Connect with us:

ITBE Board Election 2016

2016 Election Candidates for the ITBE Board

Voting will be open through Saturday, April 30.

 

Vice-President

Cory Long

BIo:
Cory Long has been teaching ESL professionally for 9 years.  He has his MA TESOL from Ball State University.  He has experience teaching in Secondary Education, Higher Education, and Adult Education and has taught in both China and the United States.  Most of his academic work has been in the fields of technology and content development.  He has worked to develop video games and web content for ESL learning, both as a job and in his free time.  He is passionate about the English Language Instruction and the various ways that new forms of media can aid in that.

Statement:
I believe that I’m currently a strong asset to ITBE in my capacity as Technology Chair.  I think as Convention Chair, and during the following year as President, I can work to help increase and improve the ways ITBE and Illinois ESL teachers use technology in the classroom.  I think my passion for service speaks for itself in terms of what I have already accomplished with ITBE: website content organization and webinars.  Finally, I think that given a chance, I can help ITBE to grow and improve and represent itself well when TESOL International comes to Chicago in 2018.
 
 

Member-at-Large (Vote for Three)

Shajaira López

Bio:
Shajaira López
[Sh?-h?-d? L?-p?s]  is an adjunct faculty in the ESL/Bilingual Department at Aurora University and an Educational Leadership Doctoral candidate at National Louis University.  Her research focus and specialties are in English language acquisition programs and Hispanic student and family involvement.  She received her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Northeastern Illinois University, and immediately after, became a middle school reading and language arts bilingual teacher at Inter-American Magnet School.  Born and raised in Panama, she received dual language instruction similar to the program at Inter-American.  Being an English learner and understanding the challenges of teaching a second language, she decided to pursue a Master’s in Bilingual/Bicultural Education so that she could better prepare herself to meet the cultural and linguistic needs of her students.  She was also a bilingual teacher at Marvin Camras Children’s Engineering School, and later served as an assistant principal for Charter Schools USA and Berkeley School District 87.

As an educational leader, Shajaira was instrumental in reducing discipline infractions by implementing Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and logical consequences, coaching teachers to improve the academic achievement and classroom behavior of students with diverse needs, developing parent outreach programs, and overseeing programs for diverse learners.

Besides working in schools, Shajaira also served as an officer in the United States Army Reserves, delivered professional development sessions for Chicago Foundation for Education, and worked with Boundless Readers in order to train book club facilitators on ways to involve parents in book club discussions in their schools.

Statement:
Shajaira López would be an asset to ITBE because her main career objectives—to conduct research in order to add to the body of studies on English learners and language acquisition programs, and to work collaboratively with education professionals in order to share ways to address the academic needs of students from language diverse backgrounds through student engagement, teacher development, and parental empowerment—are directly in line with ITBE’s objectives to promote scholarship, disseminate information, and support research and instruction. In addition, Shajaira has ample experience organizing events, fundraisers, and professional development sessions, and she is not afraid to challenge the status quo, roll up her sleeves, and assist others in getting things accomplished.  

Kate Magnuson

Bio:
Kate Magnuson is currently an adjunct professor in the ESL departments at Oakton Community College and Harper College. She received her Master’s degree in TESOL/Linguistics in 2012 from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Kate has previously taught with SOLEX College and the Tutorium of Intensive English affiliated with the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is interested in the effective use of technology in education as well as finding engaging ways to motivate students. As a former musician, Kate is able to use live music in the classroom as a unique medium for engaging students in a variety of topics and academic content.

Statement:
I believe that I would be an asset to ITBE for a variety of reasons. First, as part of the ITBE board, I feel that I would be comfortable enough to contribute even as a new member. As a new instructor at Harper College, I was nervous to offer up suggestions to help the program. However, I decided to speak to one of the co-chairs about a change in the registration process, and my suggestion is now implemented as part of the process. My ability to adapt to new situations would allow me to contribute to ITBE by becoming involved tasks I would not normally handle. As a result of budget cuts, Harper lost some lab aides. I agreed to help out in the language lab during hours I would have normally spent tutoring. I was able to learn a new skill, and be flexible in an unusual situation. Lastly, my creativity can serve in any situation to work through problems and come up with innovative solutions. The more I have taught, the more I have realized that I would better serve my students if I found more creative methods of instruction. Each semester I have either found or created materials to supplement textbooks. These activities range from games to worksheets to music. In sum, I believe that I would be an asset to ITBE because I am confident, adaptable, and creative.

 

Erin O'Reilly

Bio:
Erin O’Reilly is the Director of the Intensive English Institute for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Previously, she held the positions of Associate Professor and Associate Dean of Faculty Development at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center in Monterey, California. This experience offered her a firsthand view of the intricacies involved in the language learning process from both the teacher and student perspectives. Erin's administrative roles include extensive work in intensive language program administration, faculty professional development, and self-access language learning. Prior to entering the professional TESOL field, Erin served in the U.S. Army as a multinational peacekeeping force in Egypt, where she came to appreciate the dynamic role of language and culture in our everyday lives.  Erin holds an MA in TESL from Arizona State University and a PhD in Education – ESL from Northcentral University.  She and her family are avid campers and enjoy exploring the rich history of Illinois through trips across the state.  


Statement:
Erin brings a broad set of experiences to the profession, including budgeting and problem-solving in times of economic uncertainty. Her current interests include teacher professional development and program administration in the changing landscape of the ESL profession. She recently presented on professional development at the annual ITBE conference. Erin views the opportunity to work with the ITBE organization as a way to engage, learn, and advocate with TESOL members across the state of Illinois.

Regina Ramos

Bio:
Currently, Regina is a full-time TESOL graduate student at Northeastern Illinois University and a data management associate at the College of American Pathologists. She is expected to graduate from Northeastern in December 2016. In 2012, Regina graduated with a B.A from NEIU in art and education. In 2014, she completed her certificate in teaching English to speakers of other languages (CELTA) certification at Teaching House Chicago. Though Regina has not taught as a full time teacher, she has teaching experience through Chicago Public Schools, The Golden Apple Foundation, Literacy Tutors of Lake County, The Vietnamese Association of Illinois, and Lakeview Learning Center in Chicago. 

Statement:
My lifelong goal is to provide ESL education to adults and children who are in utmost need of language education. I believe that every student deserves a top-notch education with knowledgeable and innovative teachers. I would be an asset to ITBE due to my current employment in a professional organization, my openness to new experiences, my passion to learn new skills, and my willingness to work with a variety of people. 

 

Debbie Sternecky

Bio:
Debbie Sternecky has been a board member of ITBE for six years, serving in various roles including Executive Secretary, Vice-President and Convention Chair, President and Advocacy Chair. On behalf of ITBE and TESOL, she has met with legislators in Washington, D.C., to advocate on behalf ELL and bilingual students. Currently, Debbie is an ELL teacher Naperville North High School in Naperville District 203, and has been with the district (formerly at the junior-high level) for nine years. Previously, Debbie taught in Bolingbrook and Plainfield. Debbie is a union representative of her school and is a member of her district’s PERA Joint Committee. Debbie has a B.S. Degree from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an M.S. ED. Degree from Northern Illinois University. Debbie has presented at both the ITBE and IRC statewide conventions.

Statement:
As a board member of ITBE for the past 6 years, I have been humbled to serve alongside dedicated professionals in our field. Through ITBE I learned many skills, including planning, organizing and leadership, and I would like to continue contributing these skills to this incredible organization.  
April Wilcoxen

Bio:
April Wilcoxen has been teaching English for over ten years. She got her start as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in South Korea. After deciding a desk job wasn't her thing, she start working as an Adult Education English teacher and that solidified her desire to become a more effective instructor. She earned her Master’s degree in TESOL from Azusa Pacific University as she was teaching English in South Korea. After spending almost six years in Korea, she returned to the U.S. and now enjoys empowering and encouraging her students to strengthen their English skills. She takes an active interest in using her life coaching skills to support students in areas of communication, problem-solving, and personal responsibility. When she's not doing funny things in the classroom to help her students learn, she loves food, yoga, fostering dogs, and watching birds.

Statement:

I can assist ITBE in producing the newsletter. I have an undergraduate background in graphic communications, so this can be a way for me to use my skills to support colleagues in my field.