Ashley B. Martins, lead consultant and founder of Bridging Borders Educational Services, holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in Political Science and History from the University of Vermont and a Masters of Education degree in Curriculum & Instruction. She has worked in the field of Multilingual Learner Education and Advocacy since 2008 when she began her career as an English tutor for Italian children during her time living abroad in Rome, Italy. In 2009 she supported Afghan immigrant children and their acclimation in US schools during her time with the Embassy of Afghanistan in Washington, DC. From 2010-2019 Ashley taught English as a Second Language K-12. During this time she also established an ESOL program for high school foreign exchange students and facilitated multiple SEI Endorsement courses as part of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s RETELL initiative. In 2019 she transitioned into the role of Director of English Language Education for a mid-incidence public school district in Massachusetts. As ELE Director she founded the district’s first ever English Learner Parent Advisory Council, created an Early Childhood ESL program, coached a dynamic group of educators, and integrated Next Generation ESL Curriculum tools and resources across multiple grade levels. In addition to consulting, Ashley is currently a Director at the International Language Institute in Northampton, Massachusetts.