Debra Deane

As the Director, I am happy to see so many ELI students start our classes with a little bit of English and leave with a lot of English --- enough to study at a university in the U.S.!

I am proud of all of the ELI students and teachers who work so hard to make this "language miracle" take place. I am amazed at how our teachers inspire the students to study hard and how the students inspire the teachers to give their all for their classes.

I feel grateful to be a part of the ELI and know that my life has been enriched by all the students I have met over the years.

You can contact me at deane@uakron.edu.

Martha McNamara

I've been teaching English as a second language for over 30 years. I've been in the ELI for the past 25 years. I often joke that I "never graduate"... and I'm very happy about that!

My favorite thing about teaching ESL is learning about our students, their countries and languages, their struggles with English and their impressions of the United States and Americans. I love to teach reading, writing, and even grammar. When I'm not in the ELI office, I like to read and exercise. I especially enjoy running. When I'm on a long run of 6 to 10 miles, I have lots of time to think of exciting new homework assignments for ELI students!

You can contact me at mmcnamara@uakron.edu.

Sherri Niesz

The past nine years in the ELI have been the most rewarding of the 19 years I have been an employee of The University of Akron. The best part of my job is meeting all the wonderful students from around the world! Although I have not traveled to other countries, our international students help me experience their cultures -- right here in Akron! In my spare time, I love to vacation to the beach, read books, and enjoy music and cultural events.

You can contact me at sniesz@uakron.edu.

Lisa Brown

I am an Akron woman through and through -- in fact, I was born in Akron Citizens' Hospital! After graduating with a bachelor's degree in Japanese and Asian Studies, I began my career as in English teacher in a small fishing and rice farming village in Japan. In 2005, I moved back to the United States and began teaching at The University of Akron.

My favorite part of teaching at the English Language Institute is watching students from all corners of the world develop their confidence in their ability to communicate with each other and share their cultures with one another. My second favorite part, of course, is giving homework!

In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, reading, bicycling, studying languages, volunteering, and making new friends. I received my master's degree in Higher Education Administration in 2007.

You can contact me at lisabrown2@aol.com.

Carol Fain

Carol Fain has taught grammar, reading, and writing at the English Language Institute for many years. She knows her English grammar rules "inside and out," so if you ever have a grammar question, ask Carol!

Because Carol lived and worked in Germany for several years, she knows firsthand the rewards and challenges of living in another country and trying to communicate through another language.

Carol and her husband Ron live outside of Cleveland. Her three children are grown and pursuing their own careers. In 2007, Carol became a proud grandmother.

You can contact Carol at clf1012@yahoo.com.

Linda Gotthardt-Allende

I taught ESL for many years at Ashland University. I have moved to Canton, where I live with my husband Abraham and my cat Milagros. I enjoy traveling, exercising, reading, getting to know international students and giving homework.

You can contact me at lgotthar@ashland.edu.

Emily Green

Emily Green has taught all the English language skill areas, but in the ELI, she usually teaches writing and listening. In her writing classes she enjoys reading her students' interesting ideas through their journal entries and essays.

Emily has lived and traveled in several Spanish-speaking countries: Chile, Costa Rico, and Guatemala. Her overseas experiences help her understand the challenges that her students face as they adjust to life in Akron.

You can contact Emily at emily@cjgreen.net.

Rebecca Jenkins

I've been teaching and tutoring English for over 20 years. I've been with the ELI since 2002. I also work at the International Institute as an Immigration Counselor, advising non-citizens about U.S. immigration law. Obviously, I enjoy working with people from around the world! I also enjoy bicycling, reading, gardening and spending time with my husband and our son and daughter.

I lived in Osaka, Japan for over two years, teaching English. I often share with my students the difficulty I had learning Japanese. In fact, one of my favorite stories is when I went to the market to buy carrots. Because the words for "carrots" and "human beings" sound alike, I mistakenly asked if I could buy some "human beings"! This true story illustrates an important aspect in second language learning -- don't be afraid to make mistakes!

You can contact me at rjenkins2@neo.rr.com.

Jennifer Lee

It has been a privilege and a lot of fun to teach reading and listening with the ELI. I enjoy getting to meet a new group of students every semester and being a part of reaching their goals at The The University of Akron. Every day, as I teach new things to my students, I get to learn new things from them about their countries and cultures. What an adventure!

I taught conversational English in Hungary for four years, so I have some experience in what it is like to live in another country far away from home. Learning some Hungarian was very difficult, so I also have a great appreciation for what my students are doing to become students at the university level in another language.

I got my TESL certificate here at The University of Akron when I got back from Hungary and have enjoyed putting my learning into practice here with the ELI.

You can contact me at imjenlee@hotmail.com.

Joan Ogg

Teaching English to international students is so rewarding. It's not every job that affords you the opportunity to go "all around the world" in just one, fifty-minute class period! ESL does. For the past 14 years, that's what I've been doing--teaching English as a Second Language and learning from my students all about their rich cultures and amazing homelands.

Presently, I'm living near Akron, Ohio with my husband and four-year-old son. I teach English Grammar at the English Language Institute and am an Academic Adviser in the University College.

No matter what country you're coming from, I want to welcome you to The University of Akron!

You can contact me at jogg@uakron.edu.

Dr. Kenneth Pakenham

Dr. Ken came to The University of Akron by way of Belfast, Northern Ireland and Pittsburgh, PA. He enjoys teaching reading and helping his students develop their skills and strategies. In addition to his ELI teaching, Dr. Ken is an associate professor in the Department of English, where he teaches linguistics courses.

When he is not teaching, Dr. Ken can be found on the ski slopes in the winter. Although he is the oldest member of the ELI faculty, he is an expert skier!

You can contact Dr. Ken at kpakenham@uakron.edu.

Julia Paramonov

I graduated from the Ohio State University with a BA in Spanish in 2002. Around the same time, I began teaching ESL and Spanish as a foreign language for a private language school.

I enjoyed teaching so much that I joined the Peace Corps and became an EFL educator in the village of Gubadag, in the northern part of Turkmenistan. After completing my service, I returned to the United States and earned an MA in Applied Linguistics and ESL at Georgia State University.

I joined the ELI in August 2007 and feel lucky to be part of such a wonderful group of students and teachers! I enjoy meeting students from all over the world and hope to help them as they work to achieve their goals.

You can contact me at jnp@uakron.edu.

Leanne Price

Leanne started teaching in the ELI in Spring 2006. Although she's a native Ohioan, she has lived in other places: Vermont, Massachusetts, and China.

Leanne can teach all the language skills, but she really enjoys teaching listening. She knows that good listening ability is the key to our students gaining confidence and being successful in their new country.

When Leanne is not teaching in the ELI, she enjoys spending time with her husband Cole and her three young children.

You can contact Leanne at ohio75ers@msn.com.

Debbie Rozner

My path to teaching ESL began when I started learning another language myself. I lived in Germany when I was a teenager. Going to school in Germany really opened my eyes to how long and difficult the process of learning a foreign language is. I studied German at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and then I returned to Germany to teach English on a Fulbright scholarship.

I absolutely love teaching ESL. Every semester is different because of the new mix of personalities and cultures. I feel lucky to be part of my students' learning every day. One day I would love to visit the many fascinating countries my students come from. I admire the ELI students for traveling so far from home to study here.

When I'm not teaching, I take care of my two daughters and two sheepdogs. If there is any free time left after these two busy jobs, I like reading and playing board games.

You can contact me at mattikod@hotmail.com.

Tom Swinscoe

I have been teaching English as a second language (ESL) for over 20 years. I first taught ESL at the University of Pittsburgh, where I received my TESL certification and an MA in Linguistics.

I have taught part time for the English Language Institute at The University of Akron since 1990. I have always held another position at the same time -- English composition instructor, computer software instructor, Education Coordinator at the International Institute of Akron and my current position of Staff Development Coordinator at Oriana House, Inc.

Although teaching ESL has long been my "second job," it will always be my "first love." I enjoy all kinds of teaching, but I especially enjoy teaching ESL. People tell me that my personality shines in the classroom -- I become a performer. Maybe I'm an actor at heart!

You can contact me at thomasswinscoe@orianahouse.org .