Meet The International TEFL Academy Founders

Here's Where It All Began

Back in 2010, Bruce Jones, Ian Davis, John Bentley, and Karen Grant had several meetings around Bruce's dining room table to discuss their vision to build the best TEFL school in the world.

30,000 students later, and here we are - with numerous awards to our name to prove it!

With hard work and many late nights, this team brought their vision to life and because of them, we continue to change the lives of thousands of people each and every year, and we wouldn't have it any other way!

Read more: ITA's Vision Statement

A Word From Our Founders...

Having made the milestone of 10 years of running ITA and serving over 30,000 people to pursue a dream to teach abroad/online and pursue their dreams, I am incredibly proud of how our dedicated staff and instructors continuously change the lives of so many people every day. Many of us as children had ambitions of doing something grand, exciting important in our lives but often life gets in the way for many people. The ability for us to help make some of those dreams happen to become an English teacher abroad for so many thousands of people is extremely fulfilling and feel so fortunate to be surrounded by an incredibly dedicated team to make this company a success.
- Bruce Jones

Ten years later, the fact that ITA has changed tens of thousands of people's lives by empowering them to teach English abroad simply blows me away. Equally amazing, is the team of staff we've assembled that helps change those lives.
- Ian Davis

It’s extremely rewarding to see how ITA has impacted the lives of thousands of people by enabling them to realize their goals and dreams of seeing the world through teaching English as a foreign language. Back here at the mothership, it has also been exciting to witness how members of our own team have grown and developed as professionals and as people. I just feel humble and lucky to have been on the bus from the very first stop.
- John Bentley

Being part of the founder’s team in 2010 I never really had a clear picture of where ITA would be now. We all took a chance and I can probably speak for all of us in saying that we’re glad we did. We have been on one heck of a roller coaster ride seeing us go through so many changes, mostly good, but some a little painful. I’m extremely proud to be a part of a company where we’ve watched our staff grow and of course helped thousands of people find their way around the world.
- Karen Grant

MEET THE FOUNDERS

Bruce Jones
Company President

A native of Chicago, Bruce Jones quit his job at age 34 and left the US in 2001 on a 2-year, 20-nation adventure around the world. Upon his return in 2003, Bruce was inspired to commit his career to provide others with opportunities to realize their dreams of living abroad & traveling the world through teaching English abroad. In 2010, he founded International TEFL Academy, which has since trained 30,000 people to work & live as English teachers in over 80 countries.

Meet Bruce

Ian Davis
Co-Founder

Since his first trip to Europe as a teen, Ian's passion for travel and adventure has continued to grow. An ITA Founder and longtime Chief Operations Officer, Ian has helped thousands of people live their dream of teaching English abroad. When not conducting important ITA business, Ian can be found enjoying pure Michigan with his wife and two daughters.

Meet Ian

John Bentley
Senior Marketer & Writer

A lifelong traveler who grew up in Cairo, Egypt, John Bentley wrote for the Egypt-Israel Edition of the famous Let’s Go! guidebook series during his student days at Harvard and has worked in the fields of international travel, education, and journalism ever since. Residing in Vancouver, Washington, John enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, and cooking up a feast!

Meet John

Karen Grant
Co-Founder

Since taking her TEFL class in Santiago & teaching in Chile for 2 years, Karen has spent most of the past decade working in the world of TEFL, helping others realize their dream of teaching abroad. A Windy City native and lover of marathons, she recently moved to Michigan with her husband and gorgeous pup, Macy.

Meet Karen

MEET THE
ITA FOUNDERS

Here's Where It All Began

A Word From Our Founders...