Testimonials

Contact now

“Definitivamente está mucho más claro y puedo planear para este año.”

“Loved getting PD in Spanish! More of this please!“

“Mario is a breath of fresh air—I think I know Spanish now!” [from a Vietnamese-English Dual Language participant]

“I learned that morphology and syntax can be fun!”

From Educators in the Field

Dr. Jeff Duncan-Andrade, Ph.D.
Professor Latina/o Studies & Race and Resistance Studies

Mario Palma is one of the most effective teachers and coaches of teachers that I have encountered in my 30+ years as an educator. We brought in numerous coaches and literacy experts to work with our children and teachers in Oakland (CA). No one had the impact that Mario had. Our early career teachers praised him for his patience, understanding, and skill to develop skills that had a real impact for our children. Our most experienced veteran teachers, some of whom have won national awards and others of whom were just making it through, had similar praise. He embodies the Vygotskian idea of identifying and teaching to the zone of proximal development while being uncompromising that every teacher can get better and that BIPOC children deserve better from all of us.

Dr.Ofelia García, Ph.D.
Professor Emerita
The Graduate Center City
University of New York

Mario Palma’s expertise supporting teachers of bilingual learners is extensive and practical. His many years of experience designing programming and pedagogical practices to support the language and literacy development of bilingual learners has made him one of the most sought-after experts in the field. What makes his expertise different from that of others is his ability to see the whole picture — from curricula and scopes of sequence  to pedagogical practices, to assessment and evaluation, all in relationship with each other. He is not only knowledgeable, but sensitive, generous with his time, and a great listener who knows how to adapt to the needs of different student and teacher populations. A pleasure to work with.

Erin Sterling
Director of Multilingual Services East Maine School District 63

Mario is a dynamic, inspirational professional developer who holds the attention of his audience from beginning to end. He is extremely knowledgeable in the field of multilingual education and will support schools/districts with moving instructional practices forward. His passion for teaching educators how to meet the unique and complex needs of bilingual students learning to read and write shines through during his presentations and leaves participants wanting to learn more. Speaking from experience, you will not go wrong in teaming up with Mario to assist you with meeting your school district’s professional learning needs.

Dr. Kathy Escamilla, Ph.D.
Professor Emerita
Equity, Bilingualism & Biliteracy

Mario Palma is the rare professional educator who is deeply knowledgeable about research and theory in teaching and learning for emergent bilingual learners and is able to translate that knowledge to working with teachers and schools. Truly a one of a kind in our field with much to offer to teachers and schools.

Dr. Manuel Escamilla, Ph.D.
Former Director BUENO
Equity Assistance Center
University of Colorado, Boulder

Mario Palma is a complete professional in teaching emerging bilingual learners. He is completely dedicated to serving these learners with knowledge, and skill and more importantly with honor and dignity.

Dr. Pedro A. Noguera, Ph.D.
Emery Stoops & Joyce King Stoops
Dean of the USC Rossier
School of Education

In order to address the inequities that plague American schools, teachers and leaders, need job embedded support that strategically places systems change at the center in order to meet the needs of their students. Mario Palma has the know-how and experience to help educators leverage the linguistic and cultural diversity of their students so that they can build on these strengths to improve academic outcomes, and drive social and emotional growth. Mario’s extensive background in Multilingual Learner (MLL) education, literacy and language acquisition and culturally responsive practices, can help educators to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to develop comprehensive approaches to systems change within districts and schools with an ever growing MLL population.

Dr. Julie Nora, Ph.D.
Director International Charter School
Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Over my 20 years as a principal of a dual language school, I have worked with many professional development providers. Mario stands out for his knowledge and passion for bilingual education. He is responsive and engaging. So many of the curricular requirements are rolled out without consideration of dual language settings. Mario has been key in helping us tailor new curricula for a dual language program.