Jo Gusman is an accomplished educator and leader in bilingual and multilingual education. Starting her career in 1974 as a bilingual instructional assistant, Jo became a trailblazing teacher and advocate for emerging bilingual students. She developed innovative teaching approaches, such as her Brain-Based ESL Strategies™, while working at the nationally recognized Newcomer School. Over the years, Jo has received numerous accolades, including recognition from the National Hispanic School Board Association and the U.S. Department of Education, and has served as a presidential advisor on education and literacy.

Jo is also a prolific author and creator of the Foundation-Frameworks-Tools School Improvement Model©. She has written several influential books, including The Science of Reading and Your Multilingual Learners, and co-authored the content-area program ACCESS: Building Literacy Through Learning. Her work emphasizes the Science of Reading, cultural responsiveness, and strategies to accelerate the academic success of multilingual learners. Additionally, she has developed numerous professional development programs and courses to support educators in enhancing literacy and language learning for diverse students.

In addition to her academic contributions, Jo founded New Horizons In Education-EduTrainers, where she continues to provide coaching, program reviews, and seminars worldwide. Her dedication to promoting equitable and effective education for multilingual learners is rooted in her personal experiences growing up in a non-English speaking, farm working family. Jo’s work is characterized by her commitment to practical, evidence-based strategies that empower educators, students, and families to succeed regardless of background or circumstances.