Enhancing Language and Literacy Instruction for Multilingual Learners

We enable educators to boost language and literacy skills for young multilingual learners across the United States. Our mission is to provide high-quality professional learning that fuses proven literacy strategies with a strengths-based approach—ensuring every child has the chance to succeed.

Our team includes former classroom and ESL teachers, literacy experts, and dynamic professional learning providers. Contact us to learn more about how BELLA help your teachers accelerate learning for your multilingual learners.

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Our Team

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Leslie M. Babinski, Ph.D.

Co-founder and President of FigStar Learning

Leslie M. Babinski, Ph.D.

Co-founder and President of FigStar Learning. Dr. Babinski is also a Research Professor in the Center for Child and Family Policy in the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University. She received her doctorate in Educational and School Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Babinski is the former director of the Center for Child and Family Policy. Her research and development work focuses on teacher professional learning and school-based interventions to facilitate student success.

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Steven J. Amendum, Ph.D.

Co-founder and Vice President of FigStar Learning

Steven J. Amendum, Ph.D.

Co-founder and Vice President of FigStar Learning. Dr. Amendum is also a Professor and Director of the School of Education at the University of Delaware. He received his doctorate in literacy education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Amendum is a former elementary teacher with expertise in literacy development and instruction for multilingual learners, evidence-based classroom instruction, and teacher professional learning.

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Jennifer C. Mann, Ph.D.

Research Scientist at FigStar Learning

 

Jennifer C. Mann, Ph.D.

A Research Scientist at FigStar Learning. Dr. Mann is also a Research Scientist in the Center for Child and Family at Duke University. She received her doctorate in Teacher Education and Learning Sciences from North Carolina State University. Dr. Mann has over 15 years of experience teaching high school English and elementary English as a Second Language (ESL). Dr. Mann’s expertise is in education for multilingual learners, culturally sustaining critical pedagogies, and the social-emotional well-being of marginalized students.

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Transforming Instruction: The Story Behind BELLA

The BELLA program grew out of a shared passion for supporting teachers and transforming classrooms. Led by Dr. Leslie Babinski—a respected educational and school psychologist at Duke University—and Dr. Steve Amendum—a former elementary teacher and literacy expert at the University of Delaware—their 12-year collaboration has driven innovative research and real-world success. Their work on BELLA, proven to enhance teaching practices and boost student outcomes, inspired them to co-found FigStar Learning. Today, FigStar Learning brings the BELLA program to educators, offering practical tools and strategies to support multilingual learners and enrich classroom instruction.

Contact Us

At FigStar Learning, we are always ready to help you meet your goals for your multilingual learners. To learn more about how the BELLA Professional Learning Program can help you, let’s talk. We are here to help.

See how you can support your multilingual learners

The R&D described here was supported by the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education, through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program contract 91990024C0016 to FigStar Learning. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not represent views of the Institute or the U.S. Department of Education.