Author & Consultant Team


Benchmark Advance and Adelante authors and consultants are pedagogical leaders, instructional innovators, and teaching veterans. Their expertise is grounded in real-world classroom practice.

The programs are supported by comprehensive professional development solutions delivered by highly qualified trainers—experts in comprehensive literacy. Our PD solutions are customizable and delivered in formats tailored to your school's needs.

Jill Kerper Mora, Ed.D.

Associate Professor Emerita from the School of Teacher Education at San Diego State University; award-winning educator, researcher, and published author in the field of biliteracy and equity

Jeff Zwiers, Ed.D.

Senior researcher at Stanford University; co-director of the Academic Language Development Network, focusing on accelerating students’ literacy, language, cognition, and conversation skills


Adria Klein, Ph.D.

Director of a center focused on early literacy intervention at Saint Mary’s College of California; former president, California Reading Association; served on International Literacy Association’s Board of Directors

Wiley Blevins, Ed.M.

Early reading specialist, children’s book author, curriculum developer, and author of many professional books on phonics and word study


Janet Williams, Ed.D.

Literacy and school leadership consultant; administrator coach; and former teacher, principal, and deputy superintendent in large urban district

Allison Briceño, Ed.D.

Assistant Professor of Elementary Education, San José State University – English Learner Leadership Fellow, California Association of Bilingual Educators


Patty McGee, M.Ed.

Professional development specialist, prolific writer, consultant, presenter, and author of professional books on writing

Silvia Dorta-Duque de Reyes, M.A.

2018 NABE Leadership Award winner, member of the Expert Panel – California English Language Development (ELD) Standards, Curriculum Framework and Evaluation Criteria Committee


Peter Afflerbach, Ph.D.

Professor of Reading in the Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership at the University of Maryland

Michael Priestley, M.A.

Professional writer and editor, designer and developer of state and national assessments


René Boyer, Ed.D.

Professor Emeritus of Music Education at the University of Cincinnati; nationally and internationally recognized for multicultural and urban music education

Yanitzia Canetti, Ed.D.

Celebrated author, translator, editor, and curator of award-winning authentic Spanish language books for children


Jorge Cuevas Antillón, M.Ed.

District Adviser for Curriculum and Instruction of Dual Language and English Learners; biliteracy professional developer and curriculum developer; biliteracy and social justice advocate

Sandra Ceja, M.A.

curriculum development, linguistics, and English Language Development; leader of statewide biliteracy teaching initiatives and panels


123 Andrés, Andrés Salguero and Christina Sanabria

Andrés Salguero and
Christina Sanabria
Latin Grammy-winning musical duo; creators of Spanish and English songs for young Spanish Language Learners

Andres pi Andreu, B.A.

Award-winning Spanish language author, curriculum developer, and national world languages consultant