Achieving Academic Excellence Together
Collaborative and customized learning solutions for schools and districts.
LLAMAME, LLC
Empowering Educators for Diverse Classrooms
At LLAMAME, LLC, we are dedicated to helping educators develop effective instructional strategies and learning environments for culturally and linguistically diverse students. Our expertise in language and literacy education enables us to provide customized support and resources to ensure the success of all students.
About LLAMAME, LLC
JoAnne Negrin, Ed.D.
Dr. Negrin was previously the Supervisor of ESL, Bilingual Education, World Languages, and Performing Arts for the Vineland, NJ Public Schools. She also served as Chair of the NJPSA ML Leadership Committee and as a Past President and as Conference Chair of NJTESOL/NJBE. She has developed and improved upon many innovative programs for MLs, and her programs in Vineland held NJ Department Of Education Model Program status for innovation and excellence. She believes that all students should be afforded the opportunity to become bilingual and biliterate, and that multilingualism and multiculturalism are critical components of personal and economic fulfillment.
The following honors are among the most meaningful that Dr. Negrin has received:
2023 NJ Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents Central Office Administrator of the Year
2023 PDK International Distinguished Educator
2022 Fulbright Leaders for Global Schools Fellow
2020 NJTESOL/NJBE Fred Carrigg Leadership Award
2019 New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association Visionary Supervisor/Director Award
Julie Ochoa, M.Ed.
Ms. Julie Ochoa was the Supervisor of ESL and Bilingual Programs in Franklin Township, NJ (Somerset) from 2009 until 2024. During her tenure in Franklin, Ms. Ochoa's elementary and high school ESL programs as well as the elementary bilingual program were awarded Model Program status from the NJ Department Of Education. Along with a team of professionals, Ms. Ochoa developed a course at Rutgers University titled "Teaching Emerging Bilinguals," which she taught for seven years. As a member of the MLL committee at NJPSA, Ms. Ochoa worked with her colleagues to improve collaboration between ESL/Bilingual and Special Ed. Departments. She is also a member of NJTESOL-NJBE from whom she received Fred Carrig Leadership Award in 2021. Julie believes that all students deserve to have educational experiences in environments where all educators have an asset-based perspective of bilingualism, biliteracy and cultural identity.
Unlock Your Potential with LLAMAME, LLC
Sheltered English Instruction (SEI) Training
A 15-18 hour deep focus on strategies for making content comprehensible to multilingual learners and all students. Attendees will leave with a list of interactive strategies that they have experienced during training and will be able to immediately apply in their content area. This training meets the requirements for training under the NJDOE Sheltered Instruction bilingual waiver.
SEI Refresher
A one-day training for teachers who have met the 15-hour requirement, but would benefit from revisiting the highlights of that training.
SEI Practices for Teachers of Specific Content Areas
A semi-customized training that reviews SEI practices with a focus on a particular grade level or subject area. For example, we have provided this training to high school teachers of Social Studies, of Science, and of Career and Technical Education. This training can supplement the 15-hour course of study required for the NJDOE SEI waiver, but because it is typically a one-day program, it does not satisfy that requirement.
SEI Practices - Train the Trainers
This is typically a two-day training designed for teachers and coaches who have already received their 15-hour SEI training, and would like to be able to provide PD sessions or lead PLCs on supporting MLs. This training provides a deep dive into topics such as how to tease out the language of the content area in order to support the creation of language objectives and how to support content and language development by WIDA proficiency level while maintaining rigor.
Training for Administrators
Can be tailored to the needs of the district. Topics may include an overview of Sheltered Instruction practices and observation "look-fors", ML-related law, policy, and practice, This training satisfies the NJDOE requirement for training of administrators who supervise and evaluate teachers of MLs.
Coaching for Administrators
Let our thirty-some years of combined experience as ESL/Bilingual supervisors work for you! We are happy to work with administrators in areas of scheduling, teacher evaluation that supports best practices with MLs, orientation to ESL/Bilingual programs, and any other areas of support your administration or district might benefit from. Every district has a unique set of needs and assets, and we will problem-solve with you to make sure your programs are optimized.
Program/Curriculum Evaluation
Review of policies, programs, practices, and data and recommendations for improvement in each of those areas.
Difference or Disability? Serving MLs Experiencing Learning Difficulties
Half or full-day sessions for teachers, Child Study Team members, intervention teams, and any other staff involved in providing for and documenting the provision of intervention, referral, and evaluation services for MLs. Topics include legal considerations, how teams can work together across departments, and how teachers and interventionists can provide documentation that ensures that MLs receive exactly what they need, when they need it.
Supporting MLs With the Science of Reading
Too often, teachers and administrators of MLs and other students with learning challenges view the Science of Reading (SoR) as phonics boot camp. This workshop provides both the theoretical underpinnings and concrete strategies for pinpointing and addressing reading difficulties in MLs, using an asset-based approach to current SoR pedagogy.
Using AI to support ML Achievement and Independence
In this workshop, teachers learn how AI can be a tool for providing access to high-quality, grade level content. Through these tools, we can teach students critical reading and thinking, as well as provide a means for students to become independent learners.
Direct Teacher Coaching/ PLC Training
Working directly with teachers to ensure fidelity of implementation of Sheltered Instruction or other targeted practices across a school or district.
Customized Training and Assistance
We offer professional consulting services to schools and districts on an hourly, half-day, or full-day basis to provide feedback and recommendations on specific topics. We also offer training to school and district staff on any ML-related topic, and will work with the district to create professional development opportunities that meet specific goals.