CultureWorks. English as a Second Language.

Ian Gordon, Vice President - Academic and Student Affairs

Ian was born and raised in southern Ontario. He developed his passion for teaching while working as an ESL instructor for both the Multi-Cultural Association and Frontier College during his time spent studying at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. Upon graduating from university, Ian ventured north to the Canadian Arctic. He spent seven of the next eight years working in elementary and secondary schools wherein the majority of students were ESL learners. Over the course of his career, Ian has worked as a classroom teacher, student support teacher, vice-principal, and principal. When Ian is not on campus, he enjoys travelling, playing lacrosse and hockey, coaching minor sports, and staying active through a wide variety of outdoor activities like hiking, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and running.

Qualifications

• M.Ed. (Educational Administration and Curriculum Studies), Lakehead University, 2006
• Principals’ Certification- Parts 1 and 2, Nunavut Department of Education, 2005
• TESOL Professional Certificate, Global TESOL College, 2004
• Post-Bachelor Diploma- Inclusive Schooling, Memorial University, 2004
• B.Ed. (Junior/Intermediate), Lakehead University, 2001
• B.A. (History), Lakehead University, 2000
• 10 years of teaching experience
• CultureWorks since 2009
• Starbucks Order: Tall bold

Liz Johnson, Principal

Liz Johnson was born and raised in Ontario. After graduating from Queen's, she taught ESL in Korea for one year. She taught business English and high school English in Japan for two years. Liz also travelled extensively throughout Asia before moving to New York where she studied and taught ESL for 4 years. She recently completed her masters in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and has been working at CultureWorks since May, 2004. Liz is active in the ESL community in London and volunteers with TESL London. Her interests include travelling, gardening and jewelry design.

Qualifications

• TESL Ontario Certification, 2009
• Honours B.A.(Geography/Sociology): Queen's University, 1995
• MPS TESOL: Manhattanville College, Purchase, New York, 2003
• BEd: (Intermediate/Junior/Senior): Manhattanville College, Purchase, New York, 2003
• AAS Jewelry Design: Fashion Institute of Technology, N.Y.C., New York, 2000
• 12 years teaching experience
• CultureWorks since 2004
• Starbucks Order: Tall Chai

Janine DeForge, Vice Principal

Janine has lived in Southern Ontario for most of her life. After graduating from the Faculty of Education at UWO, she taught at an elementary school for one year in Waterloo, Ontario. She then moved to Korea and taught English as a Foreign Language to middle school students and coordinated conversation workshops and camps for Korean English teachers. After two years in Korea, she returned to London and started teaching with the CultureWorks team in 2005.

Qualifications

• CELTA
• B.Ed. UWO, 2001
• Honours B.F.A. Studio Art/Art History, University of Guelph, 2000
• B.A. Psychology, UWO, 1998
• Starbucks Order: Iced Vanilla Latte

Stan Rath, Co-ordinator of Instruction

Stan became interested in teaching through his volunteer work. He has volunteered with multicultural education programs for over 12 years. Through his work as a Senior Volunteer Trainer, Stan has gained excellent experience in adult and cross-cultural education. He has lived and worked in India, Southern Africa, Mexico and the Bahamas. Stan loves teaching CultureWorks multicultural classes. In his spare time, Stan enjoys traveling, hiking and correcting other people's grammar.

Qualifications

• Certificate in Second Language Teaching: The University of Western Ontario, 1997
• B.Sc (Biology): The University of Western Ontario, 1989
• 21 years experience in adult education
• 11 years experience teaching ESL
• CultureWorks since 1999
• Starbucks Order: Grande Mocha with cinnamon

Brandy Allen, Instructor

Brandy was born in St. Catharines, Ontario, but relocated to London Ontario in 2001. Her background in Tourism and her work as a Travel Agent for a small Latin-American agency sparked an interest to teach English in Mexico. Having enjoyed the experience of teaching adults from another culture, Brandy decided that she would like to teach international students in Canada. Brandy knows all about the joy and pain of life as an international student because she spent her third year of university studying in France. When Brandy is not teaching, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, facilitating workshops, hiking, travelling, live theatre, and reading.

Qualifications

• B.Ed (Adult Education): Brock University, 2007
• B.A. (French): Brock University, 1998
• TESL Ontario Certification: G.A. Wheable, 2003
• TESOL Certificate: Languages International, 2000
• Travel and Tourism Diploma: Niagara College, 2000
• 9 years teaching experience
• 1 year teaching English in Mexico
• CultureWorks since 2007
• Starbuck's Order: Cafe Mocha (any size)

Michael Darling, Instructor

Michael was born in Montreal, Quebec and attended school there and in Neuchatel, Switzerland. He has travelled widely in Europe and enjoys the culture and art of other countries. Michael has many years of teaching experience at the college and university level, including three years in the English department at UWO. He is the author of four books, and he particularly enjoys reading detective fiction.

Qualifications

• BA (English): McGill U, 1972
• MA (English): McGill U, 1974
• PhD (English): York U, 1979
• TESL Certificate: UWO, 2004
• 23 years teaching experience
• CultureWorks since 2004
• Starbucks Order: White chocolate mocha latte with lots of whipped cream!

Sonia Edwards, Instructor

Sonia was born and raised in London, Ontario. Growing up in a Portuguese family, Sonia has always had a passion for learning other languages and cultures. She received her degree in Spanish and French at The University of Western Ontario. In 1998, Sonia lived and studied in Spain. In 2004, she lived and taught English in Korea to Elementary school students, as well as adults. Sonia enjoys teaching English as a second language and in her spare time she enjoys cooking, watching reality television shows, and making scrapbooks.

Qualifications

• B.A. Hons (Spanish and French): The University of Western Ontario, 2002
• B.Ed (Primary/Junior): University of Windsor, 2003
• ESL Part 1, Additional Qualification: The University of Western Ontario, 2005
• 5 years teaching experience
• CultureWorks since 2005
• Starbucks Order: Tall non-fat latte

Paul Findlay, Instructor

Paul was born in Kingston, Jamaica. He moved to Canada as a teenager and completed his high school education in Sarnia. Paul has spent five years teaching in Japan and many years traveling in Asia and Australia. Paul's interests include hiking and traveling.

Qualifications

• TESL Ontario Certification, 2009
• BA: University of Western Ontario
• BEd: University of Newcastle, Australia
• Masters in Geographic Information Systems, Sir S. Fleming
• TESOL certification
• CultureWorks since 2008
• Starbucks Order: Chai Latte

Joanna Lewis, Instructor

Joanna was born and raised in London, Ontario in a Greek-Canadian family. Given her family’s background, Joanna has always been fascinated by foreign cultures and languages, particularly French and Spanish, which she studied at U.W.O. During that time, she also lived and studied in Granada, Spain where she first discovered her passion for teaching. Joanna furthered her love of language working as a translator. Now, she is happiest sharing experiences with students in the classroom. In her spare time, Joanna enjoys travelling, watching movies and cooking.

Qualifications

• TESL Ontario Certification, 2009
• Additional Qualification Certification: ESL Part 1
• B.Ed (Intermediate/Secondary) in French and Spanish from the University of Western Ontario, 2006
• M.A. in Spanish Translation from the University of Ottawa, 2005
• Honours B.A. in French and Spanish from the University of Western Ontario, 2004
• 3 years teaching experience
• CultureWorks since 2008
• Starbucks Order: Cinnamon Dolce Latte

Derek Martin, Instructor

Derek taught English in the mountains of rural Japan from '93 to '96. Every summer he returns there to co-facilitate summer camps and English exchange programs. He has also helped to co-ordinate various travel exchange programs between Canada and Japan. His interests include creating, sharing, and performing music, as well as physical activities like running, biking, rollerblading, hiking, and camping.

Qualifications

• TESL Ontario Certification, 2002
• B.Ed (Primary/Junior): York University, 1997
• ESL Certificate: Canadian Institute of English, 1997
• TEFL Certificate: International Learning Institute, 1995
• B.A. Socio-Cultural Anthropology: University of Toronto, 1993
• Intercultural Development Inventory Qualified Administrator, 1996
• TESL London Executive member, 1999 to 2006
• 28 years teaching experience
• CultureWorks since 1998
• Starbucks Order: Vanilla Crèame (Has only been there once!)

Joel Melton, Instructor

Joel was born in Petrolia, Ontario, about 20 minutes from the American border. After graduating from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts degree and certification in TESL, he moved to rural Japan and taught English to students in local elementary and junior high schools. He then returned to Toronto and taught ESL at a private language school to students from many parts of the world. Joel moved to London in the summer of 2006 and was happy to join the CultureWorks team. In his free time, Joel enjoys watching movies, taking pictures and keeping in touch with his international friends.

Qualifications

• B.Ed (Primary/Junior) University of Windsor, 2006
• Teaching English as a Second Language Certification, University of Toronto, 2001
• Honours B.A. Linguistics/Japanese Studies, University of Toronto, 2000
• Two years teaching EFL in Japan
• 7 years teaching experience
• CultureWorks since 2006
• Starbucks Order: Chai Latte (or a Gingerbread Latte during the holiday season!)

Olivia Trzcianowski, Instructor

Olivia was born in Neukirchen, Austria. She was raised in London, Ontario. She has spent time studying in Poland and Spain. After graduating from the University of Western Ontario, Olivia taught English in Mexico for two years. Having Polish immigrant parents and studying languages abroad has helped Olivia understand what international students go through. In her spare time Olivia likes baking and travelling.

Qualifications

• TESL Ontario Certification, 2009
• ESL Part 1, Additional Qualification: The University of Western Ontario, 2007
• B. Ed (Secondary, English/Spanish) University of Western Ontario 2007
• Honours BA (Comparative Literature/Spanish) University of Western Ontario 2004
• 5 years teaching experience
• CultureWorks since 2007
• Starbucks Order: Tall lactose-free London Fog

Elaine Wilson, Instructor

Elaine was born and raised in Toronto, and began her career as a French teacher with the London Board of Education. After having a family, she worked as a law clerk before resuming her teaching career in China. Her training in teaching language is now being put to good use at CultureWorks where she focuses on the Canadian Studies component of the program. When she’s not working, Elaine loves to kayak, canoe, hike, camp and attempt the game of golf.

Qualifications

• B.A. French and Economics: University of Western Ontario, 1968
• B.Ed (Primary/Secondary): University of Toronto, 1969
• ESL Certification: Lambton College, 2001
• 17 years teaching experience
• CultureWorks since 2002
• Starbucks Order: Caffe Vanilla Frappuccino Blended Coffee as big as possible!

Deb Leeming, Educational Representative Relations Manager

Deb's background is in law where she worked as a law clerk for 26 years. Having raised her 3 children, and participated in many cultural exchanges and hosting experiences, she has joined CultureWorks where her interest in other cultures and her enjoyment of people in general is being satisfied. Deb's interest in other cultures has lead her to pursue studies in Intercultural Communications. Deb loves to travel any chance she gets, but when traveling is not possible, she enjoys spending time at the family cottage.

• CultureWorks since 2005
• Starbucks Order: Caramel Macchiato

Lauren Williams, Registrar

Lauren was born and raised in London, ON. She graduated from the University of Western Ontario with her Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Language & Literature in 2007. She then went on to complete her Bachelor of Education at the University of Windsor in 2009. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, baking, and spending time with her friends and family.

• CultureWorks since 2010
• Starbucks Order: Tall Skinny Vanilla Latte

Liz Macedo, Student Services Co-ordinator

Liz Macedo was born and raised in London Ontario. Having spent 17 years in the Newspaper/ Magazine industry she is well versed in all aspects from sales to accounting and finance. Ultimately it was her love of people that prompted her to make the move to customer relations and finally CutlureWorks ESL where she is now able to satisfy her need to interact and relate to others. Still in the process of raising two children and loving it, she also loves travel, family, friends and time at the cottage.

• CultureWorks since 2008
• Starbucks Order: Tall Pumpkin Spice Latte

Kim Resendes, Marketing and Communications Officer

Kim was born and raised in London, Ontario. She graduated from Brescia University College at the University of Western Ontario with her Bachelor of Arts English degree in 2006. She then went on to complete a Corporate Communication and Public Relations Ontario College Graduate Certificate at Fanshawe College in 2007. Kim enjoys travelling and spending time with family, friends and her Golden Retriever.

• CultureWorks since 2008
• Starbucks Order: Tall Caramel Apple Spice