity in STEM education Working Group, Commissioner Gists’s Equity in Education working group, the Rhode Island Race to the Top Steering Committee, State Limited English Proficient/English Language Learner Advisory Council, Ocean State World Language Commission and RIC President Sanchez’s Commission on Inclusive Education.

Rosa DeVarona, M.A.

With more than 25 years of experience in the field of education, Rosa DeVarona has been Assistant Director at the International Charter School since 2017. Previously she was the Spanish kindergarten teacher in our Spanish/English track. Rosa received her B.A. in Early Childhood Education, Spanish degree and a Bilingual Education Endorsement from Rhode Island College and her Masters in K-12 Administration from the University of Rhode Island (Aspiring Principals Program from the Providence School Department). Rosa D. is a RIELDS (Rhode Island Early Learning and Development Standards) trainer for early childhood education teachers, assistants and home-care providers. She was one of the original creators of the Rhode Island Early Childhood Learning Standards in 2003. Rosa is a Certified Agency Trainer in Guided Language Acquisition and Design (Be GLAD). She is a native Spanish speaker whose family immigrated from Cuba.

Mary-Ann Rinaldi

Mary-Ann Rinaldi has been a kindergarten and first grade teacher at the International Charter School since 2004. Her professional teaching career started in 1997 and has taken her around the country, including Alaska, Alabama, Georgia, and Virginia. She has experienced teaching in a variety of school settings and has worked with a wide range of children. Mary-Ann earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Rhode Island College, with a concentration in Elementary Education. She is a Pre-K though 6th grade highly certified teacher with an Early Childhood Bilingual/Dual Language and an Elementary English as a Second Language endorsement. She has been certified in the Literacy Collaborative model and has had extensive Responsive Classroom training. Mary-Ann is a Certified Agency Trainer in Guided Language Acquisition and Design (Be GLAD).

Michelle Johnson, M.Ed

Michelle Johnson, has been a teacher and coach at the International Charter School in Pawtucket, Rhode Island since 2001. She has a B.S. in Early Childhood Education: Concentration in Language Arts/Spanish, and an M.Ed. in Reading from Rhode Island College. She holds professional certifications in RI as a Reading Specialist/Consultant; ESL Specialist/Consultant; Early Childhood Education Teacher; English as a Second Language Teacher; and Early Childhood Bilingual and Dual language Education-English Teacher. She is trained at the Associate Level in the Orton-Gillingham Approach. She is also a former Reading Recovery teacher. Michelle is a Certified Agency Trainer in Guided Language Acquisition and Design (Be GLAD).

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