Board Members - 2026

Kathleen Kearney President president@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
Max Rhinehart Past President pastpresident@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
Tabitha Kidwell Vice President vicepresident@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
Viann Casteel Recording Secretary recordingsecretary@watesol.org	Viann Casteel is an MA TESOL student at American University and a volunteer English teacher at the Washington English Center in Washington, D.C. Before moving to the United States, she briefly taught as an elementary teacher in the Philippines. Being bilingual herself, she is deeply passionate about multilingual approaches that support and celebrate learners’ linguistic backgrounds.	American University
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
Katherine Wise Membership Secretary membership@watesol.org	Katherine Wise is currently an ESOL Instructor with Solutions in Hometown Connections (SHC), International Language Institute, Maryland (ILIMD), and WUMCO Help, Inc. She continues to volunteer with Washington English Center where she began teaching ESOL in 2021. Katherine specializes in Adult Language Learning and focuses on community and resource connections for learners. Katherine’s background is in Communications and Multimedia Production for Non-Governmental Organizations and nonprofits. In addition to her TESOL certificate, she holds a Bachelor’s in Journalism and International Studies.	Solutions in Hometown Connections
Sheri Baxter Communications Chair communications@watesol.org	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
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
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
Laura Isabel English Newsletter Co-Editor newsletter@watesol.org	Laura brings extensive experience teaching ESL abroad and has recently completed her graduate studies with a focus on business. She has also supported a newsletter edition in the past.
Louise Godley Newsletter Associate
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
Zhuoyu Yang Higher Ed SIG Co-Chair higheredsig@watesol.org	Zhuoyu Yang is a second year EdD student in Curriculum and Instruction at The George Washington University, focusing on teacher professional learning and the integration of artificial intelligence in second language education. Her research explores how AI-enhanced professional development can support EFL teachers’ instructional design, professional identity, and well-being. She has experience teaching cross-cultural communication and applied English at the university level, as well as facilitating teacher learning communities in both China and the U.S. Zhuoyu is passionate about advancing equitable, technology-supported learning environments for teachers and students.Since joining WATESOL, she has been inspired to contribute even more and continue growing through service.	George Washington University
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)
Kasia Helbin-Travis Adult Ed SIG Co-Chair adultedsig@watesol.org	Katarzyna (Kasia) Helbin-Travis is an ESOL instructor with over two decades of international teaching and training experience across three continents. She holds B.A. degrees in Theater Arts and TESOL, an M.Sc. from SUNY Buffalo, and a CELTA. Since 2023, Kasia has taught adult ESOL classes—including literacy level—in Northern Virginia at the English Empowerment Center (EEC), Lutheran Social Services, and Women for Afghan Women. She currently serves as Academic Support Coordinator and ESOL literacy instructor at the EEC, overseeing tutoring programs and supporting learners’ independent study skills.	English Empowerment Center
Nataliia Cherevko NNEST Caucus Liason nnest@watesol.org	Nataliia Cherevko is an ESOL Specialist at the Washington English Center and an ESL Instructor for FCPS. She has over 15 years of extensive experience as a teacher trainer, providing professional development and mentorship to educators worldwide. A TEDx Ukraine speaker, she is also the author and host of renowned TV programs in Ukraine, “English on the Run” and “2-Minute English.”Nataliia is the founder of a private language school in Ukraine, where she spearheaded a series of high-profile, large-scale professional development events for ESL educators. She holds a master’s degree in ESL from Chernihiv State University in Ukraine.	Washington English Center
Mingzhu Deng Advocacy Co-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
Ashley Frost Advocacy Co-Chair advocacy@watesol.org	Dr. Ashley Frost is an English Learner Teacher in Arlington Public Schools. She is an enthusiastic career switcher who returned to the K–12 classroom after 14 years in the U.S. Government Foreign Service. She brings deep expertise in multilingual and multicultural leadership, and she has led education and health programs in Central America, West Africa, and Southern Africa, managing annual investments from $10 million to $300+ million. Dr. Frost creates inclusive and engaging learning environments, and she draws on her lifelong love of language learning and her global experience. Dr. Frost is fluent in Spanish and has working proficiency in French. She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology and Demography from Penn State.	Arlington Public Schools
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

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