CultureWorks - English as a Second Language School, London Ontario, Canada

Matthew Bazely
Principal

Matt was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Canada. He has spent many years travelling and teaching in Asia and Australia. Matthew's interests include computers and cooking.

Qualifications:
MEd: University of Toronto
BEd: University of La Trobe, Australia, 2001
Honours BA (Political Science): The University of Western Ontario, 1996
Teaching ESL in a junior high school in Japan, 1997-2000
10 years teaching experience
CultureWorks since 2002
Starbucks Order: Venti Coffee, Strong, Cream only

Liz Johnson
Instructor / Coordinator of Curriculum

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:
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
10 years teaching experience
CultureWorks since 2004
Starbucks Order: Tall Chai

Stan Rath
Instructor / Coordinator 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
18 years experience in adult education
9 years experience teaching ESL
CultureWorks since 1999
Starbucks Order: Grande Mocha with cinnamon

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
18 years teaching experience
CultureWorks since 2004
Starbucks Order: White chocolate mocha latte with lots of whipped cream!

Janine DeForge
Instructor

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:
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

Ana Enriquez-Johnson
Instructor

Ana began teaching at an early age when she was a swimming, first aid instructor and lifeguard with the Canadian Red Cross Society. She became interested in teaching English through her travel experiences and volunteer work in Northern Africa and Latin America. In her spare time Ana enjoys the outdoors, photography, and learning about ancient cultures and history.

Qualifications:

B. Ed (Adult Education): Brock University, 2006 B.A (Socio-Cultural
Anthropology/Religion): Carleton University, 2002 Professional ESL
Certificate: The University of Western Ontario, 2004
7 years teaching experience
CultureWorks since 2003
Starbuck's Order: Grande Hot Chocolate, YES with whipped cream!

Brandy Kowalchuk
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, Brandy 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
7 years teaching experience
1 year teaching English in Mexico
CultureWorks since 2007
Starbuck's Order: Cafe Mocha (any size)

Brad Jennings
Instructor

Brad was born in London, Ontario. He began his full-time teaching career as an aid and development worker in southern China, where he worked for nearly 6 years.  While overseas he worked with Voluntary Service Overseas, The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, and taught for the Department of Education for New Brunswick.

Qualifications:
M.Ed.: The University of Toronto
B.Ed: University of Ottawa (Intermediate/Senior), 1999
B.A.: The University of Western Ontario, 1996
7 years teaching experience
CultureWorks since 2005
Starbucks Order: Regular Coffee (Double Double)

Derek Martin
Instructor, TESL London Representative

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:
B.Ed (Primary/Junior): York University, 1997
TESL 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
CultureWorks since 1998
Starbucks Order: Vanilla Crème (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
5 years teaching experience
CultureWorks since 2006
Starbucks Order:  Chai Latte (or a Gingerbread Latte during the holiday season!)

Renee Moir
Instructor

Renee was born and raised in London, Ontario. She spent four years teaching in Japan and Australia. During those four years, while traveling throughout Asia Renee found her passion for learning about other cultures, which has brought her back to London to teach at CultureWorks.  Her interests include spending time with her 2 daughters, playing soccer and traveling whenever possible.

Qualifications:
B.Ed (Primary/Junior): University of La Trobe, Australia, 2001
Honours B.A. (Sociology): The University of Western Ontario, King's College, 1995
Teaching ESL in a junior high school in Japan, 1997-2000.
7 years teaching experience
CultureWorks since 2001
Starbucks Order: Apple cider with whipping cream

Lillian Sekli
Instructor

Lillian was born and raised in London, Ontario, but then moved on to live in the cities of Toronto and Ottawa where she worked in the insurance and high tech industries.  Her work with international clients inspired her interest in teaching foreign students.  She took her English language teaching certificate in Spain in order to have first hand experience teaching foreign students. She then went on to work in South Korea and in Poland. Lillian is a member of the organization IATEFL (International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language).  Lillian likes to maintain an active lifestyle and enjoys running, cycling and hiking.  She has also participated in volunteer programs working with handicapped children

Qualifications:
Currently studying for a Masters in Applied Linguistics and TESOL B.A. in French
Carleton University CELTA certificate (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults)
Two years teaching English in South Korea
One year teaching English in Poland
Summer teaching in Spain
6.5 years teaching experience
CultureWorks since 2003
Starbuck's Order: Cappuccino, non-fat milk, no sugar, with a dusting of cinnamon

Donna Sevenpifer
Instructor

Donna knows what it's like to be a language learner having been raised by Italian immigrants. Now making London her home, she has spent time away including eighteen months in Seoul, Korea, where she primarily taught English to businessmen and university students, and 1 year of ESL instruction in London, England. Donna's passion for travelling and learning about other cultures is supported by her B.A. in Anthropology.

Qualifications:
TESL Ontario Certificate: July, 2000
Combined Honors BA (English/Anthropology):
The University of Western Ontario, 1998
TOESL Certification: Canadian Institute of English, February, 1998
8 years teaching experience
CultureWorks since 1998
Starbucks Order: White Chocolate Mocha Latte

Sonia Sousa
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
3 years  teaching experience
CultureWorks since 2005
Starbucks Order: Tall non-fat latte

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
E.S.L. Certification: Lambton College, 2001
15 years teaching experience
CultureWorks since 2002
Starbucks Order: Caffè Vanilla Frappuccino® Blended Coffee as big as possible!

Brianne Bain
Registrar

Brianne has worked at CultureWorks for the past nine years, and is currently responsible for admissions and other registrarial duties within the program. She graduated from King's University College in 2002, where she studied psychology for four years.  Brianne is a huge hockey fan and spends a great deal of time with her family who live nearby in Sarnia, Ontario.

CultureWorks since 1998
Starbucks Order: Tall Non-Fat Cinnamon Dolce Latte, No Whip

Deb Leeming
Homestay Co-ordinator

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

Jeff Burrow
Student Services Co-ordinator

Jeff was born in Elmwood, Ontario (population 300) and has a degree in Business Administration. He has spent a year studying in Milan, a year working in Dublin and more recently working with international students in Waterloo and Toronto. Jeff also enjoys trips to Europe (Ireland and Italy), running, volleyball and attending concerts.

CultureWorks since 2005
Starbucks Order: Orange Mocha Chip Frappucino