Instructor Profile 3: Donna Luna

Donna Luna has a BA in English from Atlantic Union College and an MA in Teaching English as a Second Language from St. Michael's College. She spent two years teaching English in Japan and four years directing the English degree program at the university level in the Dominican Republic.

Following her work abroad, she returned to the States and taught for ESL for five years at Atlantic Union College in South Lancaster, Massachusetts. Currently she is teaching ESL at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Donna lives in New Hampshire with her husband, Jose and their three children.

Donna will be teaching Reading and Writing for TESOL and TESOL Classroom Topics: Cultural Issues.

TESOL Practicum Site

One of the things we are doing for the TESOL Certificate is to give our teacher-learners the opportunity to practice the things they are learning in the classroom... in the classroom!

Beginning in mid-May, we will be teaching and observing twice a week at St. Peter's ESL Program in Worcester. This is a community-based, adult ESL program operated by the Assumption Center in Worcester. St. Peter's is staffed by some very nice, retired second language teachers who donate their time to the local community. Sister Catherine (seen below) runs the program and will be studying with us at Assumption as well.

Through this practicum, we will begin a teacher development group that will have Tuesday lunches to reflect and share on our teaching experiences with our colleagues. Here are a few photos of St. Peter's. It is a great program!

Instructor Profile 2: Gabriella Ivic

Gabriella Ivic is originally from Hungary. She has been living in the U.S. for many years and is a proud U.S. citizen. She has a Master’s in TESL and English Language and Literature. She has been teaching ESL in the U.S. for twelve years.

Currently, Gabriella adjuncts at Assumption College, Quinsigamond Community College, and Clark University. Teaching English is her passion. She is a linguist who studied Russian and Italian as well. She is married and enjoys traveling with her husband.

Gabriella will be teaching Listening and Speaking for TESOL.

Instructor Profile 1: Edward Rivera

Edward Rivera, or "Andy", as he is known by family and friends, is a family man, guitarist, and language aficionado. He lives in the small rural farming community of North Orange, Massachusetts and loves to camp, drive his truck, and garden with his wife and children. Andy has traveled to more than 20 countries, speaks 6 languages, and holds an undergraduate degree in Romance Languages and a Master's in TESOL/Foreign Language Education.

Andy is in search of a farm where he can merge his two great interests, agriculture and language teaching. He has been teaching languages since 1993, most recently as the Director of the English Language Institute at Atlantic Union College in South Lancaster, Massachusetts. Currently, he adjuncts at Assumption College and Quinsigamond Community College, and freelances as an independent TESOL tutor, teacher, and consultant. His website is earforlanguage.com

Andy will be teaching two courses (TESOL: Language and Theory and Assessment, Design, and Management in TESOL) and directing the TESOL Practicum at St. Peter's ESL Program in Worcester.

Testa 155 and Testa 255

We have our classroom assignments. We will be meeting in one of the nicest spots on campus, in a new, state of the art building. Below are some photos of the building, our classrooms, and parking areas. Not long now!

The Richard and Janet Testa Science Center

4 More Weeks...

Spring is in the air, and we are getting ready to roll with our new TESOL Certificate at Assumption College.

The program has been designed, classes have been created, texts have been selected, instructors have been secured, and all we are waiting for now are our teacher learners from Assumption Language Center in the Philippines!

After 10 weeks of planning and organizing, we stand only 4 weeks away from the start of it all. What a learning experience is in store!