Meet the Team
World Language Educators and Trainers
Avant MORE Learning was established as a division of Avant Assessment in 2019. We work with a variety of programs centered around proficiency and achieving higher learning outcomes.
Our virtual and in-person training and learning opportunities can be customized through surveys, workshops, and online products. We provide timely training on best practices in world language, dual language immersion, heritage, and bilingual education settings to assist our partners with utilizing their data to best meet program needs and goals.
Our mission is to build shared learning communities through proficiency-driven practice.
DAWN SAMPLES
Director for Professional Learning
Dawn joined Avant in 2019 following 15 years as the Coordinator for World Languages and Immersion for Lexington School District One in Lexington, South Carolina, where she created a completely performance-based and proficiency-driven program. In 2017, she was recognized as the Supervisor of the Year for the National Association of District Supervisors. At Avant, Dawn works with professionals in the field supporting language learning programs, instructional practices and assessments as the Director for MORE Professional Learning. Her goal is to provide high-quality professional learning opportunities for educators that will increase proficiency for language learners. Outside of work, Dawn enjoys spending time with her family listening to music, speaking French, running, hiking, exploring new adventures and learning about other people, their experiences and cultures.
AMANDA MINNILLO
Avant MORE Learning Specialist
Amanda believes that empowered teachers empower students and that every child deserves a school where they feel welcome and appreciated. She believes that language learning and instruction provide the foundations for such schools. A former high school French teacher, Amanda most recently served as the World Language and Dual Language Immersion Teacher Support Specialist for Lexington County School District One in South Carolina. In this performance-based district, Amanda supported teachers through curriculum writing, individual coaching cycles, and whole-group professional learning. She has served as the Awards Director for the Southern Conference on Language Teaching, an advocate for the Leadership Initiative for Language Learning, and is on the executive board for the South Carolina Foreign Language Teachers’ Association for which she was president and editor of the Crescent blog. Considering herself a language fun-doer, Amanda presents at local, state, regional, and national conferences with a heart for topics involving inclusion, cultivating and powering up proficiency in the modes of communication and engagement through fun communicative activities presented in a learn-by-doing fashion. At Avant, Amanda works with professionals in the field to support language learning programs and instructional practices through Avant More Learning. In her free time, Amanda enjoys gardening, hiking, traveling to experience new cultures, and always aspires to learn something new.
GREGG ROBERTS
Dual Language Innovation Coordinator
MEDLI Team Member
Gregg serves as the Director of Dual Language Studies for American Councils of International Education in Washington, DC. He was the World Language & Dual Language Immersion Specialist for the Utah State Board of Education. Gregg’s work with the Utah Legislature and Governor’s office led to groundbreaking changes in the way world languages are viewed and funded within the state’s K-12 schools. The K-12 program he designed with his team is being used as a model of innovative world-language education nationally and internationally. In
the process, he directed the development of K-12 immersion curricula, the establishment of
proficiency targets for all grade levels and DLI languages, a comprehensive assessment program
comprised of internal and external assessments, and a job-embedded professional development
program and support system in those languages. He was also instrumental in the implementation
of international teacher recruitment as well as alternative certification and professional
development programs that are serving as models for other states.
Gregg has taught at both the secondary and university levels. He also served as a school district and state education administrator. In addition, he has been a member of K-12 school accreditation teams and has overseen DLI program evaluations. Gregg was named the 2009 National Council of State Supervisors of Foreign Language State Supervisor of the Year, the 2015 ACTFL Leo Benardo Award for Innovation in K-12 Language Education, and he is a recipient of the Palms Académiques from the French Government.
BRANDEE MAU
Director of STAMP WS Rating & DLI Specialist
MEDLI Team Member
Brandee joined Avant after eight years as a German and Russian Dual Language Immersion director in Utah and 16 years as a Wyoming high school German teacher and district curriculum facilitator. During this time, she developed curriculum and coached language teachers of all grades, contributed to multiple state standards revisions, served on state and national language association boards and committees, and worked to align proficiency and course expectations. Additionally, as part of the College Board committee, she created and developed the new AP German Language and Culture exam. She was also a Wyoming Department of Education Teacher of the Year finalist and an ACTFL National Teacher of the Year finalist.
At Avant, she works with diverse languages to create and establish STAMP WS assessments, ensuring inter-rater reliability, as the German Rater Manager, and with the Avant MORE Learning team as a Dual Language Immersion Specialist. Her research interests focus on effective language learning, assessments, and fostering potential in our profession and our language students. After hours, Brandee loves spending time with family and friends, reading, planning and enjoying new adventures, and working in her flower beds.
Updated June 2023