About LL Teach Inc.
What we are about
The LLTeach Inc. family of employees is committed to excellence and dedicated to quality. We believe that all students can learn math. Our company provides workshops, materials and support to help teachers promote crystal-clear understanding, boost retention and contribute to every student’s ability to apply concepts in everyday, problem-solving situations.
Most importantly we want to help students believe in themselves, to provide them with an “I can” attitude and to raise the self-esteem of every student.
After navigating our website and reviewing the materials, workshops and full programs offered by LLTeach Inc., you will see that we are continually striving to make this happen.
In the classroom, teachers often wonder how they will be able to reach all of the children for whom they are responsible. Some youngsters come to school ready to learn, but many do not. Some are well dressed, well fed, and well loved. Many are not. Some love school, and some find it the only refuge from hectic lives, but many do not. Some learn quickly and easily, but many struggle, and many are not able to persevere.
So how is it possible for us to really believe and act on the philosophy that , “All children can learn?” At LLTeach Inc., we think it is the only ethical answer we can provide. Humans are programmed to learn. The problem for educators is that we may not yet know the best ways to teach.
It is the search for the best ways to teach that energizes and drives us.
The advantage to educators today is that over the last fifty – and certainly the last twenty – years, there has been a great deal of very good educational research that we can use for guidance. As teachers, grounded in years of classroom experience, we believe that the ability to translate theory and research into actual in-class practice is a keystone of the professional development and curriculum materials offered by LLTeach Inc. Our materials and workshops demonstrate — show in good practice — the best of current educational theory, including:
- active participation,
- monitoring learning and adjusting teaching,
- using motivational techniques for both classroom management and engaged learning,
- addressing various learning styles,
- scaffolding and spiraling of concepts,
- an educationally sound approach to “test prep,”
- structures for differentiation of instruction,
- closing the achievement gap, and
- teaching English language learners.
Hands-on, standards-based, discovery-oriented mathematics can and should include all of the above. It is our current best effort to ensure that all children we touch learn mathematics effectively. Fortunately, the results of districts using the LLTeach Inc. approach testify to the success of these efforts. But do we know, right now, everything possible about how to help all children learn? No, but we continue to strive to attain that goal.
That's what LLTeach is all about.
Meet Paul Lawrence
"I am a fortunate individual. Ever since I was in elementary school, I wanted to be a teacher. Now, at the age of 62, I have no regrets about choosing teaching as a career. It has given me a lifetime of opportunity to meet the daily challenges of engaging all students in meaningful activities that foster understanding, retention and the ability to apply learning in new situations. I am convinced the challenge will stay with me until the end of my career. As long as there is one student who still just doesn’t "get it", there is an opportunity to think outside the box, create a different way to look at concepts, add excitement to learning and share these approaches with colleges. The ultimate reward is hearing students say they understand when they never thought they could."
Paul Lawrence Biography
Believing that ALL students can learn mathematics, Paul Lawrence is widely known for both his lively workshops for teachers of kindergarten through college and for the innovative teaching materials he has prepared. His hallmark is practical ideas and lessons which can be implemented in all classrooms.
Paul has been involved in mathematics education for over forty years. He has taught high school mathematics and has been a math supervisor, K-12 as well as a visiting part time lecturer at Rutgers University and a past President of the Association of Math Teachers of New Jersey (AMTNJ). In addition, he has been a member of New Jersey committees on the state tests in mathematics and has served as a member of the New and Experienced Teacher Institutes for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics since their inception in 1986. He is often a presenter at local, state and national conferences and has conducted hundreds of workshops throughout the United States. Paul was named by AMTNJ as the Max Sobel Outstanding Mathematics Educator for 2000.
His most recent passion has been to work on closing the achievement gap and is very proud that his Grade 3-6 Communicator Mathematics® program and team of outstanding coaches were chosen by a large urban school district in New Jersey. The results of this effort are that after just three years of implementation, there has been a gain of over 50% in the passing rate on the state assessments in grades 3 and 4. In addition, the district has been named by the Broad Foundation as one of the five outstanding urban districts in the US, in part because it has been able to show improvement in closing the achievement gap in literacy and mathematics.
Meet our coaches
Kari Aloisio
Kari Aloisio is an experienced mathematics teacher and instructional supervisor. She has been privileged to serve students and teachers from grades seven through twelve in a variety of educational settings. Kari enjoys creating lessons that link conceptual understanding with technology and manipulatives as well as professional development experiences that are not only relevant, but also classroom ready. She is deeply committed to the success of her students and teachers. Kari holds a BA in Mathematics and Secondary Education from Western Maryland College (Mc Daniel College) and an ED. M in Learning and Teaching from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education. In addition, she completed her instructional supervisor's certification through Rutgers University. Kari has also served on a variety of committees for the NJ State Department of Education. She is mother to Vincent and Caroline.
Tyrone A. Bryan
Before joining LLTeach Inc., Tyrone A. Bryan worked in the Teaneck schools as a classroom teacher, mentor and professional developer for new teachers. His work is featured in Literacy for Children in the Information Age, by Vicki Cohen and John Cohen, as an example of best practices in teaching literacy and math. After earning a bachelor’s degree from Teacher’s College, Columbia University and a master’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Tyrone is currently enrolled in the New Jersey Excel certification program for Supervisors, Principals and Superintendents. Addressing children’s special and emotional needs is one of Tyrone’s professional goals, and a focus on family is his main personal objective.
Jim Carr
Jim spent 33 years in Elizabeth as a middle school and high school teacher of mathematics and K to 12 supervisor of mathematics. Additionally he was an adjunct professor of mathematics at Kean University for 18 years. Jim has consulted with a variety of urban districts, helping implement standards-based programs.
Lori Christy
Lori Christy received her BA degree in Mathematics from Glassboro State College (Rowan University). For more than 12 years, she has enjoyed serving diverse populations in numerous educational settings. She has instructed at the middle school, high school and college levels throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Her primary focus has been on both educating and counseling "at-risk" populations. In her free time, Lori enjoys swimming and playing the piano.
Beth Cocuzza
Beth Cocuzza is a math education consultant with 12 years of experience in the field. Ms. Cocuzza holds a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Wittenberg University and a Master's Degree in Mathematics Education from Teacher's College. She has teaching experience at the middle school and high school levels and supervisory experience in grades K-8. Ms. Cocuzza has also worked in the educational publishing industry, with a focus on linking state assessments, standards, and curriculum. She currently lives in Basking Ridge, NJ, with her husband and two children.
Eileen Corbran
Eileen Corbran joins LLTeach with over 26 years of full time teaching in the New Jersey public schools and additional years of part-time instruction in the field of adult education. Eileen holds a MeD in Education with a Computer concentration and a MA in Supervision and Administration of Urban Schools. She has delivered math instruction at every level from grades 2 through 8, has served as school technology coordinator, teacher/coordinator of a district-wide intermediate gifted program and interim administrator, and has mentored several student teachers and alternate route candidates. Eileen currently serves as a Mathematics Coach in the Lakewood School District.
Patricia Cox
Patricia Cox received her B.A. in Sociology from Rutgers University and holds a Masters in Teaching from Marygrove College. She has taught Grades 3 through 8 in a variety of educational settings in several states with 17 years of classroom experience. She describes her past five years as a mathematics coach as “The most fun and best teaching experience I’ve ever had. To see the enthusiasm of the kids doing the program is pure joy.”
Betti Cuomo
Betti Cuomo is an experienced teacher who has taught mathematics at all elementary grade levels, most recently as a sixth grade mathematics teacher in Jersey City. She holds a master’s degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in mathematics and has 18 years of teaching experience. She believes that children learn best when they are actively engaged and when they have a high sense of self-esteem. Betti has presented workshops at the Association of Mathematics Teachers of New Jersey Regional Conferences, the orientation for newly hired Jersey City Teachers, in-service training of math teachers in the Jersey City School District and St. Peter’s College Graduate and Undergraduate Departments of Elementary Education. She also volunteers at both the Seeing Eye in Morristown and the Englewood Hospital and Medical Center.
Jane Dalton
Jane brings 30 years of classroom experience to her job as an LLTeach Coach. She has taught grades K, 1, 2,3, 7, and 8 at P. S # 17 in Jersey City, where she was named Teacher of the Year in 2000. She received a BA in Early Childhood Education from NJCU in 1974 and an MA in Early Childhood Education in 1980. Jane has supervised many student teachers, and mentored new teachers throughout her career. She has presented workshops on various topics, and served on committees to develop and write curriculum. Jane enjoys working with teachers and helping them make children seek and reach their potential.
Sara Dalton
Sara Dalton is a fifth and sixth Grade Mathematics Coach. Her background includes over 15 years of providing training and professional development to K-12 teachers, students and administrators related to integrating technology across the curriculum as well as data-driven decision making. Sara, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, believes all students can successfully learn and apply mathematics when taught the LLTeach way!
Robert J. Eckert
Robert J. Eckert has over 30 years experience as a teacher, supervisor, principal and CSA in various New Jersey school districts. Among his accomplishments are successfully building and renovating six schools to enhance learning while infusing technology and inquiry-based instruction and raising student achievement over 40% in the New Jersey assessment testing while working in an urban district. Bob holds a master of arts for teaching and a bachelor of arts in mathematics from Jersey City State College. He has also served on numerous New Jersey Department of Education committees.
Seton Harney
Seton Harney has been teaching for 21 years. She earned her B.S. Degree in Elementary Education from St. Bonaventure University, and her M.A. Degree in Mathematics Education from NJCU. Her experience includes teaching on many levels in both Catholic and Public Schools in Jersey City. Her most recent experience was teaching middle school math. Following this, she worked as a School Technology Coordinator where she had the opportunity to work with both students and staff members, training them in the effective use of computers in the classroom. She holds certifications in both Elementary Education and Mathematics. She is mother to John, Ryan and Kerri.
Rita Healy
Rita Healy is a veteran middle school math teacher and school technology coordinator who has presented workshops for the Jersey City Public Schools. She has worked extensively in the areas of mathematics and technology to assist teachers in their quest to help all children learn. A former Teacher of the Year with a master’s degree in Education, she has more than 25 years of teaching experience. In addition to her professional experience, her volunteer work includes her role as a Recreation Commissioner for her local community where she works alongside the Easter Bunny, magicians and balloon artists.
Susan Hinkle
Susan Hinkle joined LLTeach in 2003 after spending 25 years teaching middle school mathematics in California, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. In her role as workshop presenter and coach, she has had the privilege of working with fourth, fifth, and sixth grade teachers in the Asbury Park, Lakewood and Jersey City school districts.After receiving her B.S. in Education from Bloomsburg University, Susan pursued her post-graduate training at Georgian Court College, Ohio State University, and Rutgers University. She works seasonally as a scorer for Educational Testing Services and as a CAPA team member for the Department of Education.
Erin Johansen
Erin Johansen taught 8th grade mathematics in Monmouth County, NJ before beginning her work with LLTeach. She saw the opportunity to become a coach as an adventure to experience education outside of her own classroom setting. She has taught a range of levels from in-class support to honors Algebra I. Erin has a B.A. in Mathematics and Elementary Education from Georgian Court College. She also has an M.A. in Educational Leadership from New Jersey City University where she earned certifications in Administration and Supervision. She is currently working in grades 6 through 8 in Camden City.
Robert Jolley
Robert Jolley has served the public schools in New Jersey for 37 years. During his tenure he has been a classroom teacher, a department chairperson, a principal, a curriculum coordinator, and a mathematics supervisor. He holds a B.A. in Education and an M.A. in Administration from Glassboro State College. Since 2003 Mr. Jolley has worked for LLTeach as a mathematics coach and workshop presenter throughout the state.
Dennis Jones
Dennis Jones joins the LL Teach team after completing over thirty-three years in public education. During that period of time, he has been a fifth, sixth, and seventh grade teacher, a middle school principal, an elementary school principal, and twice an interim superintendent of schools. Half of his tenure, in the field of education, was spent in the classroom as a mathematics teacher. In 2005, he was awarded the National Distinguished Principal of the Year Award and in 2006 he was presented the local Kiwanis Educator of the Year Award. In 2006, Nova Southeastern University and the National Association of Elementary School Principals honored his work in education by selecting him to receive a National Scholarship Fellow to Nova Southeastern University. They cited his outstanding dedication and commitment to Leading Learning Communities as their reason for his selection. Entering the classroom as an LL Teach coach, Dennis attempts to achieve what Dr. Stanley Gudder has stated. That is, “the essence of mathematics is not to make simple things complicated, but to make complicated things simple”.
Peggy Kelly
Peggy Kelly holds a Bachelors Degree in Education from St. Joseph's College, a Masters Degree in Special Education from Teachers' College, Columbia University, an MBA from New York Institute of Technology and a Professional Diploma in Educational Administration from Long Island University. Peggy joined LLTeach Inc. in 2007 after 30 years as a teacher and administrator in New York City schools and an additional four years as a Math Consultant at the middle school level. In her position as a Math Coach in Jersey City, she provides professional development through demonstration lessons and workshops using hands-on, discovery-based math lessons to teachers of grades 7 and 8. Throughout her career as an educator, she has demonstrated a commitment to providing students with quality standards-based instruction.
Harry Kerr
During his sixteen years in the classroom, Harry Kerr has delivered math instruction at every level from grades 1 through 8. In his current role he serves as a Mathematics Coach in Jersey City, NJ, co-teaching with classroom teachers in grades 5 and 6. Additionally, Harry provides workshops demonstrating hands-on, discovery-based math lessons for New Jersey Math Content Standards from grades 5 through 8.
Carol Kissel
Carol Kissel has been a teacher for 36 years. She graduated from Jersey City State College and received a Master’s Degree from NOVA University. She has taught elementary students from kindergarten to grade six in New Jersey and Florida. She presently is a Math Coach for LLTeach, working with teachers and students in Jersey City.
Maureen McNulty
Maureen McNulty joined the LLTeach Team as a third grade coach in the fall of 2003. She has a degree in Mathematics from Fordham University, New York and has trained in computers and computer programming at Stevens Institute of Technology and St. Peter’s College in New Jersey. She enjoyed a career of 34 years in the Elizabeth Public School system as an instructor of Mathematics, Algebra I and Algebra II. During 2002, she served as a learning consultant for the New Brunswick Public School system and she presented Mathematics training to public school teachers in New Jersey. Over the years, Maureen has tutored students in Mathematics and has taught Pre-Calculus in the summer gifted program at Montclair State University.
Peter Nicholson
Peter Nicholson is a math educator with 40 years teaching and supervisory experience in Australia and the United States. He holds degrees from the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, Sydney University and a masters degree from SUNY – Albany. Peter has lived in the United States for 30 years. Most recently Peter was the K-12 math supervisor with Paramus Public Schools. Peter has extensive knowledge of K-12 math teaching, math curriculum, the role of a math coach, and successful innovative math instruction.
Anne O'Brien
Teaching and coaching have been lifelong activities of Anne O’Brien. During a 30 year career in Jersey City she taught kindergarten and grades 5, 6 and 7, giving her a wide range of experience that deepened her commitment to quality education at every level. In addition to teaching she coached high school soccer and basketball. A past Coach of the Year with a Master’s degree in Education, her position at LLTeach enables her to combine both her avocation and vocation by coaching athletically and mathematically.
Howard Ogull
Howard Ogull received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Queens College and a Masters in Science in Guidance and Counseling from C.W. Post University. He held a variety of positions during a 32-year career in the New York City school system. He was a Teacher of the gifted and talented in a magnet school for 12 years and taught in two “Chancellor's Schools” (both of which became successful and were removed from the failing Schools Under Registration Review list). He was also a Math Staff Developer in a K-8 school in his final three years with the district. Howard has been a Math Coach with LLTeach Inc. for seven years and firmly believes in making learning fun and having small successes lead to larger achievements.
Richard Smutek
Richard Smutek has been involved in urban education in New Jersey for over 33 years. He has served in numerous positions from teacher, principal, director to assistant superintendent. He has BA and MA degrees from New Jersey City University and holds administrative certificates in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida. Additionally, he has served on district CAPA teams to assist schools in enhancing their delivery of instruction. This experience at all levels of education has given him a unique understanding of the urban learner. Richard also holds a private pilot’s license.
Susan Streppone
A graduate of the University of South Florida, Susan Streppone holds a degree in Elementary Education with specialization in Primary Education (Kindergarten through Grade 3). She has 13 years experience as a teacher in Florida, California and New Jersey. In addition, she supervised and modeled lessons for several elementary schools in Japan as part of an exchange program and was an Expert Teacher for Classroom Connects Internet Quest Program where she consulted with hundreds of teachers around the country. Suzi has been an LLTeach math coach and workshop presenter for the past five years.
Jill Tuazon
Jill Tuazon holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Elementary Education from Rutgers College. She is certified and highly qualified in all subjects K-8, in addition to holding her certificate as Teacher of Middle School Mathematics. She has spent 13 years as a middle school teacher, having taught math on the 7th and 8th grade levels, as well as 8th grade geography. Jill has always wanted to be a teacher and bring her love of learning to the classroom. Math is her favorite subject, and she enjoys teaching the innovative LLTeach methods to the Jersey City 7th and 8th grade students.
Jael Ulysse
Jael Ulysse, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Science from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and a Masters in Education and Administration from Grand Canyon University, has taught in both public and private schools and has also worked as an engineer. In addition, she has tutored students in math, science and SAT preparation and has worked as a NASA mentor in a summer program for high school students interested in math and science fields.
Giselle Williams
Giselle Williams is a third and fourth grade coach with LL Teach. She holds a MA Ed. In Elementary Education from Brooklyn College and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Education from the University of Phoenix. Prior to joining the LL Teach team, she taught in New York City public schools for eight years. In those years she taught first grade, fourth grade, and assisted in various other capacities. Additionally, Giselle was also a lead instructor with Platform Learning in New York City, an after-school program geared towards helping children to succeed academically. Giselle is originally from Brooklyn and now currently resides in Central New Jersey with her family.
Erin Zmuda
Erin Zmuda has been teaching for over 15 years and believes that, as an LLTeach Math Coach, she has the best of both worlds because she gets to work with both students and teachers on a daily basis. Erin has given numerous workshops in the area of mathematics. Through workshops, team teaching, and demonstration lessons she explores different avenues of learning to keep the classroom environment exciting and new. Erin has a B.A. in Humanities from William Paterson University and a B.S. in Elementary Education from Southeast Missouri State University. She is currently working toward a graduate degree in Mathematics Education.
Success Stories
Overview of Selected Activities & Effects Through The 2007-2008 School Year
Read about our successful efforts in the Camden, NJ school district.
Jersey City School District Named 2006 Finalist for $1 Million Broad Prize.
Read the official press release
The Jersey City, New Jersey Public School District has been named as a finalist for the 2006 Broad Prize for Urban Education. The District’s leaders are to be commended, not only for developing a vision of quality education, but also for having the fortitude and perseverance they have shown in pursuing that vision and making it come to pass against the great odds that urban educators face.
Our company has been privileged to be directly involved with mathematics instruction in the Jersey City schools since 2001 when the principal of PS#17—Joseph A. Bresenger Elementary, one of the lowest performing schools in the district, invited us to help her and the teachers in that building improve student achievement in mathematics. In part because of the success of that program, we were awarded a contract to provide a program designed to “change the culture of teaching mathematics” in the district.
While we are confident that our program, Communicator Mathematics™, the board-adopted core mathematics program for grades 3 through 6 and its related special education component, the Content Series, are appropriate to address the educational needs of the Jersey City students, we also know that the LLTeach Inc. cadre of experienced and highly trained teachers who serve as mathematics coaches in the district is also a key factor in the program’s success.
No entity could be more pleased than we are that the results of the New Jersey statewide tests have shown dramatic improvement in students’ mathematics skills and knowledge, and we are especially gratified that African American, bilingual and special education students in particular have shown significant improvement in mathematics performance.