Marie Guirline (Gear-Lynn) Bastien graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and American Literature. She holds two Master of Arts degrees in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and Administration, Leadership, and Technology from New York University.
Marie taught English and English as a New Language in public secondary schools in New York City for fourteen years. She also worked as an English Language Learners Services Administrator for the New York City Department of Education for six years. In this role, she supported English as a New Language, Bilingual Education, and content area teachers in developing students’ advanced literacy skills. She planned and led in-person and virtual professional learning sessions for hundreds of teachers. Teachers learned to use scaffolding strategies and tools to make academic content comprehensible to their students. Moreover, Marie developed model classrooms at a comprehensive high school to support teachers in developing students’ oral communication and literacy skills. During the pandemic, she taught teachers to use technology to create engaging and rigorous lessons. She also collaborated with colleagues to develop a 9th-grade English Language Arts curriculum for English language learners. Additionally, Marie worked as an instructional and leadership coach for EdConnective; she virtually supported teachers and administrators nationwide.