Jennifer Q. Efflandt (she/her/hers)
Executive Director of Multilingual Learners
Languages Spoken: Spanish and English
 

As the Executive Director of Multilingual Learners for Providence Schools, Jennifer oversees the identification and services of all MLL students in the district. Jennifer uses her lived experience as a low income, Multilingual Learner in Providence and the educational discrepancies she experienced to fuel her drive to help bring education equity to her community. She believes all students, regardless of race, native language, socioeconomic status, citizenship status or disability have a fundamental right to receive a high quality, rigorous education that prepares them to excel in college and their career of choice.

Previously, Jennifer has served as an MLL coach, coordinator, and consultant, as well as an Early Childhood, Dual Language, and ESL teacher.

Jennifer holds a Master of Education from Southern Methodist University and a Bachelor of Arts from Brown University. She obtained her administrator certification through the Principal Residency Network at the Center for Leadership and Educational Equity.​ Her studies include Visual Art, Bilingual and Bicultural Education, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, and School Leadership.

Jennifer immigrated from Guatemala and entered Providence Schools as a Multilingual Learner when she was five years old. She feels very fortunate to have a role where she can serve in her community. 

Jennifer can be reached at jennifer.efflandt@ppsd.org or 401-456-9100 ext. 13140.

Nelia Fontes (she/her/hers)  
Supervisor of Dual Language Programs & Services
Languages Spoken: Portuguese, English, and Spanish

As PPSD’s Supervisor of Dual Language Programs & Services, Nelia oversees the implementation of high quality instruction and curriculum across the district’s dual language/bilingual programs. She has served as a Multilingual Learner educator and leader in PPSD for over 20 years, and held roles as a Bilingual Teacher, MLL Specialist and Manager. As a child immigrant and former Multilingual Learner, Nelia uses her personal,  professional experiences and knowledge to advocate for equity and a high quality education for our MLLs that values and elevates their languages and cultures.

Nelia holds a Master’s Degree in Bilingual Bicultural Education, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, Spanish, and School Leadership.

Nelia can be reached at nelia.fontes@ppsd.org.

Diana Ferreira (she/her/hers)
Coordinator of Multilingual Learners
Languages Spoken: English and Spanish

As the Coordinator for Providence Public Schools’ Multilingual Learners (MLL) programs, Diana manages the day-to-day operations that support over 8,000 multilingual students across the district. Her role includes fostering communication and collaboration between the Office of Multilingual Learners, other district departments, and individual schools to ensure all programs run efficiently and effectively.

Driven by a passion for bridging language barriers, she advocates for equitable access to education, ensuring that non-English-speaking Rhode Islanders have the knowledge and resources necessary to make informed decisions. She believes that education is key to empowering underserved communities, and is committed to creating pathways that lead to equitable opportunities for all.

Prior to joining the MLL Team, she worked in operations for public charter schools across Rhode Island, where she honed her skills in school management and systems development. Having immigrated from Colombia at a young age and growing up in Central Falls and Pawtucket, RI, she understands firsthand the challenges many multilingual learner students face. Today, she proudly calls Providence home, where she lives with her family and continues her work to uplift multilingual learners in the City of Providence.

Diana can be reached at diana.ferreira@ppsd.org.

Angela Vieira (she/her/hers)
Elementary Manager of Multilingual Learner Instruction
Languages Spoken: English and beginner Spanish

As a Manager of Multilingual Learner Instruction at PPSD, Angela provides direct support to various school staff, including teachers, coaches, coordinators, guidance counselors, related service providers, and administrators, in their efforts to support the Elementary Multilingual Learner (MLL) population. Her commitment to the Providence school system began in 2001, and she has since held multiple roles, including Special Education Resource Teacher, ESL Classroom Teacher, Multilingual Learner Coach, and Literacy Coach. Moreover, Angela's dedication to promoting language education extends beyond PPSD, as she serves as a Continuing Ed Instructor at Roger Williams University, where she champions the TESOL certificate for teachers across the state.

Having been born and raised in Providence, Angela's personal journey through Providence Public Schools, culminating with the Teacher Academy at Mount Pleasant High School, laid the foundation for her passion for education. This passion has been the driving force behind her diverse roles and her unwavering dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of students and educators alike. Angela obtained a Bachelor's degree in Special Education, a Master's degree in Urban Multicultural Special Education, a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Providence College and TESOL Consultant/Supervisor certification from Rhode Island College. 

Angela resides in Rhode Island with her blended family. She enjoys watching New England sports teams and spending time outdoors with friends and family.

Angela can be reached at angela.vieira@ppsd.org.

Rosario Johnson (she/her/hers)
Multilingual Learner Manager
Languages Spoken: Spanish and English

As an Multilingual Learner Manager Rosario works alongside elementary school leadership teams to enhance instructional practices, support placement/programs and champion student equity. She has served in several positions in Providence Schools over her 35 year career as an educator - 26 years as a math teacher at Roger Williams Middle School, 5 years as an Assistant Principal and 2 years as Principal at Frank D. Spaziano Elementary School, and now in her second year as an MLL Manager. 

Rosario holds a Master of Arts in ESL in the Content Area and Cultural Studies and a Leadership Certification through the Principal Residency Network at the Center for Leadership and Educational Equity. Her lived, educational, and professional experiences make her wholly suited to serve multilingual learners, and she is excited for the opportunity to continue to support future generations of diverse students in Providence.

Born in Costa Rica to Ecuadorian parents, Rosario was raised in Providence since 1972 and is a product of Providence Schools herself. Rosario lives in Cranston with her family. She loves to sing, play the guitar, read, and spend time with immediate and extended family around the world.

Rosario can be reached at rosario.johnson@ppsd.org.

Michelle Johnson (she/her/hers)
Interim Director of Multilingual Learner Instruction and Services
Languages Spoken: English and Spanish

As PPSD's Interim Director of Multilingual Learner Instruction & Services, Michelle collaborates with PPSD schools to amplify quality programs for MLLs. She values the core belief that all learners have limitless potential and bring varied strengths and assets to a learning community. As a leader for equity, Michelle works to support growth and agency through deep engagement in learning opportunities and by building authentic relationships with diverse stakeholders.

Michelle has over twenty years of experience serving in various MLL and educational leadership roles. Prior to joining the PPSD MLL team, she worked as a curriculum coordinator, an adjunct professor, a multilingual learner specialist/consultant, a reading specialist/consultant, a dual language teacher, and an educational consultant. 

Michelle is a doctoral candidate in the Johnson and Wales University Educational Leadership program. She obtained her administrator certification after completing the Principal Residency Network at the Center for Leadership and Educational Equity. She earned a C.A.G.S. from JWU, and a B.S and M.Ed. from Rhode Island College.

Michelle lives in Rhode Island, enjoys relaxing with a great book and spending quality time with loved ones. You can often find her cooking and sharing meals with family and friends. Reach out to share a favorite recipe or restaurant.

Michelle can be reached at michelle.johnson@ppsd.org.

Dina Cerra (she/her/hers)
MLL Manager
Languages Spoken: English

As PPSD's Multilingual Learner Manager, Dina supports high schools in the implementation of quality programs for MLLs. Dina believes that all MLL students must receive a high-quality education that supports students socially, emotionally, and academically. Before joining the PPSD Office of Multilingual Learners, she served as a principal, assistant principal, coach, and high school English teacher. 

Dina holds a Master of Arts in School Administration from the University of Rhode Island, teaching certificates in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from Roger Williams University, and Secondary English from Providence College. Dina also holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Rhode Island College.

Dina is of Italian descent. Originally from Providence, RI she currently lives in Smithfield with her husband and teenage son. She and her family love to travel and she enjoys spending time with family, hiking, and all things education.

Dina can be reached at dina.cerra@ppsd.org.

Mary-Ann Rinaldi (she/her/hers)
Sheltered Content Instruction (SCI) Coach - MLLs
Languages Spoken: English and beginner Spanish

As a Sheltered Content Instruction (SCI) Coach, Mary-Ann Rinaldi provides job-embedded support through coaching, co-teaching, modeling, and planning to enhance the capacity of general education teachers and support their multilingual students. With almost three decades of experience in education with twenty being in a Dual-Language setting, she is a passionate educational leader dedicated to helping educators expand their repertoire of strategies to effectively serve diverse learners. Mary-Ann holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Elementary Education from Rhode Island College and has extensive experience as a dual language teacher, coach, and trainer. Mary-Ann actively contributes to national and regional professional organizations, where she has presented on bilingual and dual-language education.

In addition to her years of teaching in Rhode Island, Mary-Ann has had the opportunity to live and teach across the United States, including in Alaska, Alabama, Georgia, and Virginia. These diverse experiences have allowed her to work in a range of school settings and enrich her teaching practice. Her favorite role is being a mom to her two children and wife to her husband of many years. Outside of work, Mary-Ann enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and eating together, relaxing at the beach, or gathering around a campfire.

Mary-Ann can be reached at maryann.rinaldi@ppsd.org.

Silvana Laramee (she/her/hers)
Sheltered Content Instruction (SCI) Coach - MLLs
Languages Spoken: English and Spanish

As a Sheltered Content Instruction (SCI) Coach, Silvana Larame provides job-embedded support through coaching, co-teaching, modeling, and planning to enhance the knowledge base of general education teachers and support their multilingual students. With over three decades of experience in education all being with Multilingual learners with the Providence Public Schools, she is a passionate educational leader dedicated to helping educators expand their knowledge of strategies to effectively serve and support diverse learners. 

Silvana holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Elementary Education from Rhode Island College, a Masters in English as a Second Language from Rhode Island College, is Nationally Board Certified in English as a New Language and has extensive experience as a bilingual language teacher, MLL coach, Literacy coach and trainer. Silvana actively attends national and regional professional conferences, where she has presented on bilingual education issues, dually
identified special education and bilingual education and benefits of co-teaching and looping.

Silvana immigrated from Uruguay with her parents and brother when she was 7½ years old to the town of West Warwick, RI where she completed her studies. She currently still resides in West Warwick with her husband and children. She loves to be around her three children more than anything and values family over anything. She also enjoys spending time with her pets, reading, and relaxing outdoors, especially during her favorite season of the year, fall.

Silvana can be reached at Silvana.Laramee@ppsd.org