International Education DepartmentGeneral Contact Information Niagara College Tel: (905) 735-2211, Ext. 7717
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ESL Staff & Teachers
David graduated from Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada in 1992, with a B.A. in History. He then continued his studies at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, U.S.A. in 1994 where he completed his Masters of Science in Education. He received a TESL Specialist Certificate from the Ontario Ministry of Education in 2000. David began his teaching career as a volunteer teacher in Kenya, Africa (1992) and as an ESL instructor in Wakayama, Japan (1996). Upon returning to Canada, he accepted a position with the Niagara Catholic District Board of Education as LINC Instructor and Program Co-ordinator. David began his appointment as and English as a Second Language Professor at Niagara College in September 2001. Carolyn studied at Brock University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in TESL and Sociology in 1990, a Bachelor of Education in TESL for adults in 1990 and a Bachelor of Education in teaching at the elementary school level in 1995. Carolyn has had teaching experiences which range from teaching English in Japan and Mexico, to classes for new immigrants to Canada, kindergarten class, intensive classes in English for Academic Purposes, and English for Special Purposes to small groups focused in hospitality. Carolyn officially joined this department in September 2003 and looks forward to helping students achieve their goals in language learning.
ESL Teachers
Betty Ann is a graduate of the Mack School of Nursing, Niagara College, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada and worked as a Registered Nurse until 1984. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Niagara University, Niagara Falls, New York, U.S.A. and taught nursing at Niagara College for another 13 years. After receiving her TESL Certificate from Humber College in 1997, she began to teach in all areas of study in the International Education Department of Niagara College. Betty Ann has a profound passion for teaching and for her students. She has been able to transfer many of her nursing skills in terms of caring, being compassionate, and having a sense of humor in the classroom. Her philosophy is "if you treat students with patience and kindness, they will learn."
Shari's education and professional training include a B.A. and B.Ed. in TESL from Brock University (1989/1990) and a B.Ed./OTC from the University of Toronto (1994). Since graduating, Shari has had the pleasure of teaching English as a Second Language to students in Japan, Thailand and Switzerland as well as Canada. Her favorite part of working at Niagara College is watching people from different countries learn about each other and create wonderful, lifelong, international friendships.
Donna graduated from Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada with degrees in English Literature and Teaching English as a Second Language. She also holds an education degree from the Faculty of Education at Brock University. Donna has taught general English and English for academic purposes at secondary and post secondary institutions in the Middle East and Canada. She presently teaches ESL at Niagara College. About her job, Donna says, "The best part is helping international students to achieve their goals. This is very rewarding for me."
Frank has a degree in Information Technology from St.Clair College, and an Honours BA in Linguistics/TESL from Brock University. He is also working on his M.Ed. TESL with plans to finish in 2004. He learned English as a subsequent language to Swiss, German, and French when he moved to Canada in his teens. Frank began his teaching at Brock with a special program of high school students from Japan, and has been teaching English as a Second and Foreign Language in both Canada and the P.R.C. for the past four years.
Lynn graduated from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada with a B.A. in English in 1988. In 1992, she continued her studies at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada with a Bachelor of Education degree in Teaching English as a Second Language. Lynn completed her Masters of Science in Education degree in 1993 at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, U.S.A. and then accepted a position with the Niagara Catholic District School Board as a LINC instructor. In July 2002, Lynn began her appointment as an ESL professor at Niagara College. Susan graduated with Bachelor of Arts and Education degrees from the University of Western Ontario. She began her career teaching French to junior high school students, and then pursued her qualifications teaching English as a Second Language from York and Brock Universities. She considers herself very fortunate to have been able to teach English in Mali, Brazil and Japan. Since 1991, Susan has been enjoying teaching English as a Second Language to international students at Niagara College. She finds working with international students to be extremely rewarding. “I see such a great improvement in students’ competence in English … as they struggle with language and cultural issues; they become more confident and capable global citizens.”
Wendy is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada with a B.A. in Anthropology and Linguistics. She continued her studies at Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada completing a B.Ed TESL. Wendy has taught English as a Second Language in a variety of settings for 12 years. She spent four of those years teaching English in Fukushima, Japan before joining Niagara College as a full-time ESL professor.
Alex graduated from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education (TESL), then later earned a Master's degree in Linguistics from the University of Birmingham (UK). A native Montréaler, Alex has lived and taught in England, Mexico, northern Québec and Japan. He's excited to join the team at Niagara College. |
David Atherton, Acting Chair, ESL Programmes 
Carolyn Ambrose, ESL Coordinator 
Betty Ann Chandler
Shari Virtue
Donna Grant
Frank Bieri
Lynn Otto
Susan Vandenboom 
Wendy Hounsham
Alex MacGregor 
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