Diana Vélez is a professional development specialist and curriculum developer at the Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California in Berkeley. She currently works with FOSS (Full Option Science System), BaySci, and other science education projects in the area of English Language Development, the integration of literacy, teacher leadership, and classroom and district-wide implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards. Ms. Vélez began her career in education teaching first grade bilingual in the Oakland Unified School District. During her time in Oakland, she also served as an instructional leader at the site and district-level, helping to create and sustain a successful dual language immersion program, and leading the development of a science-centered elementary school.