ENL and World Language Council
The ENL and World Language (WL) Council plays a pivotal role as an advisory and instructional powerhouse, driving key initiatives that champion Bilingual Education, ENL, and World Language programs within the Mid-State RBERN region.
With a special focus on promoting the prestigious New York State Seal of Biliteracy, this council—comprised of educators and leaders from various roles—brings invaluable expertise to the table. Their collective efforts strengthen and expand Mid-State RBERN’s reach across 126 districts and 9 BOCES, ensuring innovative strategies and best practices make a lasting impact on schools across the region.
ENL COUNCIL
Deborah Wilson-Allam
Frankfort-Schuyler School District
ENL Teacher - High School
Deborah Wilson-Allam is an ENL teacher at Frankfort-Schuyler High School in Herkimer County.
Originally from Oneida, Deborah earned her BA in international relations from Bucknell University and her MA in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) from the American University in Cairo.
She first taught K-12 ENL in Cairo, Egypt, and then in Wisconsin and New York before becoming the coordinator of OCM BOCES’ Bilingual Education Technical Assistance Center (BETAC), the forerunner to today’s RBERN, in 2001.
Later, Deborah became an administrator in the Utica City School District, overseeing UPK, magnet schools, student services, and ENL services. In 2014, Deborah moved into the field of international education at Utica University, responsible for incoming international students, outgoing study abroad students, and faculty-led international programs. She also taught pre-service teaching courses in TESOL methodology.
She has one grown daughter and lives in New Hartford with her husband and three cats.
Katie Knapp
ENL Instructional Coach
Liverpool Central School District
Katie Knapp began her career in the Syracuse City School District, working with English Language Learners (ELLs) in grades 6-12.
She then transitioned to the K-6 level in the Liverpool Central School District, where she spent nine years, followed by a few years at Liverpool High School.
For the past two years, Katie has served as an ENL Instructional Coach for the district. Additionally, she has had the privilege of being a member of the ENL Council since its inception.
Samara Romo
Binghamton City School District
Collaborative Coach
Samara has served an educator in many states and settings, from teaching little ones and middle school, to now as an instructional collaborative coach.
She is a former ELL with a passion that lies in working with ELLs and their families, advocating for their needs and helping them adjust to their new surroundings. Samara is a mom to two awesome kids and she loves to dance!
Janet Staub
Syracuse City School District
ESL Facilitator for West Side Learning Center
Janet is an educator with 19 years of experience in the ENL field.
She has worked as a classroom ENL teacher, Language Assessor, Refugee Academic Coach, and is currently the ESL Facilitator for Adult Education at West Side Learning Center.
She is passionate about serving multilingual students and their families. Outside of the classroom, she is a mom to two amazing daughters, and she loves to travel and cook.
Dr. Susanna Cook
North Syracuse Central School District
ENL Teacher
Dr. Cook has taught ENL in the North Syracuse Central School District for fifteen years.
Prior to that, she taught middle school Spanish and fifth grade in Albany City School District’s Dual Language Program, as well as high school / college-level courses at Weedsport.
Working with multilingual learners and their families is Dr. Cook’s passion. There is something very, very special and unique about the connections made. Dr. Cook believes these connections are often at their most essential when newcomer families come into our district.
She relates, “For me, home visits are a great way to build relationships and get to know my new students and their households. Through home visits, I can determine if there are any acute needs in the home. It’s immensely rewarding to help families get connected to needed resources so that they can really take agency over their new lives in our community.”
WORLD LANGUAGE COUNCIL
Amie Dubos
Spanish Teacher
Tully JR/SR High School
Amie is a dedicated Spanish teacher with 18 years of experience, currently teaching at Tully Jr/Sr High School.
She has been a member of the World Language Council since its inception and serves as the department chair, mentoring new teachers and advising the International Club and Spanish National Honor Society.
Now in her second year as the Seal of Biliteracy Coordinator for Tully, she is committed to promoting language proficiency and cultural appreciation.
Outside of school, she enjoys spending summers camping and traveling with her husband and two sons. She is passionate about creating a classroom environment where students feel safe to take risks, make mistakes, and grow through their learning experiences.
Amanda Silva
Cincinnatus Central School District
French Teacher
Amanda holds both a BA and MA in French Education from SUNY Cortland.
She leads the local French Club, serves on the Teacher Center Policy Board, and acts as the district’s mentor teacher, supporting new educators in their professional growth. An active member of LECNY and NYSAFLT, Amanda is passionate about world language instruction and enjoys collaborating with colleagues to enhance language learning experiences.
Jessica Killian
Jordan-Elbridge Central School District
Spanish Teacher 9-12
Jessica discovered a passion for adolescent education during a semester abroad in Heredia, Costa Rica, where she volunteered at a high school administering English-speaking exams.
Following this experience, she began teaching grades K-6 at a Catholic elementary school near SUNY Geneseo, where she was a student. Over the years, her career has taken her to various locations across New York State, ultimately settling in Marcellus with her husband.
With over 15 years of experience teaching Spanish to students from kindergarten through high school, Killian’s favorite age group remains high school students.
She continues to deepen her knowledge of the Spanish language and the rich diversity of cultures it represents, inspiring her students to open their minds to the wider world.