By bringing together trainers from varied backgrounds, we ensure that your school receives support that is culturally responsive, data-driven, and immediately impactful.
A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Professional Growth
Our trainers bring a unique blend of skills to every partnership:
Language Acquisition Experts: Specialists in WIDA standards and ELD frameworks who help teachers leverage the multilingual assets of every student.
Instructional Designers: Experts in adult learning theory who create engaging, high-impact workshops designed for immediate classroom application.
Culturally Responsive Practitioners: Advocates dedicated to building inclusive, equitable learning environments where every student feels seen and valued.
Former Classroom Leaders: Practitioners who understand the "just-in-time" needs of busy teachers and provide feasible, teacher-friendly guidance.
Diverse Real-World Experience: Professionals who bring a varied palette of interests and expertise that enhances their ELD work.
ELD Coaching Owner, Lead Trainer
I'm Jody and I have over 25 years of experience (has it really been that long?) as a classroom teacher, ELD specialist, instructional coach, education researcher, and one of the Northwest's leading OCDE Project GLAD® trainers. I began my career as a teacher and ELD trainer in a culturally and socio-economically diverse public school in Washington State. In 2007, I founded ESL Consulting Services, Inc. to meet the growing need across the country to educate English learners with culturally and linguistically sensitive practices - rebranded in 2026 as ELD Coaching! I served as lead trainer for an experimental study of OCDE Project GLAD®, funded by IES and conducted by Education Northwest. I also consult with San Diego County Department of Education as a Project GLAD®consultant, focusing on Middle and High School. I hold a teaching credential with an ESL endorsement from Pacific Oaks University and a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction. I have trained thousands of educators in the US and internationally to enhance classroom culture and instructional practices through the OCDE Project GLAD® model and have a passion for mentoring new trainers in training.
OCDE Project GLAD® Elementary Trainer
An educator for almost 30 years, Dr. Sara Martinez has worked with individuals from preschool to seniors. As a TEDx speaker and growth coach, combined with her doctoral work and experience in leadership development and change dynamics, she has a passion to see individuals and teams reach their full potential. Sara has extensive experience and background in educating English learners and individuals in low socioeconomic status environments and has held positions in education, nonprofit, and for-profit leadership. She joined forces with Jody nearly 20 years ago to provide top-quality OCDE Project GLAD® training and coaching through Next Steps. Sara currently holds faculty positions in the colleges of education at Eastern Washington University and Heritage University. (If that wasn't impressive enough), she is also a licensed dementia care specialist. You can learn more about her work at sparrowsenioradvisors.com.
OCDE Project GLAD® Secondary Trainer
Kelley started her career as a high school teacher in San Juan Capistrano and was one of the first high school OCDE Project GLAD®trainers in the country (and she broke the mold!). In 2004, she moved into the role of administrator and executive director when she founded Coastal Mountain Youth Academy, a non-profit high school for students struggling in a traditional school setting. She works alongside Jody consulting with the San Diego County Department of Education as a secondary specialist. Kelley has taken her education expertise working with trauma and addiction support into her current work as owner and executive director of Equine Assisted Coaching OC, where she supports clients in making change in their lives and to support others to become certified equine coaches.
OCDE Project GLAD® Trainer, Founder - Collaboration in Action
Lara Smith is an educator with over 25 years of experience as a language teacher, school principal, and currently a high school vice principal. Throughout her career, she has championed effective instruction for multilingual learners and has trained countless educators in sheltered instructional strategies as an OCDE Project GLAD® trainer. Her work centers on designing and sustaining high‑quality ELD models and programs where English learners thrive academically, linguistically, and socially. With deep experience across classroom teaching, site leadership, and professional development roles, Lara brings both a practitioner’s insight and a systems‑level perspective to supporting educators in creating equitable, engaging learning environments for all students.