International TEFL Academy Instructor

What classes do you teach at International TEFL Academy?

I teach the Online TEFL Certification Course and have been with ITA since May, 2020.

What is your educational background?

TEFL Certificate in 2007
MA English - TEFL/TESL from Colorado State University, 2012

Where have you taught?

I’ve spent time in Chile working for the Ministry of Education. I started with the English Opens Doors program in 2008. While there I also taught English for Specific Purposes to the hospital staff of my local community, the Department of Forestry, and a GED program for students living on the border towns of Chile and Argentina. I returned to the US to get my MA and began working for the Intensive English Program at the university. I taught for them for 6 years, teaching graduate study skills and writing courses, and skill-specific courses to students interested in bettering their English for university study.

What countries have you visited?

Mine is not nearly as long as I would like it to be: Canada, Mexico, The Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Malta, Chile, and Argentina.

What is your favorite travel memory?

This memory isn’t specific to a single place, but there is something so invigorating about that first full breath you take after you’ve grabbed your backpack from under the bus, or off the overhead rack of the train, or at baggage claim and step forward with it on ready to explore. The first breath smells and tastes new, exciting and always - always different. I love taking that breath and squaring my shoulders and heading off to find a new adventure.

What advice do you have for ITA students who want to teach English abroad?

Do your research on where you are going but leave it all behind and drop the expectations. Welcome the unexpected, because it will invariably happen. Plans will change, situations will be different and sometimes it will be harder than you thought, but that’s okay. You will change and grow as you navigate it all.