I began my career in the TESOL field over 12 years ago when I took a job as an EFL teacher in SEOUL, South Korea, working with everyone from elementary school students to professionals. After returning to the US, I took a job with ELS Language Centers, which operates an Intensive English Program at centers throughout the US, starting as a classroom teacher in 2012. From there, I was promoted to Academic Director of my local center, and later promoted again to Director of Curriculum Development, where I worked with the ELS Vice President of Academic Affairs to oversee the academic program at all ELS centers across the country.

The TESOL field in general and my company in particular were significantly reshaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, and these downstream effects prompted a shift to Instructional Design, where I look forward to using my skills and experience to help your organization create best-in-class learning solutions. See the next column to learn about my approach to learning design.  

I have developed learning solutions ranging in scale from individualized learning plans to organizational-scale curriculum development and staff training. Here are some highlights from my instructional design experience. 

• Developed and implemented new-hire training programs for administrative and customer-facing faculty.

• Designed and developed courses aligned with industry-wide standards and performance outcomes. Developed and implemented faculty training for new courses. 

• As a workstream leader, assisted in organizational transition to a new learning management system, serving as both SME during product development as well as faculty trainer post-development.

• Conducted needs analyses at local center; subsequently designed, developed, and facilitated professional development learning sessions based on needs analysis findings.