Our mission is to provide professional learning for all teachers to support high quality, equitable education for multilingual learners. We believe that a diverse teaching workforce is crucial for the success of our students and our communities. Our program provides a robust pathway for talented, multilingual adults to become certified teachers, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to foster both academic and social excellence among multilingual learners. By investing in these future educators, we not only enhance the quality of education but also contribute to the creation of a more inclusive and equitable society.
This initiative has its roots in a committed group of educators committed to creating a pathway to success for PK-12 teachers seeking to improve learning for multilingual learners in our public schools. We believe transformative change will only happen when every teacher has the knowledge and skills to work effectively with multilingual learners in every classroom.
The ExcEL Leadership Academy program is recognized by the State of Rhode Island as an approved Education Program Provider and prepares candidates for the MLL Endorsement, ESOL Certification, and Bilingual Dual Language Certification. Certifications and endorsements are available via ExcEL pathways in states and districts across the nation as well.
Meet Our Staff
Laureen Avery
Staff
Laureen Avery is an educator, program builder, and nonprofit leader with a decades-long commitment to advancing educational equity and improving outcomes for multilingual learners. Over the course of her career, she has partnered with schools, districts, and community organizations to design and lead high-impact professional learning grounded in research, practice, and the lived experiences of educators and students. As a founding leader of the ExcEL Educators Leadership Academy, Laureen led the development of ExcEL’s competency-based curriculum—creating a rigorous, job-embedded teacher education model built around micro-credentials, performance-based assessment, and reflective practice. Her work centers on expanding access to high-quality, affordable pathways into teaching, strengthening instruction for multilingual learners, and supporting educators to grow as reflective, culturally responsive professionals who make a measurable difference in classrooms and communities.
Jason Cervone
Staff
Jason Cervone has served for two decades as an educator, leader, and cofounder of the ExcEL program. He has worked with school districts and community organizations across the country to support educators in meeting the needs of their students. He has dedicated his career to educational and social equity, and sought transformative leadership practices that center the experiences of teachers and students; creating programs that are practical and relevant for the classroom.
As Director of Programming, he seeks to ensure that ExcEL is adaptable to the needs of participants and that educators are supported at every stage of the program. Jason received his PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy from UMass-Dartmouth, where he focused on geographic inequities, particularly in rural schools and communities.
Lisa Cante
Faculty
Lisa Cante is a dedicated educator with a deep passion for supporting traditionally underserved students, as well as their families and communities and is a proud graduate of the ExcEL program. With nearly 20 years of experience teaching Physics, AP Physics, Chemistry, Physical Science, and Environmental Science at Hope High School in Providence, RI, Lisa has long been committed to fostering academic success and equity.
During her tenure at Hope High School, she led initiatives such as the Race Matters program and co-chaired the World Cultures Extravaganza Committee, alongside engaging in numerous other impactful activities. Since joining the ExcEL team, Lisa has completed both the Essentials and Advanced set of ExcEL micro-credentials, helping to deepen her knowledge of both English Language Learners and the ExcEL program and mission.
Now serving as Lead Faculty, Lisa brings her extensive expertise in teaching and learning to the ExcEL Educators Leadership Academy, where she is passionate about supporting educators through the ExcEL micro-credential program. Her extensive work with ELLs throughout her career allows her to offer actionable, practical strategies to fellow educators. At the same time, she continues to grow alongside the educators she serves, learning from their diverse perspectives and experiences.
Michaela McCaughey
Faculty
Michaela McCaughey has been a high school Spanish Heritage teacher in Providence, Rhode Island for 10 years, and has recently moved to teaching Dual Language Kindergarten in Pawtucket, RI.
She is grateful to be a graduate of the ExcEL program in both the ESOL and Bilingual/Dual Language pathways, earning both teaching certifications. She has been an ExcEL Coach working with RI and Washington teachers for several years, and in her role now as a Program Specialist, she brings her experience with her as a lifelong learner to help support educators in the program, no matter where they are starting from or what their context is.
Her students–now ranging the full spectrum of K-12–are multilingual artists of all genres who push and inspire her. Her high school curriculum focused on social justice, culturally responsive teaching, arts-integration, and (bi)literacy, and this has proven to be highly transferable to the younger grades. Now in kindergarten, she brings a strong SEL lens, commitment to family engagement, and ensuring literacy and math are accessible–not to mention downright magical– to all students, and that bilingualism is seen as the incredible asset it is.
Corinn Parker
Faculty
Corinn Parker is an elementary educator with five years of experience teaching kindergarten and transition to kindergarten. Currently a first-grade teacher, she is passionate about creating engaging, inclusive learning environments where all students can thrive. Upon completion of the ExcEL program, Corinn earned the Washington Multilingual Learner (MLL) endorsement and is committed to supporting language development through culturally responsive and research-based instructional practices. As an ExcEL faculty member, Corinn is excited to continue empowering educators and advocating for equitable learning opportunities for all students.