Rob McBride
Project Manager, Administration/ Evaluation/ Communications
M. Ed. Distance Education, Honour’s Bachelor of Journalism
Rob has worked as a teacher, researcher, writer and producer, principally in the settlement language training and adult literacy basic skills sectors. Rob works on projects where building basic knowledge and skills has the maximum positive impact on the work and personal lives of learners. Rob began teaching ESL in Ontario back when “Welcome to Canadian English” (Carson- Martin) was just about the only Canadian textbook available. He has worked on many technology-based learning projects including “Fast Forward” (a 2007 report with recommendations for CIC on the development of online language & settlement training), “Explore Canada” (a CD-ROM history & geography of Canada in easy English & French), and multiple ESL broadcast and video projects.
Jim Edgar
Project Manager, Distributed Learning/ Training
Master of Education Technology, CTESL, BA, Grad. Cert. Online Education, Dip Adult Education
Jim has been training and supporting teachers in the use of technology since the mid-1990s. He has been an educator in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, the United Arab Emirates and Ottawa, where he currently lives. From kamotiks to camels, extreme cold to extreme heat, and pen and paper to interactive whiteboards, Jim has taught in face-to-face, blended and online environments. He has designed, developed, and led curriculum projects in ESL, EAP, ESP and ELT in tertiary education and in settlement language training. Jim draws upon these experiences to help teachers implement learning technologies into their course delivery.
Kevin O’Brien
Web Manager/ Training & Development Specialist
B.Ed. OCT., Dip. Adult Education, TESL Part I
Kevin has been an active elementary, secondary and adult educator for over 40 years. At one time or another, he has taught Adult Literacy and ESL (including LINC). He has had a variety of positions including classroom teacher, curriculum courseware developer, teacher trainer and project coordinator. He also holds the following Ontario Ministry of Education additional qualifications: TESL, Computers in the Classroom, Special Education, and Science in the classroom. Kevin has worked with technology since the early 80’s and has written educational software as well as training teachers to use technology in their classrooms. He has presented multiple times at TESL Ontario and other affiliates and LINC PD days.
Matthias Sturm
Lead Evaluator / Researcher / Writer
B. A., M.A. (Maîtrise en formation à distance)
Hamilton, Ontario
Matthias works toward a PhD in the Languages, Cultures, and Literacies program at Simon Fraser University. For many years, he has supported service providers in adult basic education in their efforts to build program capacity through the use of digital technology. Matthias has much experience with learning and teaching in blended learning environments, and he has worked as a researcher, writer, and evaluator on a number of technology-based literacy and language learning projects.
Nancy Van Dorp
Senior Trainer / Online Mentor/ Developer
M.Ed. (Distance Education), B.A. (English), B.Ed. (Adult Education), CTDP, OCELT, PTCT Instructor
Milton, Ontario
Nancy is a Canadian educator who is a Senior Trainer, Developer and Online Mentor on the project. She has also taught culture and technology courses at Sheridan College for more than 10 years. Nancy has worked in various capacities in a business environment and has been a LINC Home Study instructor and an SLT instructor for ESL in the Workplace. She is enchanted by EdTech possibilities for learning and is passionate about academic integrity.
Sepideh Alavi
Content Developer/ Trainer / Online Mentor
Ottawa, Ontario
BA, MA, PhD of Teaching English as a Foreign Language, OCELT, TESL Ontario Accredited Trainer/PTCT Instructor, Certified CLB English Language Assessor
Sepideh has been an ESL/EFL instructor and university lecturer since 1992. She has taught in a variety of contexts ranging form private schools to colleges and universities in Iran and Canada. She has extensive experience with adult language education and is passionate about using technology to enhance language learning.
John Allan
Trainer/ Online Mentor/ Developer
St. Catharine’s, Ontario
John has been working with education technology and language education since 1990. He has been a part of the LearnIT2teach team in a variety of capacities as required.
LinkedIn profile https://ca.linkedin.com/in/
Jen Artan
Online Mentor / Content Developer
Jen Artan is a Continuing Education Instructor/Lead with the Thames Valley District School Board, and Materials Developer with LearnIT2Teach. A certified Google Educator (Level 2), TESL Ontario Webinar Manager and Video Editor, TESL London Communications Chair, and a recent Masters of Education graduate from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. Jen likes to keep current on educational technology for adult learners.
Marjan Bateni
Trainer / Content Developer / Membership Coordinator
Toronto, Ontario
M.A. in Teaching English as a Second Language, Post TESL Certificate in Developing e-Materials for Language Training
Marjan is a Manager of Language & Skills Training with COSTI, a Mentor, Facilitator, Content Developer and Membership Coordinator with NLS, and an ESL Expert with CCLB. Marjan specializes in CLB-based assessment, content development, training, presentation/workshop facilitation, and program management.
Margarita Berezyanskaya
Trainer / Online Mentor
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Margarita has a Master’s degree in Theoretical and Applied Linguistics and is a TESL Canada Professional Certificate Standard Three holder. As the Learner Services Coordinator at English Online Inc., she focuses on growing the unique brand of quality online services for newcomers and oversees the delivery of the LINC Home Study program in Manitoba.
Paul Carter
Trainer / Online Mentor / Content Developer
Salt Spring, British Columbia
BA, CTESL, Moodle Course Creator Certificate, Office Skills and Technology Certificate
Paul has been working in the Settlement Language Training sector for over ten years. He has been working with newcomers to British Columbia since 2006 as an EAL Instructor and Online Resource Developer. Working with Moodle at ISSofBC led Paul to the LearnIT2Teach program and a mentorship with Jim Edgar that has forever changed his life. Working remotely from the Southern Gulf Islands in BC, Paul now has online students and teacher trainees from the Yukon to Manitoba, and he still finds time to write and direct for his Drama Club for Kids and the local Community Theatre Company. That said, closest to his heart are his musical pursuits and spending time with his two beautiful daughters.
Sean Cavicchi, Mentor
B.Ed. and B.A. degrees, OCELT
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Sean is an EAL Instructor with Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia, ISANS. Since getting his feet wet in South Korea, he has been teaching a wide range of learners over 15-plus years for-profit language schools, the public school system and most recently at ISANS. He is currently a mentor for a growing staff of EduLINC users in his home province and is excited by the continued integration of EduLINC online and blended settlement language training in ISANS’ courses!
Kate Elms, Mentor
M. Ed. (TESL)
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Kate has worked in a variety of EAL capacities both abroad and within Canada. She’s taught newcomers in the English in the Workplace Program, Communication for Work and Business, and has extensive experience working in the LINC program. She piloted blended learning at ISANS, then went on to teach fully online, and work as a LIT2Teach mentor, mentoring her ISANS colleagues. She is passionate about what blended learning can offer students and shares that passion in her role as LIT2Teach mentor, training other instructors how to use and leverage the Avenue platform.
Marijke Geurts
Trainer / Online Mentor/ TESL Basics for Language Volunteers Project Lead
Saint John, New Brunswick
M.A. in Education, Language & Literature, ESL certification in New Brunswick.
Marijke is a LINC Instructor and Employment Language Trainer with Newcomer Connections and jumped at the opportunity to incorporate Edulinc in all aspects of her work. She feels it is wonderful to create online activities and share her experience as a Learn IT2Teach Trainer. She enjoys a challenge, which would include her kids, vegetable garden and learning to sew.
Chayan Mallick
Trainer / Online Mentor
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Chayan obtained her M.A. in Applied Linguistics from Bangladesh and the United Kingdom along with CELTA. She is also certified in TESL Ontario, and is a LearnIT2Teach Trainer. Chayan has 15 years of teaching experience in several universities, schools and language schools in home and abroad, she is currently teaching at SaskPolytech as a LINC Instructor. She is passionate about teaching and enjoys her time immensely in class. Outside the classroom, she likes spending time with her family, reading murder mysteries, and watching movies.
Pamela Manson
Trainer / Online Mentor
Ottawa, Ontario
Pamela Manson completed her TESL certification at Algonquin College in Ottawa. Her BMath in Computer Science contributes to her confidence in using blended learning. She has completed the Stage 4 LearnIT2teach training, developing her own Courseware activities. She teaches in the LINC program at Algonquin College, and mentors teachers there and elsewhere as they go through the LearnIT2teach training.
Bonnie Nicholas
Trainer/ Online Mentor
Edmonton, Alberta
M. Ed. in TESL, certificates in blended and online learning, and instructional design.
Bonnie teaches in the LINC program at NorQuest College, where she has taught blended, online, and face-to-face classes. Her interests include continuing professional development, digital citizenship, and integrating language teaching and learning with digital technology. You can learn more about Bonnie on her teaching portfolio.
Vesna Radivojevic
Teacher Mentor
Vancouver, British Columbia
Vesna Radivojevic has been teaching EAL in the Greater Vancouver area for 21 years, mostly in settlement programs. She has been teaching in the LINC program at Vancouver Community College for the last 14 years, and one of her interests is using technology to enhance learning.
Kevin Simpson
Teacher Mentor
Calgary, Alberta
Kevin has a BA in Religious Studies, a diploma in multimedia and a TESL certificate. He is the lead online instructor at Maple Leaf Academy. Kevin continues to develop his courses and supports learners and teachers, who have all increased their skills through online learning.
Robin Peace
Teacher Mentor
Thunder Bay, Ontario
MA TESOL, OCELT, HBA/BEd. French/English
Robin has taught English language learners in a variety of contexts: in non-governmental organizations in Djibouti and Yemen; in a local university and college (EAP); in LINC.
She is currently the PBLA Lead and a CLB 2-4 Instructor in a LINC Program in Thunder Bay, Ontario. She also serves as an online Academic Coach for Trinity Western University’s MA TESOL program.
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Completing Stage 3 or Stage 4 of the LearnIT2Teach teacher training has been recognized by TESL Ontario as a Post TESL Certificate Training Accreditation Course. Upon successful completion of one of the stages, TESL Ontario members are encouraged to apply to the organization for the accreditation. However, if a teacher completed Stage 3 prior to July 2014, she or he is not eligible as the training stage has been modified to meet TESL Ontario PTCT criteria.
