Board Members - 2025

Max Rhinehart President president@watesol.org	Max is an instructor at American University’s English Language Training Academy and International Accelerator Program. After studying Spanish and English as an undergraduate, he earned a Masters degree in Applied Linguistics from Ohio University. He has taught English to students of diverse backgrounds in Ohio, North Carolina, and here in Washington, DC.	American University
Melissa Hauke Past President pastpresident@watesol.org	Melissa is a high school ESOL Resource Teacher for Fairfax County Public Schools. In addition to teaching high school, she has also taught elementary, university and adult students. She is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Macedonia 2007-2009), an English Language Fellow (Russia) and an English Language Specialist (Thailand). She has an MS in Education in Reading and an M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction.	Fairfax County Public Schools
Kathleen Kearney Vice President vicepresident@watesol.org	Kathleen F. Kearney teaches at Georgetown University’s English Language Center and volunteers at the Washington English Center. She was co-editor of The Definite Article (WATESOL's newsletter) from 2022-2024. She has taught young learners in DC public charter schools and DC Public Schools, and In 2018 and 2019, she taught English communication skills to K-12 English teachers in the Panamá Bilingüe program. She has also taught for the State Department as an online instructor for Education USA-Russia, the Republic of Angola's Ministry of Economy and Planning, and an international exchange program for K-12 teachers on business and entrepreneurship in the English-language classroom. She holds an M.S. in literacy, culture, and language education and an M.A. in Russian history from Indiana University as well as professional certificates in TEFL and instructional design from Georgetown University. Kathleen is also serving as Newsletter Editor Emeritus and Special Advisor.	Georgetown University
John Simpson Recording Secretary recordingsecretary@watesol.org	John Simpson is an English Instructor at the International Center for Language Studies. A former Fulbright Specialist in Turkmenistan, English Language Specialist in Tajikistan, English Language Fellow in Côte d’Ivoire, Clinton Fellow in India, and Senior Fellow at the Asian University for Women in Bangladesh, John brings a wealth of international TESOL experience to WATESOL. From 2020-2021, John was the Director of the English-Speaking Nation Program with American Councils in Uzbekistan, and in 2023 he served as Director of the Professional Fellows Program for Economic Empowerment in the Middle East and North Africa. He holds a Master of Arts in International Studies from the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington and a Master of Education in TESOL from the Loyola College of Education at Seattle University.	ICLS
Sharla Rivera Treasurer treasurer@watesol.org	Sharla Rivera is an Assistant Professor and Director of the Writing Lab at Georgetown University's School of Continuing Studies. She teaches oral skills at Georgetown's English Language Center, and oversees writing consultants for graduate students at the Writing Lab. She previously taught ESL at American University and Montgomery College. She holds an MA in TESOL from American University. Sharla has previously served in multiple other positions of the WATESOL Board, including Higher Ed SIG Co-Chair, Vice President, President, and Past President.	Georgetown University
Mayonne Granzo Membership Secretary membership@watesol.org	Mayonne Granzo currently works as an Education Program Coordinator at the US Department of State. She has over 10 years experience in instruction, training and course design and development. Mayonne previously served as an adjunct instructor at Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies where she taught courses in the Intensive English Program. She has served on the WATESOL board since 2023 as Professional Development co-chair.	U.S. Department of State
Tabitha Kidwell Communications Chair communications@watesol.org	Tabitha Kidwell is a faculty member in the TESOL program at American University. She holds a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics and Language Education from the University of Maryland, College Park. Her research focuses on language teacher education, particularly how language teachers are prepared to teach about culture. She has taught French, Spanish, and English to students ranging from pre-schoolers to adults, and has conducted professional development for language teachers in Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and the United States. Dr. Kidwell is a frequent presenter at regional and international TESOL conferences.	American University
Marisa Lucian Professional Development Co-Chair pd@watesol.org	Marisa Lucian is a Learning Specialist at American University, and has a M.S.Ed. in TESOL from Temple University, focusing on intercultural communication and materials development. She has 9 years of TESOL teaching experience abroad, and volunteered with professional language teaching organizations in Japan.	American University
Olivia McClendon Professional Development Co-Chair pd@watesol.org	Olivia is an Accommodations Coordinator at American University and is concurrently pursuing an M.A. in International and Intercultural Communications from AU's School of International Service, specializing in Public Diplomacy and Transnational Education. With a B.A. in French and a Graduate Certificate in TESOL from Austin Peay State University, Olivia has gained a variety of educational and professional experiences. Olivia has worked in higher education for nearly 4 years, previously working in Student Success and as an Adjunct Instructor.	American University
Sheri Baxter Professional Development Associate	Sheri Baxter is currently a career federal government employee with a professional background as an airline pilot, college professor, and director of community-based non-profit organizations. She regularly volunteers in Washington DC, including teaching English with the Washington English Center and volunteers in a new country each year. She also has a Ph.D. and Masters degree in Public Policy.	Department of Transportation
Zhuoyu Yang Professional Development Associate
Xiaowen Chen (Sylvia) Newsletter Co-Editor newsletter@watesol.org	Xiaowen Chen (Sylvia) is a full-time doctoral candidate in the College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University, specializing in multicultural and multilingual education. She is currently working as a graduate assistant on the ACE-STEM and TTS projects. Prior to her Ph.D. program, she earned a master’s degree in TESOL from the University of Pennsylvania. Her research focuses on supporting international students in higher education with both content knowledge acquisition and English language development.	George Mason University
Lilia Ossa Newsletter Co-Editor newsletter@watesol.org	Lilia Ossa is a bilingual educator with over eight years of experience in English language education. Originally from Colombia, she holds an M.A. in TESOL from Temple University. She has a strong understanding of effective teaching methodologies, which she has implemented across diverse educational settings in both Latin America and the United States. Currently, Lilia serves as an EL specialist at Bridges Public Charter School, where she supports English learners, including dual-identified students who receive both English language and special education services.	Bridges Public Charter School
Nataliia Cherevko Newsletter Assistant
Louise Godley Newsletter Assistant
Jun Zhang Higher Ed SIG Co-Chair higheredsig@watesol.org	Jun Zhang is a teacher and researcher specializing in multilingual learner instruction, curriculum development, and teacher professional development. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Curriculum and Instruction, where her research focuses on fostering collaboration between ESL and mainstream teachers through professional learning frameworks. With extensive experience supporting multilingual learners, Jun Zhang integrates culturally responsive pedagogy and language acquisition strategies into middle school mathematics instruction. Her work emphasizes formative assessment, scaffolding, and differentiated instruction to enhance learning outcomes for students with limited English proficiency.	DCPS
Michelle Chan Higher Ed SIG Co-Chair higheredsig@watesol.org	Michelle Chan has been working in the field of TESOL and higher education for over a decade. Prior to her current position as an Instructional Associate with the Writing, Reading, and Language Center at Montgomery College, she was an Associate Professor of English and English Language Acquisition at San Diego City College. Her teaching experiences abroad include working as a Language Assistant in France and Peace Corps TEFL Volunteer in Jordan. Michelle holds an M.A. in TESOL from American University.	Montgomery College
Maria E. Silva K-12 SIG Co-Chair k12sig@watesol.org	Maria E. Silva is an English teacher and a Specialist in Foreign Language Teaching from Venezuela. She teaches Spanish for the District of Columbia Public Schools. Mrs. Silva participated in the Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program at George Mason University, the Youth Ambassador Program in Tennessee, and English Teaching trainings with the University of Oregon. She was an active member of VENTESOL (Venezuelan Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages), volunteering for English teachers’ professional development, workshops, and conventions.	District of Columbia Public Schools
M.J. Park K-12 SIG Co-Chair k12sig@watesol.org	MJ Park has worked in the English education field for more than 20 years. After earning her MA degree in TESOL from New York University, she has taught a broad spectrum of students with multicultural and multilingual backgrounds. She is currently teaching young adolescents ELD and English at a middle school in Montgomery County Public Schools. MJ has been in the DC metro area for over 10 years, and her past workplaces include New York University, Columbia College, American University, and Montgomery College. This year, her focus is how to integrate the community's support into the classroom.	Montgomery College Montgomery County Public Schools
Mason Zhou Adult Ed SIG Co-Chair adultedsig@watesol.org	Mason Zhou is currently working as an adult ESL Teacher at The Next Step Public Charter School in Washington, D.C. His educational background encompasses both China and the USA. He obtained a Master's degree from American University after completing AU's MA TESOL program in December, 2021.	The Next Step Public Charter School
Darlene Fahrenkrug Adult Ed SIG Co-Chair adultedsig@watesol.org	Darlene is the Lead Adult ESL Specialist at the Arlington Education and Employment Program (REEP). She has taught adult multilingual learners in private organizations, public schools, and non-profits. She has a Master's degree in English (Linguistics) and a Graduate Certificate in TESOL from GMU, as well as a CELTA. Her research interests include Open Educational Resources (OER), digital resilience, professional development, assessment, and culturally responsive teaching. She looks forward to serving the WATESOL Adult Ed SIG and building our community across the DMV.	Arlington Education and Employment Program (REEP)
[Currently Vacant] NNEST Caucus Liason nnest@watesol.org
Mingzhu Deng Advocacy Chair advocacy@watesol.org	Mingzhu Deng Ph.D. is an Assistant Teaching Professor of the MA in Educational Transformation Program at Georgetown University. Her teaching and research focus on critical teacher education pedagogies and critical policy analysis to advance lived and educational experiences of language-minoritized, immigrant children and youths.	Georgetown University
Krisztina Domjan Archivist archives@watesol.org	Krisztina is an educator and advocate of inclusive pedagogy. She has experience in a range of educational settings: higher, adult, and secondary education of civilian and military learners; in Hungary, in England, in Germany (military base) and in the USA. She teaches International Communication, Intercultural Studies, Research Writing, Composition and Discussion courses at American University. She enjoys sharing innovative and stimulating ideas and professional development resources with colleagues in professional learning circles. She has experience teaching in-person and online courses pre sessional, undergraduate and graduate students.	American University

2024 Fall Conference Sponsors

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