Cori Smith joined the Mid-West RBERN team as a Professional Development Specialist in 2022. Before that she taught K-12 ESOL in New York State for 22 years. She also has experience teaching English in Asia and in Latin America. Cori helped to develop the regional ESL Summer School program and co-lead this program for several years. She is passionate about ENL instruction and advocating for students. Cori enjoys supporting educators and she finds ways to connect with and engage all learners. She facilitates the Genesee Valley BOCES ENL Teacher Cohort and leads the CTE ENL Champions group (for instructional support) at WeMoCo CTE. Some of Cori's favorite topics to teach about are oracy, quality instruction for ELLs/MLs, social emotional learning, and culturally responsive and sustaining education. She has been known to bring dancing, rock painting, and a singing bowl to her PD sessions. Cori holds a Master of Education degree in TESOL and a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education.