Arlene Costello

Dynamic education leader with extensive experience in education, specializing in program evaluation and curriculum development. Proven track record in grant management and stakeholder engagement, enhancing student achievement through innovative language acquisition strategies. Exceptional communication and project management skills drive impactful educational initiatives.

Florida Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education, English for Speakers of Other Languages, Gifted Education

• 2022 Sunshine State Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Florida Presidential Award for Leadership and Service
• 2007 National Christa McAuliffe Educator Award (The only foreign-born recipient of this prestigious award). One of five: 1997 National Christa McAuliffe Award
• 2007 Teacher of the Year for the Program for Academically Talented Students (P.A.T.S.) Center, The School District of Escambia County, Pensacola, Fl; Recipient of Governor’s Leadership Grant for Gifted ($25,000)
• 2007 Judge John Kuder Family Values Award, Pensacola, Florida
• 1992 Finalist for Florida Gifted Teacher of the Year; 1989 Escambia County Schools Outstanding ESOL Teacher
• Certificate of Achievement: Who’s Who Worldwide; Who’s Who of the Gulf Coast Outstanding Service to the Filipino-American Community
• Keynote Speaker: Filipino-American Teacher of Washington 25th Anniversary, Seattle Washington; Asian Pacific Islander Month Celebration, U.S. Navy Military Command, NAS Pensacola,
• 2004 and 2018. Speaker, Escambia Democratic Women’s Club, 2018 & 2019

· Chair, Conferences Professional Council,TESOL International Council, 2020, 2021, 2022

· President, Sunshine State TESOL of Florida, 2019-2021

· Conference Chair/VP, SSTESOL, 2019. Coordinated and hosted a successful 2019 SETESOL Conference. Other positions held in SSTESOL: Program Chair, Secretary and Member at Large.

· Member, Diverse Voices Task Force, TESOL International

· Member: Florida Department of Education Student Achievement Through Language Acquisition Advisory Council

· Training for Trainers, Florida; Member: Florida Department of Education WIDA Adoption and Implementation Committee.

· Coordinator and Host: Florida Regional WIDA Differentiation, November 2016; District WIDA Trainer

· Member: Florida Commissioner of Education Task Force on Inclusion and Accountability 2013. This Task Force ensured Els’ inclusion in the state’s ESSA Plans.

• National Conference and Work Groups Panel Member: CCSSO Development of ELL Definition Task Force, Washington D.C. 2013; Readers for Grant Proposals, Office of Research and Improvement, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C.
• Reviewer and grant panel member, U.S. Department of Education Innovation and Grants.
• Member: ESOL Teacher Performance Standards Committee, Student Achievement Through Language Acquisition Bureau, Florida Department of Education, 2010
• Member: Unit Accreditation Board (UAB) of the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
• Chairperson: Audit Committee, Unit Accreditation Board (UAB), National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). 2005-2012
• Member: Florida Teacher of Year Selection Committee
• Local, State, and National Speaker, Presenter and Facilitator

o Minority Leadership Trainer – Des Moines, Iowa, Las Vegas, NV., New Orleans, LA, Baltimore, MD, Florida,