About Taju Educational
Solutions
ABOUT US
TaJu Educational Solutions
Lucy Carrera, Dual Language Consultant
Lucy is an experienced educator, coach and professional development presenter specializing in bilingual, dual language and language acquisition programs. She is a language learner herself, former bilingual teacher, and district-level biliteracy coach. She has worked with administrators, educators and community members for over 20 years to build, implement and refine the language acquisition programs in a high
Alexandra Alvarez, Dual Language Consultant
Alexandra Alvarez is an educator with almost ten years of experience teaching and supporting bilingual programs in Chicago area districts. She has served as a teacher and educational leader who has assisted with the implementation and development of dual language programs, the design of a dual language literacy curriculum, and as a key member of various school leadership teams. Additionally, as a key member of TaJu, Alexandra has designed professional development and collaborated with various states in its implementation. Her passion for education comes from valuing each student, her focus on equity and on the three pillars of dual language education. We welcome the experience Alexandra brings to support our colleagues with the delivery of instruction that ensures the success of our students.
Alexandra Guilamo, Chief Equity & Achievement Officer
As a language learner herself, Alexandra Güílamo has spent more than twenty years serving a wide range of language learner programs. Alexandra is a former teacher, academic coach, elementary school principal, and district-level director in highly diverse urban and suburban
school districts. She is one of the leading dual-language experts, an author, and keynote speaker, and the Chief Equity & Achievement Officer at TaJu Educational Solutions – a company dedicated to professional development, coaching, & technical support for the educators,
leaders, and communities of dual language & bilingual programs.
Dr. Kelli Bernedo, Bilingual Consultant
Dr. Kelli Dehr Bernedo has dedicated her life’s work to empowering academic success among emergent bilinguals and dual-language learners and equipping others to do the same. Her exposure with urban, suburban, rural, and international school settings has developed her expertise in teaching, coaching, and leading language-based programs. She has experience serving as a classroom teacher, a Spanish language teacher, an English as a world language teacher in Ecuador, an Emergent Bilingual (ESL) teacher, a district ESL director, a Dual Language instructional coach, and a university professor. Dr. Bernedo completed her Ph.D. from Indiana State University in 2019. Her dissertation research focused on K-12 school leadership and professional development needs as related to Emergent Bilingual learners. In her spare time, Dr. Bernedo loves to travel with her husband, John, and explore international cuisine.
Dr. Molly Riddle
Dr. Molly Riddle’s mission is to provide all students with a solid education geared toward their success in a pluralistic and increasingly global society. Her background includes eleven years of K-8 teaching, alternative education, and eight years teaching undergraduates and graduates in educator preparation programs. Infusing the principles and practices of diversity, equity, and social justice into her instructional philosophy, she coaches preservice and in-service teachers to explore ways in which they can best serve culturally, linguistically, and socioeconomically diverse student populations. As a scholar, she is also dedicated to research that cultivates a robust understanding of diversity, equity, and social justice within communities and classrooms.