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Program Options

BELLA is designed as a coherent professional learning system, where each component reinforces classroom implementation.

BELLA focuses on the core practices that strengthen literacy instruction and support students in developing language and reading skills.

Key Learning Areas

Teachers learn how to:

  • Teach foundational skills: phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, and vocabulary
  • Support comprehension and language before, during, and after reading
  • Strengthen speaking and writing through structured language support
  • Align instruction across settings using students’ strengths

Flexible Implementation

BELLA offers flexible implementation options to meet the needs of schools and districts, while maintaining a consistent, research-based approach to literacy instruction.

Core Components

Learning Modules

Teachers engage in 8 focused online modules (approximately 45 minutes each) that introduce practical, evidence-based literacy strategies.

Application Modules

In 8 structured sessions, teachers and specialists work together to apply strategies to their own curriculum, plan instruction, and align practices across settings.

In-Person Workshops

Optional workshops provide hands-on learning and opportunities for deeper engagement with key instructional practices.
 

Ongoing Coaching

Ongoing coaching supports school teams in strengthening collaboration, refining instruction, and sustaining aligned practices over time.

Flexible Delivery Options

BELLA can be implemented in ways that fit your district’s needs, including:

Fully virtual

Blended (online + in-person)

In-person professional learning

*The BELLA learning modules were developed by FigStar Learning and are implemented in partnership with BELLA Learning to support district and school success.

Ready to Make the Change?

Bring BELLA to Your District

Turning literacy priorities into classroom practice.

BELLA Learning is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing teaching and learning through evidence-based professional learning for educators.

BELLA Learning

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Carrie Ruddy

Chief Communications and Marketing Officer at Trane Technologies, with deep expertise in brand strategy, communications, and stakeholder engagement.

Virginia R. Amendum

Nonprofit executive and early childhood leader with extensive experience scaling organizations, securing funding, and building high-quality programs for children and families.

Susan Greene

Entrepreneur, strategist, and Professor of the Practice at UNC Chapel Hill with expertise in innovation, leadership, and organizational strategy across sectors.

Beth Hoos

Education and wellness advocate focused on supporting multilingual learners and strengthening community partnerships to serve children and families.
 

James T. Amendum

Former Assistant Superintendent and longtime educational leader with experience spanning classroom teaching, school leadership, and district administration.

Dr. Steve Amendum

Dr. Amendum is a Professor at the University of Delaware and a nationally recognized scholar in early literacy and multilingual learner instruction. He has led large-scale randomized controlled trials evaluating BELLA and brings deep expertise in evidence-based practices and instructional improvement.

Dr. Leslie Babinski

Dr. Babinski is a Research Professor at Duke University and a leading expert in K–2 literacy instruction and teacher professional learning. She has led multiple federally funded research studies and played a central role in the development of the BELLA model. Her work focuses on bridging research and practice to strengthen instruction and improve outcomes for diverse learners.